As the world grapples with the implications of the recently released Epstein files, a growing list of prominent figures is stepping down from their positions, their actions and associations raising disturbing questions about who knew what and when.
The Fallout Begins
It was February 11, 2026, when the U.S. Department of Justice released a staggering three million pages of documents tied to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a trove that has shed light on years' worth of interactions between Epstein and some of the world's most influential people.
The fallout has been swift and merciless, with Thomas Pritzker, the Hyatt Hotels heir, resigning as the executive chairman of the company, a position he held for over two decades. Pritzker cited his "terrible judgment" in maintaining contact with Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors.
Kathy Ruemmler, the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Goldman Sachs, has also stepped down, effective June 30, after the release of emails that appeared to show the two maintaining a close relationship years after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea.
More Resignations
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chairman and CEO of DP World Limited, has also resigned, effective immediately, after his name appeared numerous times in the newly released files, which include email correspondence between him and Epstein that suggests a yearslong friendship.
Brad Karp, the chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, one of the most prestigious law firms in the US, has also stepped down, after email correspondence between him and Epstein was released in the latest batch of files from the Justice Department.
Mona Juul, a Norwegian ambassador, has resigned after her ties to Epstein generated controversy, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs saying that her contact with Epstein revealed a "serious lapse in judgment."
Calls for Resignation
The list of figures facing calls to resign is growing, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who has faced criticism for his ties to Epstein, which have been revealed in the newly released files.
Casey Wasserman, the founder of the entertainment and sports agency the Wasserman Media Group, has also faced public backlash after flirtatious email exchanges between him and Maxwell became public in the newly released files.
The fallout from the Epstein files has sparked a broader conversation about accountability and the consequences of associations with a convicted sex offender.
What Comes Next
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how many more figures will step down and what the long-term consequences will be for those who remained in their positions.
One thing is clear, however: the Epstein files have opened a Pandora's box, revealing a complex web of relationships and associations that will continue to reverberate for years to come.
