It's like the motto Pablo Escobar operated during his criminal days: Plata O Plomo, translated silver or lead. Silver stands for money or bribes and lead for bullets or assassination.
I think that's two of the reasons why victims in a criminal case don't come forward, either they were bribed or their lives were threatened. I don't see the Epstein files being released while Trump is still in power. That's what ended his relationship with Musk. Musk maintained that Trump's name is in the Epstein files as part of the perpetrators.
Self-preservation is man's oldest and strongest instinct. And politicians have this instinct too. They don't want to vacate their positions or endure public disgrace, so they will go any length to suppress incriminating facts against them. And in their case this would be particularly effective, since they have all the resources of the state at their disposal and they control the state.
I read once about Trump calling for the arrest of former President Obama. But he can't release the Epstein files. Sheer hypocrisy. I think a panel that investigates American presidents after they step down should be opened up. There's a lot of nastiness brewing beneath that we all are oblivious of.
They weren't released when Biden was in power either. Seems both sides are well represented in them.
They don't even investigate before. Has Trump released his financials yet?