What to Know
Because of the increased interest in the Epstein files, some influencers have seen the topic as a way to increase engagement on social media. According to recent reports from several publications, multiple influencers have actually traveled to Little Saint James, which is also commonly referred to as Epstein’s island. Reactions to this content have been super mixed. On one hand, people think it’s insensitive and problematic to go to Epstein’s island to build a following on social media. But on the other hand, though it’s unconventional, it might be another way to draw attention to the Jeffrey Epstein case, especially as the Trump administration seems to want people to stop talking about it.
“Epstein Island” videos have garnered more than 52 million views.
Obviously, though the Department of Justice was required to release files related to the convicted sex offender, a lot of unanswered questions remain. Many of the released files were heavily redacted, and about 2.5 million documents still haven’t been released, per CNN. Interest in the Epstein files is definitely there, and influencers are clearly taking advantage of it.
NBC News reviewed more than 15 YouTube videos made by content creators who went to Epstein’s island. According to the Daily Mail, at least nine have been uploaded in 2026.
The content in the videos tends to be quite similar, according to NBC and The Independent. In most, a content creator flies to St. Thomas, talks to locals about Epstein and the island, and then gets to the island via jet ski.
Some influencers say they’re doing this to raise awareness.
YouTuber Ben Lisi has gone near the island but not actually made it to the island itself. Though the content is “silly” in nature and didn’t involve actually visiting the island, Lisi told NBC that he hopes it can help draw attention to the Epstein files.
“Even though it’s just a silly video, and we didn’t actually sneak on the island or anything, but we just saw it, I think it still brings more attention to it,” he told the news outlet. “And hopefully, in some small way, can bring justice to the victims and help expose or continue to bring to light what’s going on behind closed doors.”
Of course, influencers also want to go viral on social media. One of the YouTubers who spoke to NBC admitted this. YouTuber Ahmad Aburob told the news outlet that he “went in very quickly to do that video because I knew it will go viral.” He added, “The latest release of Epstein files, that created a trend, and that trend caused YouTubers to go there to kind of ride on that trend.”
Of course, some people don’t love this and find it inappropriate, but Aburob doesn’t think it’s an issue. “It’s okay to latch on to whatever drama you can find while doing the experience, in my opinion,” he said.
People’s reactions are quite mixed.
A common opinion (in general) is that influencer culture has gotten out of hand. Some critics see this “trend” as proof of this. “This shouldn’t be content or anything like that,” one critic wrote on Reddit. “This is just disgusting.”
Others, however, were OK with it because, at the very least, it means people are still talking about the Epstein files. “At least this probably indicates public interest in the Epstein Files, and will probably drive awareness,” another Redditor wrote. “I’m not in love with this method, but I’ll take my silver linings where I can.”
And someone else said, “On one hand, f— influencers and everything they represent as where we’re heading as a society. On the other hand, if it helps bring more attention and awareness to all things related to Epstein and it gets more people interested and talking about it, that’s a good thing.”
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