Conspiracy theories are like springtime dandelions; they crop up, spread and, despite all the best efforts to get rid of them, they keep coming back.
In one way, conspiracy theories make sense because they appeal to the human inclination to look for patterns. According to Psychology Today, “We want the patterns we see to fit together — this gives the universe order and a feeling of comfort. We prefer things to happen for a reason; ambiguity can bring uncertainty.â€
The more extreme outcomes of this behavior fuel fringe conspiracy theories: 9/11 was an inside job; the moon landing was faked; vaccines contain microchips; aliens built the pyramids; and on and on. There is no official number of widely held conspiracy theories in the United States, but estimates range from a few dozen to over 100.
Which brings me to the Justice Department’s release about the life and death of Jeffrey Epstein. The two-page memo concludes that the convicted pedophile did, in fact, die by suicide in jail and that a much-talked about “client list†does not exist.
“This systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list.'†There also was no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent people as part of his actions,†the DOJ and the FBI concluded.
That conclusion follows a statement by Attorney General Pam Bondi in February that a list of Epstein’s clients “is sitting on my desk right now,†and that President Donald Trump had issued a directive to release it. The White House even posted the clip on social media.
The conflicting statements are jet fuel for conspiracy theorists.
As Will Sommer reported in The Bulwark, “All of that has infuriated some of Donald Trump’s biggest supporters, who are alternately calling for Bondi to be fired, or accusing CIA Director John Ratcliffe of orchestrating a larger cover-up, or wondering if the tentacles of the Deep State reach far deeper than they previously believed.â€
For example, right-wing provocateur Tucker Carlson said on his podcast, “The current DOJ under Pam Bondi is covering up crimes, very serious crimes by their own description. Why are they doing that?†Axios reported. "As social media influencers and activists, Kash Patel (now the FBI's director) and Dan Bongino (now deputy director) were among those in MAGA world who questioned the official version of how Epstein died."
One theory embraced by some in conspiracy circles is that the Justice Department is denying the existence of the Epstein client list because Trump is on it. This reaction is just desserts for Trump and his administration. They have courted the far right and promoted their own share of conspiracy theories — the 2020 election was stolen, Barack Obama was born in Kenya, reposting of some QAnon machinations.
The whole mess has a circuitous irony to it. When someone of the stature of Trump promotes conspiracy theories, it gives credibility to the crazy, so that when the conspiracy focuses on Trump, the result is predictable.
Hoppy Kercheval is the retired host of "Talkline," on MetroNews.Â
