In the shiny, curated world of Silicon Valley “wellness” and billionaire-adjacent influencers, a disturbing new trend has emerged: the casual mockery of the Epstein files. We see it in the Instagram stories of women like Gerelyn Gilbert-Soto—women who have successfully navigated the “pipeline” from Burning Man to private jets—laughing off the public’s caution about the men named in these documents.

For those of us who have been in those rooms, the joke isn’t funny. It’s an insult to every woman who chose her integrity over an easy path to the top.

The Power of Intimidation – Epstein Files

I have worked alongside some of the men named in these Epstein files. I know the energy they carry. It is the energy of absolute, unchecked power—often wielded by older men who view young women not as peers, but as currency.

They don’t just ask; they intimidate. They use their status to create an environment where the cost of entry is your dignity. I know this because I lived it. I was harassed by men in these circles. And unlike the women currently “catering” to these titans 24/7, I said no.

The Career Penalty just like in Epstein files

We need to be honest about what happens to women who don’t “bow down.” When I refused to give in to the power plays of these influential men, my career didn’t just slow down—it was halted.

In Silicon Valley, there is a hidden tax on integrity. While some women are securing their financial future through “strategic” relationships and billion-dollar settlements, others are being blackballed because they wouldn’t play the game. To see women like Gerelyn mock the caution surrounding Epstein’s network is a slap in the face to every survivor who lost their livelihood for refusing to be a part of it.

Fact Check: The 2026 “Epstein Class”

While influencers laugh, the unredacted files released in January and February 2026 provide a grim look at the men who were part of this circle. These aren’t “conspiracies”; these are documented connections from the 3 million pages recently made public:

Sergey Brin: Unredacted emails show the Google co-founder in direct correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell. Newly released photos from Epstein’s personal collection also place Brin in social settings alongside Epstein and other high-profile figures.
Les Wexner: The Victoria’s Secret billionaire was explicitly labeled a “co-conspirator” in a 2019 FBI document finally unmasked last month. And he was already before the Epstein files came out accused of inappropriate behavior towards women.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem: The DP World CEO resigned just weeks ago after files revealed emails to Epstein boasting about sexual encounters and discussing “torture videos.”
The Global Elite: The 2026 list includes titans—from Bill Gates and Leon Black to Peter Mandelson—who are now being forced to answer for “warm relationships” and financial ties to a man whose primary business was the abuse of girls.

Defending the “Meal Ticket” – Epstein files or not

It is no coincidence that the mockery comes from those currently benefiting most. By labeling herself a “MAGA Girlfriend” or a “Holistic Coach,” Gerelyn is using a persona to shield the very system she relies on.

When she makes fun of people who are “cautious” about these connections, remember: she is defending her lifestyle. To her, these names in the Epstein files are just “friends” or “mentors” of her partner. To us, they represent the very men who tried to break our careers when we said no.

A Call to Young Women

To the young women entering these high-stakes industries: Do not let the caviar-topped rice cakes and the yacht yoga fool you. Epstein files and the men in it are real.

The “Shortcut” Has a Price: The women laughing at these files today are often those who have traded their voice for a seat on the jet.
Your “No” Matters: It might be harder. You might be told you “don’t fit the culture.” But that “culture” is one of intimidation and silence.

We must stop rewarding those who facilitate this behavior and start honoring the women who had the courage to walk away. Caution isn’t a “conspiracy”; it’s a necessary response to a history of abuse. For those of us who felt the weight of that power, we aren’t laughing. We’re watching.