COLUMN: Epstein, Macron, and the Illusion of Justice: When Words Are No Longer Enough

The Resignation That Speaks Volumes

Jack Lang has resigned. Not by choice, but out of necessity. His name—and that of his daughter—appear in documents related to the Epstein case. This connection, while not necessarily implying guilt, is enough to make his position untenable at the helm of an institution like the Arab World Institute. Emmanuel Macron has “taken note” of his decision, without further comment. A minimalist, almost clinical reaction. Yet this resignation raises questions: Why Lang? Why only him? And what about the other French figures mentioned, whose names circulate in the corridors of power but never in public? Does the French justice system have the means—or even the will—to conduct a thorough investigation? Or will it prefer, once again, to let the United States do the dirty work?

Jack Lang’s resignation is an admission. An admission of weakness, of fear, of the impossibility of resisting media and judicial pressure. But it is also a smokescreen. Because Lang is just one name among many. Because behind him lies an entire system—an elite that protects itself, sticks together, and refuses to face the truth. And Macron, by remaining so cautious and refusing to commit any further, only confirms this impression: in France, some people are untouchable. Some are above the law. Some can sleep soundly, even when their names appear in a case as sordid as Epstein’s. So yes, the U.S. justice system must do its job. But the French justice system, for its part, must stop turning a blind eye.

Millions of pages, but still no truth

The U.S. Department of Justice has released more than three million pages of documents related to the Epstein case. Names, dates, sordid details. Yet, despite this apparent transparency, few new prosecutions have been brought. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice, is serving a prison sentence but refuses to cooperate fully. She is even demanding a presidential pardon in exchange for breaking her silence. In the United States, the case seems to be stalling, as if the most powerful are still being protected. Emmanuel Macron knows this. He says so himself: “Clearly, Epstein had a very extensive network, which justifies the justice system doing its work independently and calmly.” ” But isn’t “calm,” in a case like this, synonymous with complicity? Isn’t it a way of letting things settle down, of allowing the guilty to catch their breath, of creating the illusion that justice will be served, without it ever truly being so?

Three million pages. Three million pieces of evidence, details, names. And yet, nothing. Or so little. As if, once again, the powerful had found a way to evade justice. As if, once again, the victims were left by the wayside. I remember the promises, the thunderous declarations, the “never again.” But where are they, these commitments? Where is this justice that was finally supposed to triumph? It is drowning in procedures, in silences, in things left unsaid. And Macron, by calling for caution and refusing to get more involved, is merely participating in this farce. Because justice isn’t served “quietly.” Justice is served amid noise, in the spotlight, and with transparency—not in the shadows of the corridors of power.

When the Truth Becomes a Target

Emmanuel Macron also pointed out the risk of conspiracy theories surrounding the Epstein case. “I see that, behind the scenes, this is also fueling a lot of conspiracy theories and everything else,” he said, calling for “real journalism.” A pertinent remark, no doubt. But one that also sounds like a diversion. Because the real danger isn’t conspiracy theories. It’s impunity. It’s the feeling that, no matter what the evidence, no matter who’s involved, nothing will change. That the powerful will remain powerful, and the victims will remain victims. Conspiracy theories arise from opacity, from a lack of transparency, from the feeling that the truth is being hidden. So yes, we must fight against conspiracy theories. But first, we must fight against what fuels them: the impression that there is a two-tiered justice system, that some are untouchable, that the elites protect one another.

It’s easy to talk about conspiracy theories. It’s a way to divert attention, to pin the blame on the “crazy people,” the “extremists,” the “fanatics.” But the real madness is believing that people will continue to trust a system that betrays them—a system where men like Epstein can act with complete impunity for years on end. A system where politicians, business leaders, and celebrities are implicated in such serious cases, yet nothing ever happens to them. Conspiracy theories are the symptom. The disease is impunity. And as long as we don’t treat the disease, the symptoms will continue to multiply. So yes, Macron is right: we need real journalism. But above all, we need a real justice system. A justice system that isn’t afraid. A justice system that doesn’t back down. A justice system that, finally, does its job.

The Ambiguous Role of French Diplomacy

Emmanuel Macron has chosen to remain on the sidelines. “I do not wish to take part in a public debate on this subject,” he stated. This is perhaps an understandable position for a head of state anxious not to interfere in the judicial affairs of a foreign country. But to what extent is this restraint justified? When French public figures are involved, when there may be French victims, shouldn’t France play a more active role? Why not demand greater judicial cooperation? Why not launch an independent investigation in France to shed full light on any possible links between French nationals and the Epstein network? Caution is a virtue. But silence, at times, is a fault.

I am not asking Emmanuel Macron to take the place of the justice system. I am not asking him to act as a prosecutor. But I am asking him not to look the other way. Not to hide behind empty platitudes. Not to give the impression that France has nothing to do with this case. Because if French citizens are involved, then France has everything to do with this case. And if there are French victims, then France has a duty to act. Not tomorrow. Now. Because every day of silence is one more day for the guilty. Every day of waiting is a day of suffering for the victims. And every day that we choose caution over the truth is a day that we betray what we’re supposed to defend: justice, equality, and dignity.

When the Justice System Forgets Those It Is Supposed to Protect

In the Epstein case, the victims are conspicuously absent. Their names are almost never mentioned. Their faces remain hidden. Yet they are the ones who endured the worst horrors. They are the ones bearing the scars of those years of violence, exploitation, and manipulation. Emmanuel Macron has emphasized that the justice system must “defend the victims.” But how can we defend them if we do not listen to them? If we do not give them a voice? If we prefer to talk about procedures, judicial jurisdiction, and national borders rather than their suffering? Justice is not just about case files, hearings, and verdicts. Justice is also about recognition. It is the opportunity for those who have been broken to rebuild their lives—to know that their pain has been heard, that their truth has been acknowledged, and that their abuser has been punished.

I often think of these victims. Of these women, these young girls, these lives shattered by powerful, protected, untouchable men. I think of their courage, their determination, their refusal to remain silent. And I wonder: is anyone really listening to them? Is anyone, somewhere, fighting for them? Or are they just numbers in a file, names on a list, details in a scandal that captivates the media but which, deep down, won’t change anything? Because if the justice system doesn’t defend them, who will? If politicians don’t listen to them, who will? If we, as citizens, are content to just shrug our shoulders and move on, who will care about them? They deserve better. They deserve for us to fight for them. Not tomorrow. Today.

The Urgency of International and Transparent Justice

The Epstein case is a global scandal. It transcends borders, judicial jurisdictions, and national sovereignties. Addressing it requires seamless international cooperation. The American, French, British, and all other relevant judicial systems must work hand in hand. Victims must be heard, wherever they may be. The guilty parties, wherever they may be, must be held accountable for their actions. Emmanuel Macron is right about one thing: the justice system must do its job. But it cannot do so alone. It needs the support of governments, the media, and citizens. It needs us to reject impunity. To demand the truth. To refuse to let the powerful dictate the rules of the game.

I’m not naive. I know that justice is slow. I know it’s imperfect. I know it’s sometimes corrupt, influenced, or hijacked. But I refuse to believe that all is lost. I refuse to believe that there’s nothing we can do. Because if we give up, if we accept the unacceptable, then we become accomplices. Then we bear some of the responsibility for this farce. Then we betray everything we believe in. So yes, justice must do its job. But so must we. We must demand action. We must speak out. We must fight. Because if we don’t, who will?

Don’t give up, don’t forget

The media has a crucial role to play. It must continue to investigate, to expose, and to ask the tough questions. It must refuse to be intimidated, distracted, or bought off. And we, as citizens, also have a responsibility: not to forget, and not to grow accustomed to scandal. We have a responsibility not to accept that men like Epstein—and those who protected them—go unpunished. Because if we forget, they win. If we remain silent, they triumph. If we look the other way, they carry on. So no, we have no right to forget. We have no right to remain silent. We have no right to give up.

I end this article with a cold anger, an unwavering determination. Because I refuse to live in a world where men like Epstein can act with complete impunity. Where accomplices can sleep soundly. Where victims are left voiceless. So yes, justice must do its job. But so must we. We must be the guardians of memory. The voices of those whom others have sought to silence. The sentinels of truth. Because if we don’t do it, who will? Because if we give up, who will be left to fight? So today, I choose not to remain silent. I choose not to forget. I choose to fight. What about you?

Justice or Impunity: We Must Make a Choice

The Epstein case is a test. A test for justice, for politicians, for the media, for all of us. It forces us to choose: the side of truth or lies, of transparency or opacity, of justice or impunity. Emmanuel Macron has made his choice. He has chosen caution, restraint, and silence. But silence, at times, is a betrayal. So today, I ask all of us: what will our choice be? That of cowardice, or that of courage? That of forgetting, or that of remembering? That of impunity, or that of justice? Because history will judge us. Not by our words, but by our actions. Not by our statements, but by our commitments. Not by what we have said, but by what we have done.

I don’t know if justice will prevail. I don’t know if the guilty will pay. I don’t know if the victims will receive redress. But I know one thing: if we don’t fight, if we don’t speak out, if we don’t demand action, then we will have already lost. Then we will have already made our choice. Then we will have already betrayed. So today, I ask you: whose side will you be on? That of the perpetrators, or that of the victims? That of the accomplices, or that of the righteous? Because the time has come to decide. And this time, there is no room for the undecided.

Signed, Jacques Provost