The Epstein files were supposed to be an exercise in government transparency, but they have also spawned their own opaque subgenre of conspiracy theories. The agency, whose secretive nature and checkered past put it at the center of so many conspiracy theories, did not respond to CNN’s request for comment. But the Justice Department claims not to have withheld any Epstein documents for national security reasons. The state land commissioner called for an investigation when the anonymous tip was released as part of the Epstein files. There are not yet any known conspiracy theories attached to the multiple mentions of lasagna in Epstein-related emails.

Source: CNN February 21, 2026 18:31 UTC