The Indicator from Planet Money

What an Epstein recording reveals about how elites get jobs

February 25, 2026

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  • The analysis of the Epstein files and the recording with Ehud Barak reveals that for elites transitioning out of public office, personal networks and the ability to open doors are explicitly valued over technical expertise when securing lucrative private sector roles. 
  • The conversation between Epstein and Barak explicitly frames post-political success around leveraging personal debts and connections, such as creating a log of people who owe favors, rather than relying on policy knowledge. 
  • Research presented on lobbying payments suggests that lobbyists with personal connections to lawmakers are paid substantially more (about 9% more) than those who are topic experts, reinforcing the transactional nature of elite networking highlighted in the Epstein files. 

Segments

Elite Power Brokering Revealed
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(00:00:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Private companies prioritize hiring ex-politicians based on their ability to open doors and enhance reputation over other potential contributions.
  • Summary: Private companies seek ex-politicians because they understand how to leverage their influence for reputation or access. The episode focuses on elite power brokering revealed in the Epstein files, examining how personal networks are valued over competency. The discussion centers on the ‘revolving door’ concept where public and private sector networks blend.
Epstein Advice on IOU Tracking
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(00:04:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Jeffrey Epstein advised Ehud Barak to explicitly catalog individuals who owe him favors or are in his debt as a strategy for post-political monetization.
  • Summary: Epstein relayed advice suggesting Barak create a log of people indebted to him, detailing who owes him a favor or his life. Expert Matilda Bombardini interpreted this advice as emphasizing connections over expertise from a knowledge standpoint. This explicit focus on indebtedness points toward leveraging personal relationships for financial gain.
Door Opening as Primary Advantage
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(00:05:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Epstein explicitly confirmed to Barak that his primary advantage for potential employers is knowing rich people and having access, not necessarily his specific expertise.
  • Summary: When asked about his real advantage, Barak was told by Epstein that knowing rich people and having access are key factors. Barak acknowledged being the ‘door opener’ whom others respect and trust due to past collaboration. This aligns with research showing connected lobbyists earn significantly more than expert lobbyists.
Barak’s Post-Politics Career Moves
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(00:06:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Following the conversation, Ehud Barak rapidly secured consulting and board positions in finance, technology, and cannabis sectors, consistent with leveraging his network.
  • Summary: A few months after the recording, Barak became a special consultant for the Swiss bank Julius Baer to establish ties with wealthy Israelis. He subsequently joined the boards of biometric and public safety tech startups. Barak’s spokesperson emphasized his academic and military background, contrasting with Epstein’s focus on connections.
Epstein Network Toxicity
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(00:07:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Epstein encouraged Barak to leverage his personal connection with Vladimir Putin for post-office networking, but these valuable connections have since become toxic due to public scrutiny.
  • Summary: Epstein advised Barak to use his personal relationship with Vladimir Putin to arrange dinner meetings upon leaving office. Epstein’s wide-reaching network spanned political divides, connecting figures from Steve Bannon to Noam Chomsky. The connections Epstein promised would be valuable have now turned toxic under public exposure.