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Reverted to revision 931143709 by MJL: Epstein hung out with memebers of the British Royal family and had ties all around the world, but this article isn't even about him anyways. It's about an internationally shared meme. As the first major contributor I decided to use DMY dates per my own preference. Get WP:cosensus before reverting again, please.(TW)
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{{mergeto|Death of Jeffrey Epstein|discuss=Talk:Death of Jeffrey Epstein#Merger proposal|date=November 2019}}
{{mergeto|Death of Jeffrey Epstein|discuss=Talk:Death of Jeffrey Epstein#Merger proposal|date=November 2019}}
{{short description|Meme regarding the Death of Jeffrey Epstein}}
{{short description|Meme regarding the Death of Jeffrey Epstein}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}


[[File:Epstein Bridge Nov2019 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[#Vandalism|Graffiti]] featuring the phrase on an overpass on [[Interstate 71]]N in [[Cincinnati|Cincinnati, Ohio]].]]
[[File:Epstein Bridge Nov2019 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[#Vandalism|Graffiti]] featuring the phrase on an overpass on [[Interstate 71]]N in [[Cincinnati|Cincinnati, Ohio]].]]
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== Overview ==
== Overview ==
{{further information|Meme{{!}}Memes}}
{{further information|Meme{{!}}Memes}}
The central idea behind the meme is to include the phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself" in unexpected contexts like a photo caption of painter [[Bob Ross]]<ref name="FrontBurner">{{cite news |title=Understanding the 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme |last1=Poisson |first1=Jayme |last2=Merlan |first2=Anna |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/understanding-the-jeffrey-epstein-didn-t-kill-himself-meme-1.5365778 |work=[[CBC News]] |series=Front Burner |access-date=December 1, 2019 |date=November 20, 2019 |language=en |format=Audio}}</ref> or at the end of post as a [[Non sequitur (literary device)|non sequitur]].<ref name="Variety">{{cite news |last1=Khawaja |first1=Jemayel |title='Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Is Peak Meme After Art Basel Prank |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-1203431048/ |access-date=December 15, 2019 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=Penske Business Media |date=December 10, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Orange">{{cite news |last1=Poulos |first1=James |title='Epstein didn't kill himself' and the decline of the elite |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/11/14/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-and-the-decline-of-the-elite-james-poulos/ |access-date=November 21, 2019 |work=[[Orange County Register]] |date=November 15, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The meme has appeared at multiple televised sports games in the form of signs and painted bodies.<ref name="Intelligencer">{{cite news |last1=Raymond |first1=Adam K. |title=The 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Meme Has Gone Mainstream |url=http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/11/the-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-has-gone-mainstream.html |access-date=November 21, 2019 |work=[[Intelligencer (website)|Intelligencer]] |publisher=Vox Media |date=November 11, 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="Insider">{{cite news |last1=Goggin |first1=Benjamin |last2=Tenbarge |first2=Kat |title=Why you're seeing Jeffrey Epstein murder memes everywhere |url=https://www.insider.com/jeffrey-epstein-death-meme-conspiracy-clinton-global-elites-deceiving-2019-11 |access-date=November 26, 2019 |work=[[Insider (website)|Insider]] |date=November 19, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{cite news |last1=Ellis |first1=Emma Grey |title='Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' and the Meme-ing of Conspiracy |url=https://www.wired.com/story/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-conspiracy/ |access-date=November 21, 2019 |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=November 15, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Several people have also randomly interjected the phrase at the end of interviews.<ref name="FrontBurner" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/jeffrey-epstein-did-not-kill-himself |title='Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme pops up on MSNBC |first=Brian |last=Flood |date=November 12, 2019 |work=[[Fox News]] |access-date=December 3, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> It is used by individuals on all sides of the political spectrum without agreement on the specific details of Epstein's death.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="NPR-KYM">{{cite news |title=Epstein's Death Becomes A Meme |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/16/780067957/epsteins-death-becomes-a-meme |access-date=November 21, 2019 |work=[[NPR]] |agency=Weekend Edition Saturday |date=November 16, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="DailyDot">{{cite news |last1=Rothschild |first1=Mike |title=Epstein died, but 'Epstein didn't kill himself' memes are alive and well |url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-memes/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=[[The Daily Dot]] |date=November 7, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
The central idea behind the meme is to include the phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself" in unexpected contexts like a photo caption of painter [[Bob Ross]]<ref name="FrontBurner">{{cite news |title=Understanding the 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme |last1=Poisson |first1=Jayme |last2=Merlan |first2=Anna |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/understanding-the-jeffrey-epstein-didn-t-kill-himself-meme-1.5365778 |work=[[CBC News]] |series=Front Burner |access-date=1 December 2019 |date=20 November 2019 |language=en |format=Audio}}</ref> or at the end of post as a [[Non sequitur (literary device)|non sequitur]].<ref name="Variety">{{cite news |last1=Khawaja |first1=Jemayel |title='Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Is Peak Meme After Art Basel Prank |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-1203431048/ |access-date=15 December 2019 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=Penske Business Media |date=10 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Orange">{{cite news |last1=Poulos |first1=James |title='Epstein didn't kill himself' and the decline of the elite |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/11/14/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-and-the-decline-of-the-elite-james-poulos/ |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=[[Orange County Register]] |date=15 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The meme has appeared at multiple televised sports games in the form of signs and painted bodies.<ref name="Intelligencer">{{cite news |last1=Raymond |first1=Adam K. |title=The 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Meme Has Gone Mainstream |url=http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/11/the-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-has-gone-mainstream.html |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=[[Intelligencer (website)|Intelligencer]] |publisher=Vox Media |date=11 November 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="Insider">{{cite news |last1=Goggin |first1=Benjamin |last2=Tenbarge |first2=Kat |title=Why you're seeing Jeffrey Epstein murder memes everywhere |url=https://www.insider.com/jeffrey-epstein-death-meme-conspiracy-clinton-global-elites-deceiving-2019-11 |access-date=26 November 2019 |work=[[Insider (website)|Insider]] |date=19 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{cite news |last1=Ellis |first1=Emma Grey |title='Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' and the Meme-ing of Conspiracy |url=https://www.wired.com/story/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-conspiracy/ |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=15 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Several people have also randomly interjected the phrase at the end of interviews.<ref name="FrontBurner" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/jeffrey-epstein-did-not-kill-himself |title='Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme pops up on MSNBC |first=Brian |last=Flood |date=12 November 2019 |work=[[Fox News]] |access-date=3 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> It is used by individuals on all sides of the political spectrum without agreement on the specific details of Epstein's death.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="NPR-KYM">{{cite news |title=Epstein's Death Becomes A Meme |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/16/780067957/epsteins-death-becomes-a-meme |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=[[NPR]] |agency=Weekend Edition Saturday |date=16 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="DailyDot">{{cite news |last1=Rothschild |first1=Mike |title=Epstein died, but 'Epstein didn't kill himself' memes are alive and well |url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-memes/ |access-date=25 November 2019 |work=[[The Daily Dot]] |date=7 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


== Background ==
== Background ==
{{main|Death of Jeffrey Epstein}}
{{main|Death of Jeffrey Epstein}}
[[File:MCC New York jeh.JPG|thumb|right|275 px|The Metropolitan Correctional Center where Epstein died.]]
[[File:MCC New York jeh.JPG|thumb|right|275 px|The Metropolitan Correctional Center where Epstein died.]]
On August 10, 2019, American financier and convicted sex offender [[Jeffrey Epstein]] was found unresponsive in his [[Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York|Metropolitan Correctional Center]] jail cell, where he was awaiting trial on new sex trafficking charges. According to the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons official statement, "He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries and subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hallemann |first1=Caroline |title=Prince Andrew Says He Regrets His "Ill-Judged Association" with Jeffrey Epstein |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a28352055/jeffrey-epstein-criminal-case-facts/ |access-date=November 26, 2019 |work=[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]] |publisher=Hearst Digital Media |date=November 20, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York|New York City medical examiner]] ruled Epstein's death a suicide.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.apnews.com/a947e0d85d31496eb5bd9ff4994c9718 |first=Michael R. |last=Sisak |first2=Michael |last2=Balsamo |first3=Larry |last3=Neumeister |title=Medical examiner rules Epstein death a suicide by hanging |date=August 17, 2019 |work=[[Associated Press|AP News]] |access-date=November 25, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Epstein's lawyers challenged that conclusion and opened their own investigation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-to-launch-own-investigation-into-his-death-2019-8 |title=Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers blast 'medieval conditions' at federal jail where he died by suicide and say they are launching their own investigation |last=Frias |first=Lauren |date=August 16, 2019 |work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=August 19, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Epstein's brother Mark hired [[Michael Baden]] to oversee the autopsy. In late October, Baden announced that autopsy evidence was more indicative of homicidal strangulation than suicidal hanging.<ref name="FoxBaden">{{cite news |title=Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy more consistent with homicidal strangulation than suicide, Dr. Michael Baden reveals |first=Melissa |last=Leon |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/forensic-pathologist-jeffrey-epstein-homicide-suicide |work=Fox News |access-date=November 11, 2019 |date=October 29, 2019 }}</ref> Both the [[FBI]] and the [[United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General|U.S. Department of Justice's inspector general]] are conducting investigations into the circumstances of his death. The guards on duty were later charged with conspiracy and record falsification.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeffrey-epsteins-jail-guards-charged-11574181201 |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Jail Guards Charged With Conspiracy, Records Falsification |first1=Rebecca Davis |last1=O'Brien |first2=Corinne |last2=Ramey |date=November 19, 2019 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal|Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=December 3, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
On 10 August 2019, American financier and convicted sex offender [[Jeffrey Epstein]] was found unresponsive in his [[Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York|Metropolitan Correctional Center]] jail cell, where he was awaiting trial on new sex trafficking charges. According to the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons official statement, "He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries and subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hallemann |first1=Caroline |title=Prince Andrew Says He Regrets His "Ill-Judged Association" with Jeffrey Epstein |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a28352055/jeffrey-epstein-criminal-case-facts/ |access-date=26 November 2019 |work=[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]] |publisher=Hearst Digital Media |date=20 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York|New York City medical examiner]] ruled Epstein's death a suicide.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.apnews.com/a947e0d85d31496eb5bd9ff4994c9718 |first=Michael R. |last=Sisak |first2=Michael |last2=Balsamo |first3=Larry |last3=Neumeister |title=Medical examiner rules Epstein death a suicide by hanging |date=17 August 2019 |work=[[Associated Press|AP News]] |access-date=25 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Epstein's lawyers challenged that conclusion and opened their own investigation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epsteins-lawyers-to-launch-own-investigation-into-his-death-2019-8 |title=Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers blast 'medieval conditions' at federal jail where he died by suicide and say they are launching their own investigation |last=Frias |first=Lauren |date=16 August 2019 |work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=19 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Epstein's brother Mark hired [[Michael Baden]] to oversee the autopsy. In late October, Baden announced that autopsy evidence was more indicative of homicidal strangulation than suicidal hanging.<ref name="FoxBaden">{{cite news |title=Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy more consistent with homicidal strangulation than suicide, Dr. Michael Baden reveals |first=Melissa |last=Leon |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/forensic-pathologist-jeffrey-epstein-homicide-suicide |work=Fox News |access-date=November 11, 2019 |date=October 29, 2019 }}</ref> Both the [[FBI]] and the [[United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General|U.S. Department of Justice's inspector general]] are conducting investigations into the circumstances of his death. The guards on duty were later charged with conspiracy and record falsification.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeffrey-epsteins-jail-guards-charged-11574181201 |title=Jeffrey Epstein's Jail Guards Charged With Conspiracy, Records Falsification |first1=Rebecca Davis |last1=O'Brien |first2=Corinne |last2=Ramey |date=19 November 2019 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal|Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=3 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


Due to violations of normal jail procedures on the night of his death,{{efn|group=note|E.g. the removal of his cellmate without a replacement, the falling asleep of two guards who were meant to check on him, and the malfunction of two cameras in front of his cell.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/nyregion/epstein-death-manhattan-correctional-center.html |title=Before Jail Suicide, Epstein Was Left Alone and Not Closely Monitored |last=Benner |first=Katie |date=August 11, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=August 11, 2019 |last2=Ivory |first2=Danielle |last3=Oppel Jr|first3=Richard A. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-jeffrey-epstein-cameras-idUSKCN1VI2LC |title=FBI studies two broken cameras outside cell where Epstein died: source |last=Hosenball |first=Mark |date=August 28, 2019 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=August 29, 2019 |location=London |language=en}}</ref>}} and Epstein's claimed knowledge of compromising information about influential people, his death generated doubt about his apparent suicide and speculation that he was murdered.<ref name="Intelligencer" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/business/jeffrey-epstein-interview.html |title=The Day Jeffrey Epstein Told Me He Had Dirt on Powerful People |last=Stewart |first=James B. |date=August 12, 2019|work=The New York Times |access-date=August 22, 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/epstein-death-murder-suicide-victims-hearing-1456397 |title=Epstein Lawyers say evidence 'far more consistent' with murder than suicide |last=Stockler |first=Asher |date=August 27, 2019 |work=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=August 27, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
Due to violations of normal jail procedures on the night of his death,{{efn|group=note|E.g. the removal of his cellmate without a replacement, the falling asleep of two guards who were meant to check on him, and the malfunction of two cameras in front of his cell.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/nyregion/epstein-death-manhattan-correctional-center.html |title=Before Jail Suicide, Epstein Was Left Alone and Not Closely Monitored |last=Benner |first=Katie |date=11 August 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=11 August 2019 |last2=Ivory |first2=Danielle |last3=Oppel Jr|first3=Richard A. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-jeffrey-epstein-cameras-idUSKCN1VI2LC |title=FBI studies two broken cameras outside cell where Epstein died: source |last=Hosenball |first=Mark |date=28 August 2019 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=29 August 2019 |location=London |language=en}}</ref>}} and Epstein's claimed knowledge of compromising information about influential people, his death generated doubt about his apparent suicide and speculation that he was murdered.<ref name="Intelligencer" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/business/jeffrey-epstein-interview.html |title=The Day Jeffrey Epstein Told Me He Had Dirt on Powerful People |last=Stewart |first=James B. |date=August 12, 2019|work=The New York Times |access-date=22 August 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/epstein-death-murder-suicide-victims-hearing-1456397 |title=Epstein Lawyers say evidence 'far more consistent' with murder than suicide |last=Stockler |first=Asher |date=27 August 2019 |work=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=27 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


== Mainstreaming ==
== Mainstreaming ==
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|quote = Seemingly overnight, those last four words, or something close to them, were everywhere: Belted out in videos posted by teenagers to [[TikTok]], the social media platform beloved by [[Generation Z]]. Hacked into a roadside traffic sign in [[Modesto, California|Modesto, Calif]]. Uttered by a [[University of Alabama]] student during a live report on [[MSNBC]], hours before the president was set to appear at the school's football game.
|quote = Seemingly overnight, those last four words, or something close to them, were everywhere: Belted out in videos posted by teenagers to [[TikTok]], the social media platform beloved by [[Generation Z]]. Hacked into a roadside traffic sign in [[Modesto, California|Modesto, Calif]]. Uttered by a [[University of Alabama]] student during a live report on [[MSNBC]], hours before the president was set to appear at the school's football game.
|author = Teo Armus
|author = Teo Armus
|source = ''The Washington Post''.<ref name="JeetHeer">{{cite news |last1=Heer |first1=Jeet |title=Jeffrey Epstein Isn't Going Away |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/epstein-prince-andrew-conspiracy/ |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[The Nation]] |date=18 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="WaPo">{{cite news |last1=Armus |first1=Teo |title=A GOP congressman hid a meme about Jeffrey Epstein's death in his impeachment tweets |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/11/14/paul-gosar-jeffrey-epstein-tweets-secret-message/ |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=Washington Post |series=Morning Mix |date=November 14, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
|source = ''The Washington Post''.<ref name="JeetHeer">{{cite news |last1=Heer |first1=Jeet |title=Jeffrey Epstein Isn't Going Away |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/epstein-prince-andrew-conspiracy/ |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[The Nation]] |date=18 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="WaPo">{{cite news |last1=Armus |first1=Teo |title=A GOP congressman hid a meme about Jeffrey Epstein's death in his impeachment tweets |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/11/14/paul-gosar-jeffrey-epstein-tweets-secret-message/ |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=Washington Post |series=Morning Mix |date=14 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
|width = 35%
|width = 35%
|bgcolor = #ebf3fb
|bgcolor = #ebf3fb
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}}
}}


At the end of an interview with [[Jesse Watters]] on ''[[Fox News]]'', former Navy SEAL and founder of the [[Warrior Dog Foundation]] Mike Ritland asked if he could give a "[[Public service announcement|PSA]]". After being told that he could, he stated, "If you see the coverage [about combat dogs] and you decide I want one of these dogs, either buy a fully trained and finished dog from a professional or just don't get one at all. That, and Epstein didn't kill himself."<ref name="Vice-Beer">{{cite news |last1=Castrodale |first1=Jelisa |title=This Beer Says 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' on the Bottom of Its Can |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmj9kx/this-beer-says-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-on-the-bottom-of-its-can |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |date=November 13, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hein |first1=Michael |title=Fox News Guest Sneaks in 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Comment During Live Segment |url=https://popculture.com/trending/2019/11/03/fox-news-guest-sneaks-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-comment-live-segment/ |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=[[PopCulture.com]] |date=November 3, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Ritland later stated his purpose for suddenly mentioning the phrase was to keep the Jeffrey Epstein story alive.<ref name="Intelligencer" /><ref name="Shultz">{{cite news |last1=Shultz |first1=Alex |title=Why "Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself" Started Trending Almost Three Months After His Death |url=https://www.gq.com/story/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-explained |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[GQ]] |publisher=Condé Nast |date=November 5, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> According to ''[[The Washington Post]]'', the meme gained a large amount of attention in the immediate aftermath of this interview.<ref name="JeetHeer" /><ref name="WaPo" />
At the end of an interview with [[Jesse Watters]] on ''[[Fox News]]'', former Navy SEAL and founder of the [[Warrior Dog Foundation]] Mike Ritland asked if he could give a "[[Public service announcement|PSA]]". After being told that he could, he stated, "If you see the coverage [about combat dogs] and you decide I want one of these dogs, either buy a fully trained and finished dog from a professional or just don't get one at all. That, and Epstein didn't kill himself."<ref name="Vice-Beer">{{cite news |last1=Castrodale |first1=Jelisa |title=This Beer Says 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' on the Bottom of Its Can |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmj9kx/this-beer-says-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-on-the-bottom-of-its-can |access-date=25 November 2019 |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |date=13 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hein |first1=Michael |title=Fox News Guest Sneaks in 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Comment During Live Segment |url=https://popculture.com/trending/2019/11/03/fox-news-guest-sneaks-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-comment-live-segment/ |access-date=25 November 2019 |work=[[PopCulture.com]] |date=3 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Ritland later stated his purpose for suddenly mentioning the phrase was to keep the Jeffrey Epstein story alive.<ref name="Intelligencer" /><ref name="Shultz">{{cite news |last1=Shultz |first1=Alex |title=Why "Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself" Started Trending Almost Three Months After His Death |url=https://www.gq.com/story/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-explained |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[GQ]] |publisher=Condé Nast |date=5 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> According to ''[[The Washington Post]]'', the meme gained a large amount of attention in the immediate aftermath of this interview.<ref name="JeetHeer" /><ref name="WaPo" />


Arizona Republican Congressman [[Paul Gosar]] shared the meme in a series of 23 tweets where the first letter of each tweet spelled out the phrase.<ref name="Intelligencer" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Colasimone |first1=Dan |title=A US Congressman sent out a series of coded tweets pointing to a rapidly spreading conspiracy theory |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-15/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-amplified-by-congressman/11707202 |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=November 15, 2019 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Australian rapper Matthew Lambert of [[Hilltop Hoods]], after winning the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2019|2019 ARIA Music Award]] for [[ARIA Award for Best Australian Live Act|Best Australian Live Act]], included the phrase in his acceptance speech.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rahman |first1=Khaleda |title="Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself," rapper declares during award acceptance speech |url=https://www.newsweek.com/australian-rappers-says-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-1474397 |access-date=December 1, 2019 |work=Newsweek |date=November 27, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
Arizona Republican Congressman [[Paul Gosar]] shared the meme in a series of 23 tweets where the first letter of each tweet spelled out the phrase.<ref name="Intelligencer" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Colasimone |first1=Dan |title=A US Congressman sent out a series of coded tweets pointing to a rapidly spreading conspiracy theory |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-15/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-amplified-by-congressman/11707202 |access-date=25 November 2019 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=15 November 2019 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Australian rapper Matthew Lambert of [[Hilltop Hoods]], after winning the [[ARIA Music Awards of 2019|2019 ARIA Music Award]] for [[ARIA Award for Best Australian Live Act|Best Australian Live Act]], included the phrase in his acceptance speech.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rahman |first1=Khaleda |title="Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself," rapper declares during award acceptance speech |url=https://www.newsweek.com/australian-rappers-says-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-1474397 |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=Newsweek |date=27 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


=== Platforms ===
=== Platforms ===
The meme has been shared by individuals on a number of platforms including Facebook and Twitter.<ref name="Benzinga">{{cite news |last1=Royse |first1=Dave |title=Why 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Has Taken Over Memes, Social Media |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-220010074.html |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=[[Yahoo! Finance]] |agency=Benzinga |date=November 5, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Podcast host [[Joe Rogan]] and internet personality [[Tank Sinatra]] used Instagram to spread the meme to their followers,<ref name="NatReview">{{cite news |last1=Dougherty |first1=Michael Brendan |title='Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-that-has-serious-point/ |access-date=November 21, 2019 |work=[[National Review]] |date=November 13, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> which in Rogan's case had included Mike Ritland.<ref name="Shultz" /> The "Epstein didn't kill himself" meme also has appeared in [[TikTok ]]videos,<ref name="FrontBurner" /><ref name="WaPo" /> which notably is frequented by a younger user base.<ref name="WaPo" />
The meme has been shared by individuals on a number of platforms including Facebook and Twitter.<ref name="Benzinga">{{cite news |last1=Royse |first1=Dave |title=Why 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Has Taken Over Memes, Social Media |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-220010074.html |access-date=25 November 2019 |work=[[Yahoo! Finance]] |agency=Benzinga |date=5 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Podcast host [[Joe Rogan]] and internet personality [[Tank Sinatra]] used Instagram to spread the meme to their followers,<ref name="NatReview">{{cite news |last1=Dougherty |first1=Michael Brendan |title='Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-that-has-serious-point/ |access-date=21 November 2019 |work=[[National Review]] |date=13 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> which in Rogan's case had included Mike Ritland.<ref name="Shultz" /> The "Epstein didn't kill himself" meme also has appeared in [[TikTok ]]videos,<ref name="FrontBurner" /><ref name="WaPo" /> which notably is frequented by a younger user base.<ref name="WaPo" />


Several users on [[dating app]]s, such as [[Tinder (app)|Tinder]] and [[Hinge (app)|Hinge]], have written in their profiles that whether or not a someone accepts the premise of the meme is a relationship [[wikt:deal breaker|deal breaker]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shultz |first1=Alex |title=Why on Earth Are People Talking About Jeffrey Epstein in Their Dating Profile? |url=https://www.gq.com/story/jeffrey-epstein-dating-apps-why |access-date=November 25, 2019 |work=GQ |publisher=Condé Nast |date=November 13, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
Several users on [[dating app]]s, such as [[Tinder (app)|Tinder]] and [[Hinge (app)|Hinge]], have written in their profiles that whether or not a someone accepts the premise of the meme is a relationship [[wikt:deal breaker|deal breaker]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shultz |first1=Alex |title=Why on Earth Are People Talking About Jeffrey Epstein in Their Dating Profile? |url=https://www.gq.com/story/jeffrey-epstein-dating-apps-why |access-date=25 November 2019 |work=GQ |publisher=Condé Nast |date=13 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


=== Products ===
=== Products ===
Two beer companies, the Michigan-based Rusted Spoke Brewing Co.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DeVito |first1=Lee |title=Michigan brewery reminds us that Jeffrey Epstein probably didn't kill himself |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/table-and-bar/archives/2019/11/11/michigan-brewery-reminds-us-that-jeffrey-epstein-probably-didnt-kill-himself |access-date=November 26, 2019 |work=[[Detroit Metro Times]] |date=November 11, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and the [[California]]n Tactical OPS Brewing,<ref>{{cite news |title=Clovis brewery prints 'Epstein didn't kill himself' on the bottom of cans |url=https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/fresno-brewery-prints-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-on-the-bottom-of-cans |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[KUTV]] |agency=FOX26 News |date=November 7, 2019 |location=Clovis, CA |language=en}}</ref> advertised specialty-branded beers in connection to the meme.<ref name="Vice-Beer" /> Rusted Spoke's operations manager told the ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' that people just thought the meme was funny.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Taylor Nichole |title=Mackinaw City brewery names beer after Jeffrey Epstein conspiracy theory |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/11/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-beer-ipa-northern-michigan-brewery/2562717001/ |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=November 11, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In Switzerland, the [[Zürich]]-based company Kaex printed the meme on promotional material for an anti-[[hangover]] product.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blum |first1=Pascal |title=Wahnsinnig lustig |url=https://www.derbund.ch/kultur/diverses/wahnsinnig-lustig/story/29732636 |access-date=December 15, 2019 |work=[[Der Bund]] |date=December 10, 2019 |language=de}}</ref>
Two beer companies, the Michigan-based Rusted Spoke Brewing Co.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DeVito |first1=Lee |title=Michigan brewery reminds us that Jeffrey Epstein probably didn't kill himself |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/table-and-bar/archives/2019/11/11/michigan-brewery-reminds-us-that-jeffrey-epstein-probably-didnt-kill-himself |access-date=26 November 2019 |work=[[Detroit Metro Times]] |date=11 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and the [[California]]n Tactical OPS Brewing,<ref>{{cite news |title=Clovis brewery prints 'Epstein didn't kill himself' on the bottom of cans |url=https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/fresno-brewery-prints-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-on-the-bottom-of-cans |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[KUTV]] |agency=FOX26 News |date=7 November 2019 |location=Clovis, CA |language=en}}</ref> advertised specialty-branded beers in connection to the meme.<ref name="Vice-Beer" /> Rusted Spoke's operations manager told the ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' that people just thought the meme was funny.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Taylor Nichole |title=Mackinaw City brewery names beer after Jeffrey Epstein conspiracy theory |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/11/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-beer-ipa-northern-michigan-brewery/2562717001/ |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=11 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In Switzerland, the [[Zürich]]-based company Kaex printed the meme on promotional material for an anti-[[hangover]] product.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blum |first1=Pascal |title=Wahnsinnig lustig |url=https://www.derbund.ch/kultur/diverses/wahnsinnig-lustig/story/29732636 |access-date=15 December 2019 |work=[[Der Bund]] |date=10 December 2019 |language=de}}</ref>


Computer programmer, businessman, and Presidential candidate [[John McAfee]] announced the release of an [[Ethereum]]-based [[Token (cryptocurrency)|token]] named after the meme. He had previously expressed doubts about Epstein's death.{{efn|group=note|McAfee remains wanted [[Tax evasion in the United States|in the United States for tax evasion]].<ref name="CoinRivet" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Frank |title=John McAfee says Jeffrey Epstein was probably murdered |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=12284348 |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald|NZ Herald]] |date=November 11, 2019 |agency=News.com.au |language=en-NZ}}</ref>}} Also known as WHACKD,<ref name="CoinRivet">{{cite news |last1=Webb |first1=Sam |title=John McAfee launches 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' token |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/john-mcafee-launches-epstein-didn-140049454.html |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=Yahoo! Finance |agency=Coin Rivet |date=November 14, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> 700 million tokens of the cryptocurrency were released to 8,000 users following its [[Airdrop (cryptocurrency)|airdrop]].<ref name="Variety" />
Computer programmer, businessman, and Presidential candidate [[John McAfee]] announced the release of an [[Ethereum]]-based [[Token (cryptocurrency)|token]] named after the meme. He had previously expressed doubts about Epstein's death.{{efn|group=note|McAfee remains wanted [[Tax evasion in the United States|in the United States for tax evasion]].<ref name="CoinRivet" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chung |first1=Frank |title=John McAfee says Jeffrey Epstein was probably murdered |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=12284348 |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald|NZ Herald]] |date=11 November 2019 |agency=News.com.au |language=en-NZ}}</ref>}} Also known as WHACKD,<ref name="CoinRivet">{{cite news |last1=Webb |first1=Sam |title=John McAfee launches 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' token |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/john-mcafee-launches-epstein-didn-140049454.html |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=Yahoo! Finance |agency=Coin Rivet |date=14 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> 700 million tokens of the cryptocurrency were released to 8,000 users following its [[Airdrop (cryptocurrency)|airdrop]].<ref name="Variety" />


Holiday-theme merchandise, such as [[Christmas jumper]]s, which prominently feature the phrase also became available for sale through several online retailers.<ref name="NatReview" /><ref name="Slate">{{cite news |last1=Mak |first1=Aaron |title=The Latest Conspiracy Theory Merch Craze Is Jeffrey Epstein Christmas Swag |url=https://slate.com/technology/2019/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-etsy-amazon-christmas-holidays-whyyyy.html |access-date=November 26, 2019 |work=[[Slate Magazine]] |date=November 15, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'', independent merchandisers indicated that the Christmas/Epstein product lines were selling comparatively well and cited the mashup's dark humor for its internet popularity.<ref name="Slate" /> According to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', the Christmas-themed paraphernalia was reportedly outselling ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' merchandise.<ref name="Variety" />
Holiday-theme merchandise, such as [[Christmas jumper]]s, which prominently feature the phrase also became available for sale through several online retailers.<ref name="NatReview" /><ref name="Slate">{{cite news |last1=Mak |first1=Aaron |title=The Latest Conspiracy Theory Merch Craze Is Jeffrey Epstein Christmas Swag |url=https://slate.com/technology/2019/11/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-meme-etsy-amazon-christmas-holidays-whyyyy.html |access-date=26 November 2019 |work=[[Slate Magazine]] |date=15 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'', independent merchandisers indicated that the Christmas/Epstein product lines were selling comparatively well and cited the mashup's dark humor for its internet popularity.<ref name="Slate" /> According to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', the Christmas-themed paraphernalia was reportedly outselling ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' merchandise.<ref name="Variety" />


=== Vandalism ===
=== Vandalism ===
The phrase has been the connected to several incidents of vandalism including its appearance "on road signs and overpasses around the country."<ref name="Variety" /> One specific incident saw the meme painted on 7-foot-high boulder and visible to travellers on [[Washington State Route 9]] in [[Snohomish, Washington|Snohomish]],<ref name="Variety" /> causing a bit of controversy in the local community.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Andrea |title=A cryptic meme splashes the usually benign rock of Snohomish |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-painted-on-the-rock-of-snohomish/ |access-date=December 15, 2019 |work=[[The Herald (Everett)|HeraldNet.com]] |publisher=Sound Publishing |date=November 18, 2019 |location=Snohomish |language=en-US}}</ref>
The phrase has been the connected to several incidents of vandalism including its appearance "on road signs and overpasses around the country."<ref name="Variety" /> One specific incident saw the meme painted on 7-foot-high boulder and visible to travellers on [[Washington State Route 9]] in [[Snohomish, Washington|Snohomish]],<ref name="Variety" /> causing a bit of controversy in the local community.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Andrea |title=A cryptic meme splashes the usually benign rock of Snohomish |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/epstein-didnt-kill-himself-painted-on-the-rock-of-snohomish/ |access-date=15 December 2019 |work=[[The Herald (Everett)|HeraldNet.com]] |publisher=Sound Publishing |date=18 November 2019 |location=Snohomish |language=en-US}}</ref>


A popular art piece at the [[Art Basel]] in Miami, "[[Comedian (artwork)|Comedian]]",{{efn|The exhibit previously featured a banana duct-taped to a white wall and had been sold for $120,000, but the banana was consumed by a performance artist the day before.<ref name="Miami">{{cite news |last1=Ocasio |first1=Bianca Padró |title=Wall of banana exhibit vandalized with lipstick at Art Basel: 'Epstien didn't kill himself' |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/visual-arts/art-basel/article238176479.html |access-date=December 9, 2019 |work=[[Miami Herald]] |date=December 8, 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Banana">{{cite news |last1=Dickson |first1=EJ |title="Art Basel Miami: 'Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself' and the $120,000 Banana |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-banana-art-basel-924140/ |access-date=December 14, 2019 |work=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 8, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>|group=note}} was prominently vandalized when Roderick Webber of [[Massachusetts]] wrote "{{sic|Epstien}} didn't kill himself" in red lipstick.<ref name="Variety" /><ref name="Miami" /> Webber was arrested for [[mischief|criminal mischief]],<ref name="Banana" /> and he reportedly spent a night in jail.<ref>{{cite news |title="Epstein no se mató": la polémica frase que pintaron donde estaba el plátano de 120 mil dólares |url=https://larepublica.pe/mundo/2019/12/10/arte-banana-cinta-jeffrey-epstein-no-se-mato-escriben-en-obra-de-maurizio-cattelan-120-mil-dolares-fotos/ |access-date=December 15, 2019 |agency=Mundo |work=[[La República]] |date=December 10, 2019 |language=es}}</ref>
A popular art piece at the [[Art Basel]] in Miami, "[[Comedian (artwork)|Comedian]]",{{efn|The exhibit previously featured a banana duct-taped to a white wall and had been sold for $120,000, but the banana was consumed by a performance artist the day before.<ref name="Miami">{{cite news |last1=Ocasio |first1=Bianca Padró |title=Wall of banana exhibit vandalized with lipstick at Art Basel: 'Epstien didn't kill himself' |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/visual-arts/art-basel/article238176479.html |access-date=9 December 2019 |work=[[Miami Herald]] |date=8 December 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Banana">{{cite news |last1=Dickson |first1=EJ |title="Art Basel Miami: 'Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself' and the $120,000 Banana |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-banana-art-basel-924140/ |access-date=December 14, 2019 |work=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=8 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref>|group=note}} was prominently vandalized when Roderick Webber of [[Massachusetts]] wrote "{{sic|Epstien}} didn't kill himself" in red lipstick.<ref name="Variety" /><ref name="Miami" /> Webber was arrested for [[mischief|criminal mischief]],<ref name="Banana" /> and he reportedly spent a night in jail.<ref>{{cite news |title="Epstein no se mató": la polémica frase que pintaron donde estaba el plátano de 120 mil dólares |url=https://larepublica.pe/mundo/2019/12/10/arte-banana-cinta-jeffrey-epstein-no-se-mato-escriben-en-obra-de-maurizio-cattelan-120-mil-dolares-fotos/ |access-date=15 December 2019 |agency=Mundo |work=[[La República]] |date=10 December 2019 |language=es}}</ref>


== Reactions ==
== Reactions ==
NPR's [[Scott Simon]] compared the [[bait-and-switch]] aspect of the meme to [[Rickrolling]].<ref name="NPR-KYM" /> He also worried that doing a news story about the meme could spread misinformation.<ref name="NPR-KYM" /> Federal prosecutors have tried to discourage the spread of the conspiracy theory, but the ''[[Associated Press]]'' reported, "[t]he phrase 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' has taken on a life of its own — sometimes more as a pop culture catchphrase than an actual belief."<ref name="Courant">{{cite news |last1=Sisak |first1=Michael R. |title='Epstein didn't kill himself': Feds fail to snuff out conspiracy theories |url=https://www.courant.com/nation-world/ct-nw-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-20191123-5smcuhoeajdcrikft2fpgy7cxm-story.html |access-date=December 1, 2019 |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |agency=Associated Press |date=November 24, 2019 |location=New York |language=en}}</ref> According to a [[University of Chicago]] survey conducted by a professor who studies conspiracy theories, 30% of respondents reportedly professed a belief that Jeffrey Epstein had been murdered.<ref name="Courant" />
NPR's [[Scott Simon]] compared the [[bait-and-switch]] aspect of the meme to [[Rickrolling]].<ref name="NPR-KYM" /> He also worried that doing a news story about the meme could spread misinformation.<ref name="NPR-KYM" /> Federal prosecutors have tried to discourage the spread of the conspiracy theory, but the ''[[Associated Press]]'' reported, "[t]he phrase 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' has taken on a life of its own — sometimes more as a pop culture catchphrase than an actual belief."<ref name="Courant">{{cite news |last1=Sisak |first1=Michael R. |title='Epstein didn't kill himself': Feds fail to snuff out conspiracy theories |url=https://www.courant.com/nation-world/ct-nw-jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-20191123-5smcuhoeajdcrikft2fpgy7cxm-story.html |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |agency=Associated Press |date=24 November 2019 |location=New York |language=en}}</ref> According to a [[University of Chicago]] survey conducted by a professor who studies conspiracy theories, 30% of respondents reportedly professed a belief that Jeffrey Epstein had been murdered.<ref name="Courant" />


Writer James Poulos cited the advancement of social media and growing populist sentiments for the meme.<ref name="Orange" /> Commentators have also suggested that growing distrust of government and the [[Elitism|elite]] played a large factor in its popularity as well.<ref name="Insider" /><ref name="DailyDot" /><ref name="NatReview" /> [[Jeet Heer]] with ''[[The Nation]]'' has expressed his worries that this could lead to the meme becoming a useful tool for recruitment for the [[Far-right politics|far-right]];<ref name="JeetHeer" /> but Adam Bulger, in a featured article for [[BTRtoday]], dismissed Heer's concerns and encouraged the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] to embrace the meme.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bulger |first1=Adam |title=Democrats Need to be The Party of "Epstein Didn't Kill Himself" |url=https://www.btrtoday.com/read/featured/democrats-need-to-be-the-party-of-epstein-didnt-kill-himself/ |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[BreakThru Radio]] |date=November 15, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
Writer James Poulos cited the advancement of social media and growing populist sentiments for the meme.<ref name="Orange" /> Commentators have also suggested that growing distrust of government and the [[Elitism|elite]] played a large factor in its popularity as well.<ref name="Insider" /><ref name="DailyDot" /><ref name="NatReview" /> [[Jeet Heer]] with ''[[The Nation]]'' has expressed his worries that this could lead to the meme becoming a useful tool for recruitment for the [[Far-right politics|far-right]];<ref name="JeetHeer" /> but Adam Bulger, in a featured article for [[BTRtoday]], dismissed Heer's concerns and encouraged the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] to embrace the meme.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bulger |first1=Adam |title=Democrats Need to be The Party of "Epstein Didn't Kill Himself" |url=https://www.btrtoday.com/read/featured/democrats-need-to-be-the-party-of-epstein-didnt-kill-himself/ |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[BreakThru Radio]] |date=15 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


In an article for ''[[Mel Magazine]]'' published shortly before the ''Fox News'' interview, Miles Klee wrote that there were numerous factors for the meme's rise online; among these included a "simmering resentment" and a lack of justice for Epstein's victims.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCarter |first1=Reid |title=Man helpfully declares "Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself" at the tail end of a Fox News interview |url=https://news.avclub.com/man-helpfully-declares-jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-hims-1839608316 |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=G/O Media |date=November 4, 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="MEL">{{cite news |last1=Klee |first1=Miles |title=Memes Are Keeping the Jeffrey Epstein Story Alive |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/memes-are-keeping-the-jeffrey-epstein-story-alive |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[MEL Magazine]] |publisher=Dollar Shave Club |date=October 31, 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> He further explained that a large attraction of sharing the "Epstein didn't kill himself" meme was it served as a method to keep the Epstein story within the [[24-hour news cycle|news cycle]].<ref name="Benzinga" /><ref name="MEL" /> Author [[Anna Merlan]] has instead argued that the meme over time tends to trivialize the concerns of Epstein's victims.<ref name="FrontBurner" /> However, she mentioned that Jane Doe 15,{{efn|group=note|Jane Doe 15 did not publicly reveal her name, and only said that she was 15-years-old at the time of the recounted events from 16 years ago.<ref name="Vice-Victim">{{cite news |last1=Marcin |first1=Tim |title=New Epstein Accuser Says He Raped Her When She Was 15 |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7x5yqa/new-accuser-says-epstein-raped-her-when-she-was-15 |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[Vice News]] |date=November 19, 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>}} who on November 19, 2019 publicly alleged that Jeffrey Epstein had raped her,{{efn|group=note|Doe also called on [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Prince Andrew]] and any others with relevant information about Epstein should testify what they knew about his criminal conduct while under oath.<ref>{{cite news |title='Jane Doe 15' urges Prince Andrew to tell authorities what he knows about Epstein |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/epstein-victims-call-on-prince-andrew-to-talk-to-authorities-while-charities-and-organizations-distance-themselves-from-fallout |access-date=December 3, 2019 |work=[[National Post]] |location=New York |agency=Reuters |date=November 19, 2019 |language=en-CA}}<br />{{cite news |title=Alleged abuse victim wearing 'Epstein didn't kill himself' bracelet says Prince Andrew needs to talk to US authorities |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-19/jeffrey-epstein-accuser-jane-doe-15-urges-prince-andrew-to-talk/11718922 |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=ABC News |agency=Reuters |date=November 19, 2019 |language=en-AU}}</ref>}} wore a bracelet featuring the phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself" at a public press conference to possibly indicate her belief in the conspiracy theory.<ref name="FrontBurner" /> According to ''[[Vice News]]'', it is not clear why Jane Doe 15 chose to wear the bracelet.<ref name="Vice-Victim" />
In an article for ''[[Mel Magazine]]'' published shortly before the ''Fox News'' interview, Miles Klee wrote that there were numerous factors for the meme's rise online; among these included a "simmering resentment" and a lack of justice for Epstein's victims.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCarter |first1=Reid |title=Man helpfully declares "Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself" at the tail end of a Fox News interview |url=https://news.avclub.com/man-helpfully-declares-jeffrey-epstein-didnt-kill-hims-1839608316 |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=G/O Media |date=4 November 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="MEL">{{cite news |last1=Klee |first1=Miles |title=Memes Are Keeping the Jeffrey Epstein Story Alive |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/memes-are-keeping-the-jeffrey-epstein-story-alive |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[MEL Magazine]] |publisher=Dollar Shave Club |date=31 October 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> He further explained that a large attraction of sharing the "Epstein didn't kill himself" meme was it served as a method to keep the Epstein story within the [[24-hour news cycle|news cycle]].<ref name="Benzinga" /><ref name="MEL" /> Author [[Anna Merlan]] has instead argued that the meme over time tends to trivialize the concerns of Epstein's victims.<ref name="FrontBurner" /> However, she mentioned that Jane Doe 15,{{efn|group=note|Jane Doe 15 did not publicly reveal her name, and only said that she was 15-years-old at the time of the recounted events from 16 years ago.<ref name="Vice-Victim">{{cite news |last1=Marcin |first1=Tim |title=New Epstein Accuser Says He Raped Her When She Was 15 |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7x5yqa/new-accuser-says-epstein-raped-her-when-she-was-15 |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[Vice News]] |date=19 November 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>}} who on 19 November 2019 publicly alleged that Jeffrey Epstein had raped her,{{efn|group=note|Doe also called on [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Prince Andrew]] and any others with relevant information about Epstein should testify what they knew about his criminal conduct while under oath.<ref>{{cite news |title='Jane Doe 15' urges Prince Andrew to tell authorities what he knows about Epstein |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/epstein-victims-call-on-prince-andrew-to-talk-to-authorities-while-charities-and-organizations-distance-themselves-from-fallout |access-date=3 December 2019 |work=[[National Post]] |location=New York |agency=Reuters |date=19 November 2019 |language=en-CA}}<br />{{cite news |title=Alleged abuse victim wearing 'Epstein didn't kill himself' bracelet says Prince Andrew needs to talk to US authorities |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-19/jeffrey-epstein-accuser-jane-doe-15-urges-prince-andrew-to-talk/11718922 |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=ABC News |agency=Reuters |date=19 November 2019 |language=en-AU}}</ref>}} wore a bracelet featuring the phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself" at a public press conference to possibly indicate her belief in the conspiracy theory.<ref name="FrontBurner" /> According to ''[[Vice News]]'', it is not clear why Jane Doe 15 chose to wear the bracelet.<ref name="Vice-Victim" />


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite news |last1=Bufkin |first1=Ellie |title=Man calling himself 'Epstein didn't kill himself' attempts to run for president |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/man-calling-himself-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-attempts-to-run-for-president |access-date=December 15, 2019 |work=[[Washington Examiner]] |date=November 9, 2019 |language=en}}<!--Needs more coverage-->
* {{cite news |last1=Bufkin |first1=Ellie |title=Man calling himself 'Epstein didn't kill himself' attempts to run for president |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/man-calling-himself-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-attempts-to-run-for-president |access-date=15 December 2019 |work=[[Washington Examiner]] |date=9 November 2019 |language=en}}<!--Needs more coverage-->
* {{cite news |last1=Dickson |first1=E. J. |title=With Jeffrey Epstein's Death, Conspiracy Theories Have Officially Gone Mainstream |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-qanon-memes-870430/ |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=Rolling Stone |date=August 12, 2019 |language=en}}<!--No mention of meme-->
* {{cite news |last1=Dickson |first1=E. J. |title=With Jeffrey Epstein's Death, Conspiracy Theories Have Officially Gone Mainstream |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/jeffrey-epstein-conspiracy-theories-qanon-memes-870430/ |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=Rolling Stone |date=12 August 2019 |language=en}}<!--No mention of meme-->
* {{cite news |last1=Flood |first1=Brian |title=CNN's Brian Stelter ignores ABC News' Jeffrey Epstein scandal on 'Reliable Sources' media show |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/cnn-stelter-jeffrey-epstein-abc |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=Fox News |date=November 10, 2019 |language=en}}<!--Veritas/ABC News story unrelated to meme.-->
* {{cite news |last1=Flood |first1=Brian |title=CNN's Brian Stelter ignores ABC News' Jeffrey Epstein scandal on 'Reliable Sources' media show |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/cnn-stelter-jeffrey-epstein-abc |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=Fox News |date=10 November 2019 |language=en}}<!--Veritas/ABC News story unrelated to meme.-->
* {{cite news |last1=Fung |first1=Brian |last2=O'Sullivan |first2=Donie |title=Cómo las redes sociales establecieron la agenda de la primera audiencia en el proceso de juicio político contra Trump |url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2019/11/15/como-las-redes-sociales-establecieron-la-agenda-de-la-primera-audiencia-en-el-proceso-de-juicio-politico-contra-trump/ |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[CNN]] |date=November 15, 2019 |language=es-ES}}<!--This one is just for es.wiki-->
* {{cite news |last1=Fung |first1=Brian |last2=O'Sullivan |first2=Donie |title=Cómo las redes sociales establecieron la agenda de la primera audiencia en el proceso de juicio político contra Trump |url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2019/11/15/como-las-redes-sociales-establecieron-la-agenda-de-la-primera-audiencia-en-el-proceso-de-juicio-politico-contra-trump/ |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[CNN]] |date=15 November 2019 |language=es-ES}}<!--This one is just for es.wiki-->
* {{cite news |last1=Goforth |first1=Claire |title=Right-wing comedian will attempt hanging to prove Epstein didn't kill himself |url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/steven-crowder-epstein-didnt-kill-himself/ |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=The Daily Dot |agency=Layer 8 |date=November 25, 2019 |language=en}}<!--No mention of meme-->
* {{cite news |last1=Goforth |first1=Claire |title=Right-wing comedian will attempt hanging to prove Epstein didn't kill himself |url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/steven-crowder-epstein-didnt-kill-himself/ |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=The Daily Dot |agency=Layer 8 |date=25 November 2019 |language=en}}<!--No mention of meme-->
* {{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=Dylan |title=The conspiracy theories about the Clintons and Jeffrey Epstein's death, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/2019/8/10/20800195/clintonbodycount-conspiracy-theory-jeffrey-epstein |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |date=August 10, 2019 |language=en}}<!--Focuses too much on the #ClintonBodyCount thing-->
* {{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=Dylan |title=The conspiracy theories about the Clintons and Jeffrey Epstein's death, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/2019/8/10/20800195/clintonbodycount-conspiracy-theory-jeffrey-epstein |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |date=10 August 2019 |language=en}}<!--Focuses too much on the #ClintonBodyCount thing-->
* {{cite news |last1=Norman |first1=Greg |title=Syria's Assad claims Jeffrey Epstein didn't commit suicide: 'He was killed because he knew a lot of vital secrets' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/syria-assad-jeffrey-esptain-killed-speculation |access-date=December 3, 2019 |work=Fox News |date=November 15, 2019 |language=en}}<!--Consensus sorta against including this-->
* {{cite news |last1=Norman |first1=Greg |title=Syria's Assad claims Jeffrey Epstein didn't commit suicide: 'He was killed because he knew a lot of vital secrets' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/syria-assad-jeffrey-esptain-killed-speculation |access-date=3 December 2019 |work=Fox News |date=15 November 2019 |language=en}}<!--Consensus sorta against including this-->
* {{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Annie |title=Amazon is home to thriving businesses that turn TikTok memes into merchandise |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/17/amazon-is-home-to-businesses-that-turn-tiktok-memes-into-merchandise.html |access-date=December 6, 2019 |work=[[CNBC]] |date=November 17, 2019 |language=en}}<!--Only passing mention of meme-->
* {{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Annie |title=Amazon is home to thriving businesses that turn TikTok memes into merchandise |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/17/amazon-is-home-to-businesses-that-turn-tiktok-memes-into-merchandise.html |access-date=6 December 2019 |work=[[CNBC]] |date=17 November 2019 |language=en}}<!--Only passing mention of meme-->
* {{cite news |last1=Shamsian |first1=Jacob |title=Almost half of Americans now believe the conspiracy theory that sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was murdered |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epstein-kill-himself-poll-2019-11/ |access-date=December 1, 2019 |work=Business Insider |date=November 25, 2019 |language=en}}<!--Questionable reliability-->
* {{cite news |last1=Shamsian |first1=Jacob |title=Almost half of Americans now believe the conspiracy theory that sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was murdered |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jeffrey-epstein-kill-himself-poll-2019-11/ |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=Business Insider |date=25 November 2019 |language=en}}<!--Questionable reliability-->
* {{cite news |last1=Whalen |first1=Andrew |title='Real Housewives' BravoCon cabaret event interrupted by "Epstein didn't kill himself" statement |url=https://www.newsweek.com/real-housewives-bravocon-cabaret-event-interrupted-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-statement-1472789 |access-date=December 1, 2019 |work=Newsweek |date=November 19, 2019 |language=en}}<!--Trivial event-->
* {{cite news |last1=Whalen |first1=Andrew |title='Real Housewives' BravoCon cabaret event interrupted by "Epstein didn't kill himself" statement |url=https://www.newsweek.com/real-housewives-bravocon-cabaret-event-interrupted-epstein-didnt-kill-himself-statement-1472789 |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=Newsweek |date=19 November 2019 |language=en}}<!--Trivial event-->
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


Revision as of 16:34, 17 December 2019

Graffiti featuring the phrase on an overpass on Interstate 71N in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"Epstein didn't kill himself" is an Internet meme about the death of Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a controversial figure with connections to several prominent figures, and his reported suicide generated numerous conspiracy theories about the nature and cause of his death. Gaining traction on social media, the meme speculating that the American financier and convicted sex offender was murdered soon gained widespread prominence.

Overview

Further information: Memes

The central idea behind the meme is to include the phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself" in unexpected contexts like a photo caption of painter Bob Ross[1] or at the end of post as a non sequitur.[2][3] The meme has appeared at multiple televised sports games in the form of signs and painted bodies.[4][5][6] Several people have also randomly interjected the phrase at the end of interviews.[1][7] It is used by individuals on all sides of the political spectrum without agreement on the specific details of Epstein's death.[6][8][9]

Background

Main article: Death of Jeffrey Epstein
The Metropolitan Correctional Center where Epstein died.

On 10 August 2019, American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found unresponsive in his Metropolitan Correctional Center jail cell, where he was awaiting trial on new sex trafficking charges. According to the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons official statement, "He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries and subsequently pronounced dead by hospital staff."[10] The New York City medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide.[11] Epstein's lawyers challenged that conclusion and opened their own investigation.[12] Epstein's brother Mark hired Michael Baden to oversee the autopsy. In late October, Baden announced that autopsy evidence was more indicative of homicidal strangulation than suicidal hanging.[13] Both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice's inspector general are conducting investigations into the circumstances of his death. The guards on duty were later charged with conspiracy and record falsification.[14]

Due to violations of normal jail procedures on the night of his death,[note 1] and Epstein's claimed knowledge of compromising information about influential people, his death generated doubt about his apparent suicide and speculation that he was murdered.[4][17][18]

Mainstreaming

"Epstein didn't kill himself"

Seemingly overnight, those last four words, or something close to them, were everywhere: Belted out in videos posted by teenagers to TikTok, the social media platform beloved by Generation Z. Hacked into a roadside traffic sign in Modesto, Calif. Uttered by a University of Alabama student during a live report on MSNBC, hours before the president was set to appear at the school's football game.

Teo Armus, The Washington Post.[19][20]

At the end of an interview with Jesse Watters on Fox News, former Navy SEAL and founder of the Warrior Dog Foundation Mike Ritland asked if he could give a "PSA". After being told that he could, he stated, "If you see the coverage [about combat dogs] and you decide I want one of these dogs, either buy a fully trained and finished dog from a professional or just don't get one at all. That, and Epstein didn't kill himself."[21][22] Ritland later stated his purpose for suddenly mentioning the phrase was to keep the Jeffrey Epstein story alive.[4][23] According to The Washington Post, the meme gained a large amount of attention in the immediate aftermath of this interview.[19][20]

Arizona Republican Congressman Paul Gosar shared the meme in a series of 23 tweets where the first letter of each tweet spelled out the phrase.[4][24] Australian rapper Matthew Lambert of Hilltop Hoods, after winning the 2019 ARIA Music Award for Best Australian Live Act, included the phrase in his acceptance speech.[25]

Platforms

The meme has been shared by individuals on a number of platforms including Facebook and Twitter.[26] Podcast host Joe Rogan and internet personality Tank Sinatra used Instagram to spread the meme to their followers,[27] which in Rogan's case had included Mike Ritland.[23] The "Epstein didn't kill himself" meme also has appeared in TikTok videos,[1][20] which notably is frequented by a younger user base.[20]

Several users on dating apps, such as Tinder and Hinge, have written in their profiles that whether or not a someone accepts the premise of the meme is a relationship deal breaker.[28]

Products

Two beer companies, the Michigan-based Rusted Spoke Brewing Co.[29] and the Californian Tactical OPS Brewing,[30] advertised specialty-branded beers in connection to the meme.[21] Rusted Spoke's operations manager told the Detroit Free Press that people just thought the meme was funny.[31] In Switzerland, the Zürich-based company Kaex printed the meme on promotional material for an anti-hangover product.[32]

Computer programmer, businessman, and Presidential candidate John McAfee announced the release of an Ethereum-based token named after the meme. He had previously expressed doubts about Epstein's death.[note 2] Also known as WHACKD,[33] 700 million tokens of the cryptocurrency were released to 8,000 users following its airdrop.[2]

Holiday-theme merchandise, such as Christmas jumpers, which prominently feature the phrase also became available for sale through several online retailers.[27][35] In an interview with Slate, independent merchandisers indicated that the Christmas/Epstein product lines were selling comparatively well and cited the mashup's dark humor for its internet popularity.[35] According to Variety, the Christmas-themed paraphernalia was reportedly outselling Game of Thrones merchandise.[2]

Vandalism

The phrase has been the connected to several incidents of vandalism including its appearance "on road signs and overpasses around the country."[2] One specific incident saw the meme painted on 7-foot-high boulder and visible to travellers on Washington State Route 9 in Snohomish,[2] causing a bit of controversy in the local community.[36]

A popular art piece at the Art Basel in Miami, "Comedian",[note 3] was prominently vandalized when Roderick Webber of Massachusetts wrote "Epstien [sic] didn't kill himself" in red lipstick.[2][37] Webber was arrested for criminal mischief,[38] and he reportedly spent a night in jail.[39]

Reactions

NPR's Scott Simon compared the bait-and-switch aspect of the meme to Rickrolling.[8] He also worried that doing a news story about the meme could spread misinformation.[8] Federal prosecutors have tried to discourage the spread of the conspiracy theory, but the Associated Press reported, "[t]he phrase 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' has taken on a life of its own — sometimes more as a pop culture catchphrase than an actual belief."[40] According to a University of Chicago survey conducted by a professor who studies conspiracy theories, 30% of respondents reportedly professed a belief that Jeffrey Epstein had been murdered.[40]

Writer James Poulos cited the advancement of social media and growing populist sentiments for the meme.[3] Commentators have also suggested that growing distrust of government and the elite played a large factor in its popularity as well.[5][9][27] Jeet Heer with The Nation has expressed his worries that this could lead to the meme becoming a useful tool for recruitment for the far-right;[19] but Adam Bulger, in a featured article for BTRtoday, dismissed Heer's concerns and encouraged the Democratic Party to embrace the meme.[41]

In an article for Mel Magazine published shortly before the Fox News interview, Miles Klee wrote that there were numerous factors for the meme's rise online; among these included a "simmering resentment" and a lack of justice for Epstein's victims.[42][43] He further explained that a large attraction of sharing the "Epstein didn't kill himself" meme was it served as a method to keep the Epstein story within the news cycle.[26][43] Author Anna Merlan has instead argued that the meme over time tends to trivialize the concerns of Epstein's victims.[1] However, she mentioned that Jane Doe 15,[note 4] who on 19 November 2019 publicly alleged that Jeffrey Epstein had raped her,[note 5] wore a bracelet featuring the phrase "Epstein didn't kill himself" at a public press conference to possibly indicate her belief in the conspiracy theory.[1] According to Vice News, it is not clear why Jane Doe 15 chose to wear the bracelet.[44]

Notes

  1. ^ E.g. the removal of his cellmate without a replacement, the falling asleep of two guards who were meant to check on him, and the malfunction of two cameras in front of his cell.[15][16]
  2. ^ McAfee remains wanted in the United States for tax evasion.[33][34]
  3. ^ The exhibit previously featured a banana duct-taped to a white wall and had been sold for $120,000, but the banana was consumed by a performance artist the day before.[37][38]
  4. ^ Jane Doe 15 did not publicly reveal her name, and only said that she was 15-years-old at the time of the recounted events from 16 years ago.[44]
  5. ^ Doe also called on Prince Andrew and any others with relevant information about Epstein should testify what they knew about his criminal conduct while under oath.[45]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Poisson, Jayme; Merlan, Anna (20 November 2019). "Understanding the 'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme" (Audio). CBC News. Front Burner. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Khawaja, Jemayel (10 December 2019). "'Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Is Peak Meme After Art Basel Prank". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b Poulos, James (15 November 2019). "'Epstein didn't kill himself' and the decline of the elite". Orange County Register. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Raymond, Adam K. (11 November 2019). "The 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Meme Has Gone Mainstream". Intelligencer. Vox Media. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  5. ^ a b Goggin, Benjamin; Tenbarge, Kat (19 November 2019). "Why you're seeing Jeffrey Epstein murder memes everywhere". Insider. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  6. ^ a b Ellis, Emma Grey (15 November 2019). "'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' and the Meme-ing of Conspiracy". Wired. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  7. ^ Flood, Brian (12 November 2019). "'Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself' meme pops up on MSNBC". Fox News. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  8. ^ a b c "Epstein's Death Becomes A Meme". NPR. Weekend Edition Saturday. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  9. ^ a b Rothschild, Mike (7 November 2019). "Epstein died, but 'Epstein didn't kill himself' memes are alive and well". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  10. ^ Hallemann, Caroline (20 November 2019). "Prince Andrew Says He Regrets His "Ill-Judged Association" with Jeffrey Epstein". Town & Country. Hearst Digital Media. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  11. ^ Sisak, Michael R.; Balsamo, Michael; Neumeister, Larry (17 August 2019). "Medical examiner rules Epstein death a suicide by hanging". AP News. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  12. ^ Frias, Lauren (16 August 2019). "Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers blast 'medieval conditions' at federal jail where he died by suicide and say they are launching their own investigation". Business Insider. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  13. ^ Leon, Melissa (29 October 2019). "Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy more consistent with homicidal strangulation than suicide, Dr. Michael Baden reveals". Fox News. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  14. ^ O'Brien, Rebecca Davis; Ramey, Corinne (19 November 2019). "Jeffrey Epstein's Jail Guards Charged With Conspiracy, Records Falsification". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  15. ^ Benner, Katie; Ivory, Danielle; Oppel Jr, Richard A. (11 August 2019). "Before Jail Suicide, Epstein Was Left Alone and Not Closely Monitored". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  16. ^ Hosenball, Mark (28 August 2019). "FBI studies two broken cameras outside cell where Epstein died: source". Reuters. London. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  17. ^ Stewart, James B. (12 August 2019). "The Day Jeffrey Epstein Told Me He Had Dirt on Powerful People". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  18. ^ Stockler, Asher (27 August 2019). "Epstein Lawyers say evidence 'far more consistent' with murder than suicide". Newsweek. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  19. ^ a b c Heer, Jeet (18 November 2019). "Jeffrey Epstein Isn't Going Away". The Nation. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  20. ^ a b c d Armus, Teo (14 November 2019). "A GOP congressman hid a meme about Jeffrey Epstein's death in his impeachment tweets". Washington Post. Morning Mix. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  21. ^ a b Castrodale, Jelisa (13 November 2019). "This Beer Says 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' on the Bottom of Its Can". Vice. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  22. ^ Hein, Michael (3 November 2019). "Fox News Guest Sneaks in 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Comment During Live Segment". PopCulture.com. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  23. ^ a b Shultz, Alex (5 November 2019). "Why "Jeffrey Epstein Didn't Kill Himself" Started Trending Almost Three Months After His Death". GQ. Condé Nast. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  24. ^ Colasimone, Dan (15 November 2019). "A US Congressman sent out a series of coded tweets pointing to a rapidly spreading conspiracy theory". ABC News. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  25. ^ Rahman, Khaleda (27 November 2019). ""Jeffrey Epstein did not kill himself," rapper declares during award acceptance speech". Newsweek. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  26. ^ a b Royse, Dave (5 November 2019). "Why 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' Has Taken Over Memes, Social Media". Yahoo! Finance. Benzinga. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  27. ^ a b c Dougherty, Michael Brendan (13 November 2019). "'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself'". National Review. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  28. ^ Shultz, Alex (13 November 2019). "Why on Earth Are People Talking About Jeffrey Epstein in Their Dating Profile?". GQ. Condé Nast. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  29. ^ DeVito, Lee (11 November 2019). "Michigan brewery reminds us that Jeffrey Epstein probably didn't kill himself". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  30. ^ "Clovis brewery prints 'Epstein didn't kill himself' on the bottom of cans". KUTV. Clovis, CA. FOX26 News. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  31. ^ Morris, Taylor Nichole (11 November 2019). "Mackinaw City brewery names beer after Jeffrey Epstein conspiracy theory". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  32. ^ Blum, Pascal (10 December 2019). "Wahnsinnig lustig". Der Bund (in German). Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  33. ^ a b Webb, Sam (14 November 2019). "John McAfee launches 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' token". Yahoo! Finance. Coin Rivet. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  34. ^ Chung, Frank (11 November 2019). "John McAfee says Jeffrey Epstein was probably murdered". NZ Herald. News.com.au. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  35. ^ a b Mak, Aaron (15 November 2019). "The Latest Conspiracy Theory Merch Craze Is Jeffrey Epstein Christmas Swag". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  36. ^ Brown, Andrea (18 November 2019). "A cryptic meme splashes the usually benign rock of Snohomish". HeraldNet.com. Snohomish: Sound Publishing. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  37. ^ a b Ocasio, Bianca Padró (8 December 2019). "Wall of banana exhibit vandalized with lipstick at Art Basel: 'Epstien didn't kill himself'". Miami Herald. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  38. ^ a b Dickson, EJ (8 December 2019). ""Art Basel Miami: 'Epstein Didn't Kill Himself' and the $120,000 Banana". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  39. ^ ""Epstein no se mató": la polémica frase que pintaron donde estaba el plátano de 120 mil dólares". La República (in Spanish). Mundo. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  40. ^ a b Sisak, Michael R. (24 November 2019). "'Epstein didn't kill himself': Feds fail to snuff out conspiracy theories". Hartford Courant. New York. Associated Press. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  41. ^ Bulger, Adam (15 November 2019). "Democrats Need to be The Party of "Epstein Didn't Kill Himself"". BreakThru Radio. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  42. ^ McCarter, Reid (4 November 2019). "Man helpfully declares "Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself" at the tail end of a Fox News interview". The A.V. Club. G/O Media. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  43. ^ a b Klee, Miles (31 October 2019). "Memes Are Keeping the Jeffrey Epstein Story Alive". MEL Magazine. Dollar Shave Club. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  44. ^ a b Marcin, Tim (19 November 2019). "New Epstein Accuser Says He Raped Her When She Was 15". Vice News. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  45. ^ "'Jane Doe 15' urges Prince Andrew to tell authorities what he knows about Epstein". National Post. New York. Reuters. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
    "Alleged abuse victim wearing 'Epstein didn't kill himself' bracelet says Prince Andrew needs to talk to US authorities". ABC News. Reuters. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.

Further reading

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epstein_didn%27t_kill_himself&oldid=931205427"