I’d like to know who coined this phrase, but no one seems to know.

Anyway here’s what Wiktionary and Wikipedia have to say.

Epstein class

As a result of negative public opinion towards the contents of the Epstein files, a political neologism has emerged called the “Epstein class”. It has been used in contemporary public discourse to denote wealthy, powerful, well-connected individuals or dynasties, viewed as operating with impunity from legal and moral accountability, especially in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. They are seen as part of the ruling class and the transnational capitalist class who own capital in multiple countries. Its use has been largely spearheaded by United States House representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie as well as United States senator Jon Ossoff.

A class of elites in the United States that is associated with Jeffrey Epstein, and possibly involved in his crimes.
2026 March 2, Astead Herndon, Cameron Peters, quoting Ro Khanna, “The “Epstein class,” explained: Why Rep. Ro Khanna isn’t done talking about the Epstein files”, in Vox‎[1], archived from the original on 6 March 2026:
Can you give us a status update [on the Epstein files]? How much is still out there?
At least 50 percent still has been hidden, covered up. But what has been released is shocking. [Rep. Thomas] Massie and I didn’t think we’d get this far. They’ve released a fair amount. They’re keeping the worst stuff, but what they’ve released is not a good look at our elite class. It’s not a good look at the Epstein class.

(derogatory, collective) Wealthy and powerful people; billionaires.
2026 February 11, David Wallace-Wells, quoting Jon Ossoff, “Affordability and the ‘Epstein Class’ Will Define American Politics”, in The New York Times, Opinion:
“We were told that MAGA was for working-class Americans,” Senator Jon Ossoff, Democrat of Georgia, said in a speech last weekend. “But this is a government of, by and for the ultrarich. It is the wealthiest cabinet ever. This is the Epstein class, ruling our country.”