Desperate job seekers are using ‘Your name is in the Epstein Files’ as email bait to get noticed

The Jeffrey Epstein saga has long moved beyond congressional hearings and calls for transparency. It has now fully permeated popular culture — so much so that a job seeker reportedly referenced the infamous list just to get someone to open their email after repeated applications went ignored.

The Donald Trump administration has been frequently reported as manipulating unemployment numbers behind the scenes — and globally, underemployment has been rampant. For most people, this means the familiar frustration of sending applications without knowing if a human will ever see them.

According to Complex, one applicant sent an email with the subject line: “Your name is in Eipstein files” — perhaps the sly typo nodding to the questionable grammar in the actual Epstein files. In the body, the applicant apologized for the dramatic subject, then admitted it was the only way they could grab the recipient’s attention. To be fair, the job was in marketing — and if you believe the ends justify the means, it’s easy to see the logic. 

One Instagram user commented, “If anyone was wondering how bad the job market is right now, this should be a clear indication.” Another added, “He’s definitely not getting hired, but whoever does hire him knows his worth.” That seemed to capture the general sentiment online, with a third user noting, “Marketing is about arresting attention and then sending a message. He achieved that. Give him that job.” Reality, however, may be more complicated — business owners don’t necessarily see it the same way.

NDTV reports that the tactic has spread to the tech industry. A student sent a similar email to Legitt AI CEO Harshdeep Rapal, who did not find it amusing. Rapal took to social media, stating: “Folks, please don’t do this. Take a moment to understand the context. At Legitt AI, we work in the business of contracts. It’s serious work that requires accountability, ownership, and professionalism. If your very first email to me has that kind of subject line and opening message, I (and honestly, most founders or business leaders) simply won’t respond.”

Meanwhile, the term “Epstein class” has gone viral on social media. It refers not only to the co-conspirators of the late convicted pedophile but also to members of society’s upper echelon — the C-suites and penthouses of major cities worldwide. The term underscores how some in the business world live far above what most of us consider the baseline human experience. When the rest of us are worried about the economy, they throw parties. When protests fill the streets, they’re sending emails mocking families striving to make a difference for future generations.

It’s therefore somewhat ironic that job seekers believe a reference to Epstein might grab the attention of business leaders. Historically, an email bearing Epstein’s name was a coveted opener — from billionaire heirs to bank CEOs, royals, and even White House counsels, Epstein was treated as a gatekeeper, despite his association with heinous crimes.

However, if your goal is actually to land a job, this is not the icebreaker you want. So far, the strategy seems to be backfiring.