The problem with the "this is all to cover up for Epstein" line is that it really diminishes how much of an actual threat Trump and his oligarch administration really is to everybody.
He is doing all this because he wants to, it is real, and it is not to cover up for anything. Without Epstein he would still be doing all this.
The fact that his avalanche of crimes does slightly cover up for Epstein is just his MO working as designed.
Well, the Des Moines Register certainly is.