DoorDash Driver Detained in Nancy Guthrie Case Is Released as Mystery Deepens Over Missing Grandma

Summary

The Morning Meeting – Episode Summary Podcast: The Morning Meeting
Host: Mark Halperin with co-hosts Kevin Walling and Larry O’Connor
Date: February 11, 2026
Title: DoorDash Driver Detained in Nancy Guthrie Case Is Released as Mystery Deepens Over Missing Grandma

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire tour through America’s news cycle, focusing on the day’s big stories from blockbuster jobs data and midterm politics, to live updates on the Nancy Guthrie disappearance, the handling of the Epstein files, Pam Bondi’s Capitol Hill testimony, and the looming government shutdown over immigration. The panel mixes in humor, audience interaction, and inside-TV banter, giving listeners both a rundown of the day’s news agenda and lively behind-the-scenes insight into how network meetings drive TV coverage.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

I. Hot News Agenda & Daybook Recap

Timestamps: [06:11]–[11:24]

• White House events & significant meetings: President’s day includes a meeting with “the champion of coal” (revealed to be Donald Trump), Blair House visit from Israeli PM, and various Cabinet and Congressional hearings.
• Senate and House maneuvering: Focus on the SAVE Act, immigration reform, and looming government shutdowns.
• State events: Maryland Governor West Moore’s State of the State, Kamala Harris’ book tour, UK Prime Minister’s feisty Parliament appearance.
• TV News Angle: The hosts mock the performativity and scramble of political coverage; urge listeners to engage ("You don’t just sit there passively").

II. Economic “Blockbuster” Report & Political Spin

Timestamps: [11:41]–[19:13]

• Strong employment numbers: January jobs data beat gloomy expectations, with construction and private sector jobs up. (C: “This is a good thing for the country.” [01:43])
• Why pessimism? Seasonality, winter layoffs, and fears over AI-driven job losses fueled negative forecasts. [12:06]
  • (B: “There’s just been a trend here for AI and automation displacing a lot of employment.” [12:06])
• Political implications: Republicans spin the numbers as proof of “promises kept,” while Democrats cherry-pick negatives. Public perception and “hope in people’s wallets” is key for midterm momentum.
  • (D: Nikki Haley, on affordability: “If Americans don’t feel like there’s some hope with their wallets ... we will lose.” [16:40])
  • (C: “Perception is everything in politics.” [17:02])
• No major new legislation expected: Consensus is that little substantive change is coming before elections; both sides are staking out fixed positions.

III. Nancy Guthrie Case – Media and Law Enforcement Critique

Timestamps: [19:13]–[21:27]

• Latest developments: DoorDash driver previously detained is released; media heavily criticized for hyping unsubstantiated detentions, fueling a “viral true crime” dynamic.
• Media ethics: Panel questions why law enforcement and TV news announce detentions without charges (A: “Isn’t this just a horrible way to run a railroad?...Just seems stupid.” [19:13])
• Coverage excess: Discussion of cable networks interrupting Olympics coverage and mass speculation—a caution on public and press responsibility.

IV. Pam Bondi’s Capitol Hill Testimony – SPOTLIGHT

Timestamps: [21:27]–[24:44]

• Anticipation & Strategy: Testimony expected to be combative, with Bondi likely to attack Democratic questioners and Republicans potentially pressing on document redactions (notably Epstein files).
  • (B: quoting Raskin: “She engages in evasion and ad hominem attacks, so we’re going to have to deal with her.” [22:32])
• Inside Baseball: Watching for “breakout” moments, e.g., Rep. Brandon Gill (B, C: “Breakout star of these committee hearings.” [24:58]), and the viral content that may shape public perceptions.

V. Immigration, CRs, and Shutdown Threats

Timestamps: [25:00]–[28:02]

• Polls: President faces 39% approval, 61% disapproval on immigration (NBC poll) [25:15]
• Stalemate: Neither party seems eager to compromise on ICE policy or pass a continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a Homeland Security shutdown, even with looming Munich security conference travel needs.

VI. Filibuster Fight and Legislative Tactics

Timestamps: [28:02]–[31:21]

• GOP pressure to end filibuster for SAVE Act: Some momentum among Senate Rs, but institutional resistance remains.
  • (B: “I’m going to say between six and seven [chance] ... there’s a groundswell amongst the conservative commentary.” [28:37])
  • (C: “I’m at 0.0 ... The Senate, they’re pretty immovable.” [30:13])
• Host banter about dramatic procedural “nuclear options.”

VII. Ukraine/Russia Peace Prospects

Timestamps: [31:23]–[33:27]

• Financial Times report: Denied by Ukraine, but panel thinks there’s substance to rumors of a spring referendum and elections.
  • (A: “This could happen, ladies and gentlemen. ... there’s a timetable for June to get all the business done.” [32:26])

VIII. Israel/Iran – Biden & Netanyahu Meeting

Timestamps: [33:27]–[34:56]

• Photo op theater: Expect "show of unity" but no substantive Q&A.
  • (B: "White House is trying to project ... they’re closer to a military strike against Iran." [34:41])
  • (C: "No daylight between these two and a bear hug." [35:00])

IX. Epstein Revelations and Fallout

Timestamps: [35:03]–[39:51] and [44:50]–[48:30]

• Twisting political ownership: At first cast as a Democratic scandal; now revelations and public attention shift to Republican ties (Bannon, Trump, Lutnick).
• Steve Bannon: Under scrutiny for close relationship with Epstein and withholding interview tapes.
  • (B: “It should be the end of Bannon’s influence, but I don’t know.” [36:23])
• Victim justice vs. public spectacle: Callers and hosts reflect on the “court of public opinion” and limits of real accountability.

X. Global & Domestic Political Intrigue

Timestamps: [39:51]–[43:16]

• Grand jury declines to indict Mark Kelly (D) and others on sedition; partisan divides in DC justice system.
• Munich Security Conference: Notably high-profile US delegation including Newsom, AOC, Governor Whitmer. Panel speculates on AOC’s and Newsom’s agendas, and the shadow of “2028 preview” with JD Vance’s previous speech.
• Parliament banter: Colorful clips from UK PM’s skirmish in Parliament (“And I’ll tell you another thing’s down—the number of Tory MPs.” [39:27]).

XI. Audience Q&A Highlights

Timestamps: [44:50]–[60:54]

• El Paso Airport “closure” confusion: Ultimately attributed to Mexican cartel drones; hosts riff on shifting national villains.
• Epstein revelations: Money laundering angle discussed; legislative follow-up on unsealed financial records promised.
• Venezuela: New general amnesty discussed as potential stabilization tool.
• Rahm Emanuel’s viability for Democratic nomination: Panel skeptical about coalition-building, citing left-wing opposition and party culture. (C: “He is one of the kind of more thought leaders in this space ... [but] it’s going to be tough.” [56:09])
• Humorous city-population rivalry (El Paso vs. Providence) and “fun facts” segment.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the morning’s top agenda:
  “It’s almost like a David Mamet script or ... an Aaron Sorkin, just quote quips and jibes and little inside ... That’s what you get here. That’s what you’re paying for.” (A, 03:04)

• Kevin on jobs report optimism:
  “I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster ever since, you know, the other day with Peter Navarro. So now I’m back on a high. This is a good thing for the country.” (C, 01:43)

• On media handling of Guthrie detainment:
  “Isn’t this just a horrible way to run a railroad? Like, catch somebody, question them ... But why announce something like that? Am I wrong? It just seems stupid.” (A, 19:13)

• Raskin, on Pam Bondi:
  “She engages in evasion and ad hominem attacks, so we're going to have to deal with her.” (B quoting Raskin, 22:32)

• On Senate filibuster:
  “As an optimist, I’m going to say between six and seven right now [chance of ending].” (B, 28:37)
  “I’m at 0.0 ... The Senate, they’re pretty immovable.” (C, 30:13)

• On Epstein coverage:
  “This entire exercise in releasing all of the documents is not an exercise in justice. ... There is a belief that there has been a lack of transparency and there’s been a cover up at the highest ... governmental levels in this country. ... This is more about there is a belief that there has been a lack of transparency and there’s been a cover up at the highest ... governmental levels in this country.” (B, 45:44)

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Important Timestamps by Segment

• [06:11] — Daybook rundown and White House/Capitol agenda
• [11:41] — Jobs data, economic optimism, and political reaction
• [19:13] — Nancy Guthrie case; media and law enforcement scrutiny
• [21:27] — Pam Bondi hearing preview
• [25:00] — Immigration, government shutdown odds
• [28:02] — Filibuster showdown
• [31:23] — Ukraine/Russia and peace prospects
• [33:27] — Iran, Israel, and US diplomatic signals
• [35:03] — Epstein file fallout and partisan accountability
• [39:51] — Grand jury on sedition, Munich Security Conference preview
• [44:50] — Audience Q&A: justice in Epstein, El Paso airport, city-size trivia
• [51:40] — Amusing “city population” banter and continued Q&A

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Tone & Style

• Lively, bantering, and frequently irreverent (“It’s like the first time I saw Fantasia on acid. ... I cannot believe El Paso is the 23rd largest city.” [04:13])
• Self-aware and meta, poking fun at news industry conventions and the show’s “insider” aura.
• Engaged with audience questions, but never above keeping the pace brisk or dropping in running gags (“bubble cuddle blanket,” “no smack in the chat”).

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a whirlwind masterclass in the mechanics and misfires of America’s news/political ecosystem. It blends up-to-the-minute agenda setting (jobs data, Hill testimonies, government infighting) with stinging satire and a forum for listener participation. Expect quick takes on breaking stories (from missing-persons “true crime” fever to geopolitical chess in Ukraine, and the evolving Epstein scandal), media criticism, political strategy talk, and a parade of memorable quotes—all in the style of a network morning show gone delightfully rogue.

Transcript

[A]

This is it.

[B]

The world as you know it is over. Completely done. It's not about to be over. It's over.

[A]

Some of the scientists who helped build AI are now sounding the alarm. I was selling AI as a great thing for decades and I was wrong. I was wrong. There's a longer term existential threat that will arise when we create digital beings that, that are more intelligent than ourselves. We have no idea whether we can stay in control. While others say that AI will usher in unfathomable abundance, I've always believed that it's going to be the most important invention that humanity will ever make.

[B]

This really will be a world of abundance.

[A]

And among these fears and these fantasies, we seek the story of our future. Listen to the last invention on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. The economic employment data that came out at 8:30 Eastern Time today is either according to one CNBC analyst, blockbuster or according to another. So I don't know which it is, but it certainly beat expectations. I was led to believe by everybody I know that the job numbers were going to be like doom and gloom for America, but also for the political prospects of Republicans, and they're certainly not. That will unpack that and much, much more on an action packed episode of the morning meeting. Cue the open. Oh, we don't have an open. Larry and Kevin are here. Gentlemen, thank you for being here. Kevin, are you more in the Blockbuster school on this job data as you've analyzed it with your Wharton degree or more meth?

[C]

I've been on an emotional roller coaster ever since, you know, the other day with Peter Navarro. So now I'm back on a high. This is a good thing for the country.

[A]

All right, Larry, how are these numbers for you?

[B]

I was expecting a pretty rough number. This is a great number. Yeah. This number.

[A]

Yeah. All right, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to talk about the jobs data. We're going to talk about the midterms, we're going to talk about ice. Pam Bondi on the Hill Epstein and Gavin Newsom going back to Europe at the end of the week. All that, your participation. This is two way. It's not one way. You don't just sit there passively and listen and say, if I could talk to Kevin Walling, I'd give him a piece of my mind. Or I wish I could share with Larry some question that I have and get an answer like going to Mount Olympus. Well, no, you can do both those things right here on today's episode. Opportunity of a lifetime. If you've never asked a question, why not today? Raise your hand high using the electronic yellowish hand. It's almost like a. A yellow submarine. Ish yellow. If you've seen the Beatles classic film and you have the color corrected version, raise your hand if you want to be part of the conversation. If you're watching on X, you're watching on YouTube, don't raise your hand, but instead. But instead, don't put smack in the chat. This program is based on the network news division's morning meetings. And we talk about things in a way rapid fire. It's almost like a. It's like a David Mamet script or what's the guy's name who did the West Wing? What's that guy's name?

[B]

You know, Aaron Sorkin.

[A]

Aaron Sorkin. It's like an Aaron Sorkin. Just quote quips and, and jibes and little inside and Dennis Miller style references. The more obscure the better. That's what you get here. That's what you're paying for. Please enjoy it. And again, please participate in the conversation. If you're here on the two way platform, the phone lines are open. As they say, the phone lines are open. Thank you for being part of two way. Quick word from a sponsor and then I'm going to race through the daybook and there's some exciting things in the daybook. And then and only then. Sorry, I'm dealing with a little technical issue here. Then and only then will Larry and Kevin be unshackled. They won't just be eye candy. They'll be talking, they'll be gabbing. Here we go.

[C]

In rare form for this Wednesday morning.

[A]

I'm fired up. And I'll tell this.

[C]

He's ruining this energy.

[A]

I'll tell everybody why I'm fired up. I learned today, by the way, the El Paso thing is nothing. We'll explain what it is in a minute. It's anticlimactic. It's not a Martian invasion. I learned today that El paso is the 23rd most populous city in the United States. It's. It has blown my mind. It's like the first time I saw Fantasia on Acid. I cannot believe El paso is the 23rd largest city. It's larger, Kevin. What's it larger than? San Antonio?

[C]

Larger than Baltimore?

[A]

Larger than Baltimore. Come on, people, don't put in the chat. Oh, Mark, everybody knew that. Larger than Memphis, larger than Vegas. No, none of you knew it. Not one of you. And you're acting like I'm nuts for being so surprised. Anyway.

[C]

Larger than Anchorage.

[A]

Anyway here's what. Something to calm me down. Putting the bubble cuddle blanket on from Cozy Earth. Cozy Earth makes a bubble cuddle blanket. Makes a nice set of pajamas. It makes a super nice set of towels and sheets. And. And the pants will change your life. If you buy the pants, they'll change your life. All of this and more. Available for 20% off. Go to cozyearth.com use the promo code 2WMM. That stands for two way morning meeting 2WMM. You get 20% off and you can buy gifts for people for Valentine's Day birthday presents. But mostly buy stuff for yourself and your pets. Every pet. Any of you have a pet? Do you haven't bought a bubble cuddle blanket for Likely. I'm not promising likely. I will call the Humane Society. And say what? Alan has not bought a bubble cuddle blanket for his puppy. Alan, please. All of you, right now, go to cozy earth.com put in the promo code 2 WMM. Start your new year off right. Give your home the luxury it deserves and make home the best part of life again. Cozyearth.com, promo code 2W M M. Buy.

[B]

The product Mark is endorsing or he will report you to the authorities. This is a hell of a tactic, Halperin.

[A]

Yeah, I will just say. I will just say, larry, all this will be clear to others later. You ruined the pause I was supposed to be doing there for.

[B]

Oh, I apologize.

[A]

No, no apology necessary. Just training you on the spot.

[B]

Anyway, you did not. You were, I think, to give me an alert ahead of time.

[A]

Yes, well, I think I know my fault. I think it worked. I think it's okay. Otherwise, we'll do what we call you.

[B]

Call.

[A]

You take away audio. You call that wiping it like when Hillary Clinton said wipe. Fix it in post. Okay, here we go, ladies and gentlemen.

[C]

Are we. Are we live or is this rehearsal?

[A]

Rehearsal?

[B]

This is still rehearsal, right?

[A]

We're starting it. Starting. Starting the show in 3, 2, 1. The White House pool today. Let's show the White House pool is made up of an interesting amalgamation. Now, interestingly, there's no open press events. Oh, yes, there is. I take it back. He's meeting with the champion of coal. Don't know what that is. Anyway, I'm not. I'm just noting the pool here. Bloomberg is the secondary print. Semaphore is new media. 11 o', clock, the President meets with BB. BB's meeting with Marco Rubio, I think at this hour over at Blair House. Beautiful facility right across the street from the White House. I was there yesterday. It's the thing is more of a fortress than I've ever seen. Like you can't get anywhere near the White House without it.

[C]

Actually it's well and Blair House is actually bigger square footage wise than the White House. Fun.

[A]

Yes, it's massive. Although maybe not after the ballroom. Anyway, Blair House is gigantic. He meets with the president, meets with Bibi Netanyahu at 11:04 o', clock, participates in the champion of coal events. Anybody know what that is? Champion of cold event, don't know. And then at 5:30 closed press he's meeting with the president special envoy to the United Kingdom. Do you all know who the US's special envoy the United Kingdom is? It's reality TV. Mark Burnett, producer Mark Burnett, touched by an angel and all sorts of other things in the Apprentice, the vice president winding his way back from Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Olympics and having done a gaggle with the media where he said a bunch of interesting things, nothing shocking but he, he, he engaged on a lot of topics, including Howard Lutnick said he hadn't really been following it because he's busy doing other stuff. Pam Bondi, 10 o' clock testifying on Capitol Hill, House Judiciary. It's a Justice Department oversight hearing but man, there's going to be a lot of topics at that one. And we'll talk about that in a moment. Doug Collins, our friend Secretary Collins, VA Secretary testifying in front of House Veterans Affairs. And as I said before, Secretary Rubio is meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu at Blair House. Lots going on with the Senate. Senate Republicans are trying to figure out what to do about the SAVE act and a bunch of other stuff. They got a lot of strategic decisions to make so they're not voting until tonight. But this they're meeting privately to figure stuff out and that's as the House Republic House considers the SAVE act and they're likely to pass it and toss it over to the Senate and the Senate's going to figure out what to do because aren't 60 votes for that. We'll talk about that in a second. Westmore noon. State of his state address in Annapolis. Larry, how beautiful is the Maryland Capitol building?

[B]

It's the most beautiful Capitol building and it is one of the most predates the the the Constitution of the United States.

[C]

Yeah, the one in oldest in use I think oldest in use.

[A]

The one the one in Iowa is pretty beautiful too is big.

[B]

That's like a gilded in Des Moines. Yeah, those are Steve King gave me.

[A]

A yeah, Steve King was a good Tour guide. I've seen, I've seen probably, I guess I've seen 30 of the 50 state capitals and those are the two that strike me as being particularly nice.

[B]

Annapolis is beautiful and historic because it's where George Washington surrendered his commission of the Continental army and returned to private life.

[A]

Folks, you're not, you're not getting history like this from daytime anchors on Ms. Now I'll tell you that while we're.

[B]

At it, the champion of coal. Guess who the champion of coal is?

[A]

Who is it?

[B]

Donald Trump is the champion of coal. Washington Coal Club has created an anomaly.

[A]

Is that what today's event is?

[B]

And they are awarding it to Donald Trump as the, the first champion of coal.

[C]

That's what it better be. Clean coal. It better be clean coal.

[A]

All I can say is, all I can say is today. Today is two things. It's the day I learned that El paso is the 23rd most populous city in America. And it's the day I begin my campaign to be named the second champion of Cole. I've got 360. I've got 364 days, folks. Begins here. Kamala Harris resumes her book tour in Macon, Georgia today. The Macon City Auditorium. We'll have full coverage of that tomorrow morning on this program. And earlier today, 7am The Prime Minister of Great Britain fielded questions in, in parliament. We're going to show you some of that. It's quite incredible. You guys know the, the huzzah sounds they make right? When uh, the prime minister says like the opposition. Yeah, I want, I want, if you guys won't do it, I want to institute like record some of it. And I just want to play it like a laugh track. So when I say like, well, you know, Howard Lutnick is almost certainly going to have to resign, you guys go, that's my aspiration for the program. I don't live very big, but that is my aspiration. And again, the unemployment numbers, employment numbers I should say, came out at 8:30. We're going to lead with that in a minute. A reminder that if you want handsome garb like I'm wearing here from our folks at Fair friends at Fairway and Green, you can get it. Now go to Fairway two Way TV Fairway. You'll see a full opportunity to buy stuff at a great discount. Either the stuff with our logos on it, the morning meeting two way, all our catchphrases, no smack in the chat, conversations like no other, or you can get the unadorned, the regular merch from, for civilians it's all the most comfortable golf apparel you have ever had an opportunity to even think about purchasing.

[C]

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[A]

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[D]

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[A]

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[D]

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[B]

No problem.

[A]

I'll be with you every step of the way. One in four was a fraud paying American. Not anymore. Save up to 40 your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast terms apply let's start with jobs, ladies and gentlemen. As we said earlier, the jobs numbers were actually much better. Even if you don't think they're blockbuster, much better than everybody thought. First question, Larry. Do you know why everybody thought they were going to be so negative?

[B]

Well, I think January historically is going to be because you get a lot of layoffs after the holiday season. Right. And also I think that they thought that the winter in the mid Atlantic in the east and frankly the south might have impacted inspiring a lot of layoffs. But also there's just been a trend here for AI and automation sort of displacing a lot of employment. And I think people were braced for that sort of continued advancement. So it's a really shocking number, a good shock.

[A]

Kevin, I haven't seen much Democratic reaction yet. What do you think Democrats on the Hill will say? Will they say, will they just cherry pick the weak parts or will they say great for America because there are some weak parts?

[C]

Yeah, I think some will cherry pick the weak parts. You know, I'm always going to be a champion for the economy regardless of who's in charge. The number I saw 33,000 new construction jobs. I think that's a good indication of, you know, people, you know, betting on, you know, what we've talked about in the past in terms of and what this administration is betting on with a heated up market, you know, especially in the housing sector, that's a good thing for the country. We have a housing crisis. So the fact that you're seeing, you know, these kind of companies betting on that, hiring these folks now I think is a good thing for the country.

[A]

Certainly. Let me just aside on a different topic because I realize it's on everybody's mind because my, I'm continuing to get texts about it. El Paso Airport in the middle of the night announced FAA closed for 10 days not only is it the 23rd most populous city in America, but there's not another big airport for like four hours away. So it's a big deal for the people of El Paso or people who do business there. Lots of speculation, Martian invasion, you know, big border, whatever. Area 51. But according to. I never heard of CNN's aviation correspondent Pete Montin. Do you guys know Pete Montin?

[C]

He's a D.C. guy. He was at Channel 9 for a while.

[A]

All right, well, Pete Montaigne, I believe, broke the story that this is because the temporary. Here's a. Here's a tweet from the faa. The temporary closure of airspace has been lifted. Huh. So forget the whole thing. There's no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume as normal. It's like that season of Dallas. It was all a dream. In any event, according to Pete Montine, before the FDA tweeted this seconds ago. Thank you, Noah. Was because there's an air base nearby and they were concerned that they might have a reenactment. Probably not the right word of what happened in D.C. in other words, commercial and military aircraft firing, flying too close together. But the FAA says it's all just a dream. Back to business. My trip to visit the very populous city of El Paso. Back on back to the economy. Here's somebody very concerned about. About the connection between how people are feeling about the economy. Actually, sorry, going in the wrong order. Do we have the Gallup poll? Did I forget to send the Gallup poll to include. Anyway, Gallup has a poll out yesterday about total gloom and doom. People are very pessimistic about the future, in part because a big part because of the economy. Here is a politician. I won't tell you who she is, and I won't tell you if she's more likely to be the chairman of the RNC or the dnc. But here's a famous politician talking about the connection between the economy and. And the midterms. I give you mystery Paul, It's Nikki Haley.

[B]

Polls.

[A]

Now you have on Fox with bread. Bear.

[B]

Financially better 24%. Worse 39%. Same 36%. There is some worry in Republican ranks, Karl Rove, others about where things stand as you look across the country. Where do you see the election ahead of November?

[D]

Well, thank God we didn't get Kamala Harris. I'll say that all day long. But what I will say is there has not been enough focus on the affordability issue for Americans. You still have too many kids living at home. You still have people who can't deal with rent. You see people, they have less money in their wallets and you can't look at the stock market and say the economy is doing well. We are looking at now $39 trillion in debt. Social Security is going to run out in over six years, leaving 75 million Americans having to make a choice. Something needs to be done. This is not fiscal conservatism has not been talked about at all during this administration. And I think now is the time to focus on the value of a dollar which is weakening, on how we get more money in Americans pockets, how we increase jobs which are flattening and start to make American people feel like they can have hope. And that's the one thing I want Republicans to really fight for going into the midterms. Because if Americans don't feel like there's some hope with their wallets and some hope in raising their families, we will lose.

[A]

I spent yesterday talking to a lot of folks in D.C. on the Hill in the administration. And Republicans, Kevin, seem fine kind of standing pat and saying we're going to run on promises made, promises kept and encouraging job numbers like this is just part of the comeback story. Would you be comfortable running against the current record of the Trump administration on the economy in the midterms?

[C]

Absolutely. Again, because perception is everything, how people are feeling. And again the day before on Special Report, I was on for the panel and I said this is the guy that tried to sell biodynomics for four years. The GDP is great. We're leading the world, the G7. We're skyrocketing and people weren't feeling it in their pocketbooks. Again, we talked about this last week, Larry and I, with you, Mark. What people are feeling those months heading into the summer is going to be what's locked in for perception heading into the midterms. And the administration has a very short Runway to try and head off some of those expectations. The job numbers this morning are an important step on that front. But again, perception is everything in politics. Interestingly enough. You know how old Nikki Haley is.

[A]

Mark, as old as the El Paso airport.

[C]

She is 54 years old. So she is running in three years. And I think you're seeing that right now with that clip that you just played, Larry.

[A]

It looks to me from my conversations that although there's still a lot of talk of another reconciliation bill, that there won't be one. There's not going to be any major legislation, additional legislation. Is that how comfortable do you think Republican candidates are going to be if the poll Numbers stay the way they are to say we're not going to do anything, basically, for most of 2026.

[B]

Well, realistically, even if they do do something, it won't have an impact on the economy. It'll again, go back to what Kevin was talking about, the percept. My sources on Capitol Hill and in the White House tell me that they're sort of operating as though the die is cast. You know, what they have done the work that needs to get done to feel an impact. And they believe the impact right around tax day when people realize that they're going to be able to keep a lot more of their money. And again, these jobs numbers, if that trend continues, the perception thing is an issue there. But understand for the midterms, it's not just about what Republicans and what the Trump administration has done. Once we know who the opponents in these races are, their solutions, if there's Ora Mamdani kind of solutions and more Marxist, more government price control kind of solutions, that ain't gonna fly either. And so Republicans are gonna feel better when they know who exactly they're running against so they can attack their approach. Yeah.

[A]

All right, Questions about this. Happy to answer when we get to you all. So stand by. Just on the Guthrie thing. And again, our primary focus is on Savannah and her family and the return, hopefully soon of Savannah's mom. But stories like this, you have to talk about both how law enforcement's handling it and how the media is handling it. I don't understand why they would make an announcement that they, they, they detained someone for questioning when the guy had nothing to do with it. He's been released. Man who lives at a property. This is NBC News. Who? The man who lives at a property that was searched by authorities said Wednesday he was the person detained for questioning and it's since been released. I mean, they obviously did not have strong reason to believe that he, it was him, that he had anything to do with it. There was two hours on cable where everybody was just talking about it. People. I don't read the chat, but I glance at it. People are saying they do it for clicks and, and, and because Cash Patel wants to be in the news. But isn't this just a horrible way to run a railroad? Like catch somebody, question them or detain someone, question them. And if he turns out to be, to be someone you're going to charge, announce it. But why? Why announce something like that? Am I wrong? It just seems stupid.

[C]

I don't think you're wrong at all. And Mark, you saw that they broke into Olympics programming on NBC to talk about the fact that this person of interest was detained. So it's an expectations element here, too. And local authorities are failing on the ground. I saw Cash Patel was on the ground with a, you know, a roundtable yesterday or the day before. But again, this just, you know, there's the public campaign and then obviously the law enforcement element of it, and both seem to be failing right now. Larry?

[B]

Yeah, one. One wonders how different this is from a typical investigation, other than the fact that there's, like, the world's media watching every single move. That guy, when he was released last night, what was it, two in the morning, he's standing in his doorway and he had, you know, 18 microphones shoved in his face. So I don't know how unorthodox it is, but the fact that we're all able to witness every single move, even when they were walking through a neighborhood, going door to door, they were followed by cameras right along the way.

[C]

That's so drones in the air over the House from different networks and stuff like that.

[B]

It's crazy.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

And I will say I've never seen a case like this where everybody I know in elite political and media circles is talking about who they think did it with certainty. And that's not reflected in the public conversation very much. It's. It's somewhat reflected in the conversation, but not very much. All right, let's talk about Pam Bondi. She's not been up on the Hill very much. Last time she was up on the Hill, she was extremely well prepared, and she lashed back every Democrat who asked her a tough question. She had oppo research in her back pocket, pretended like she was thinking of it on the fly. It was a very smooth and effective performance, as these things go. Here's what Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland, represents the congressional district where I used to live, and our dads were friends. I like Jamie, and he's a very smart guy. And here's what Jamie Raskin said, and this is just so like acknowledging the fourth wall is in. Punchbowl News about the hearing. And Jamie's on the Judiciary Committee, so he'll be questioning the attorney General today. Quote, I've watched some of the game tapes from. Of her appearance. Game tapes right from her appearance in the Senate. And she seems to like being a combative witness. Raskin said of Bondi. She engages in evasion and ad hominem attacks, so we're going to have to deal with her. Her. I'm really looking forward to that colloquy between the gentleman from Maryland and the gentle lady from Florida. And always you got to wonder if Republicans will ask her any hard questions. Republicans, as I pointed out on two way tonight last night and on this program yesterday, Republicans, with few exceptions, are remarkably uninterested in the in the over redacted redacting of the Epstein documents, remarkably interested in the in the apparent wrongdoing exposed. They seem to just be circling the wagons. Kevin, what do you expect from the Bondi hearing?

[C]

We'll certainly be watching Thomas Massie, who sits on the Judiciary Committee. Obviously this is going to be the focal point of his questioning. You also have a few, you know, Democrats that want to use this moment, Eric Squalbell being one of them for his own personal gain in his race for governor. And I do think you're going to see to your point, Mark, what we saw coming out of that Senate hearing over the spring where she's going to focus back on attacks on some of those key Democrats. But it's certainly going to be very contentious and we'll see how well prepared she this is obviously a larger field, right. When you compare House and Senate committees and we'll see if any Republicans take debate in terms of ICE stuff or transparency stuff around the Epstein files.

[A]

Larry, what's the headline going to be on the evening newscast about this hearing?

[B]

I think it will involve a combative viral moment. Either Raskin or Swalwell and Pambani will be prepared. By the way, that's not just the look at the game tapes on pretty much all of the Cabinet members when they testify. Scott Besson last week was he had a file on every single person who was going to be combative with him and he had some. So he had been very well prepped to come back with some factoids as well. I don't know if I would characterize Republicans engaging in questions about the redactions as taking the bait, though. I think that there's some genuine interest from some of the members on this panel about what's going on here. They truly believe that there needs to be more transparency. So I wouldn't bet that Republicans are going to act disinterested. Look for a few members engaging in some questions.

[A]

You think you think they'll press her on that specific point of the redactions? Yep. Which ones? Do you know which ones?

[B]

Which members?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Look for maybe Brandon Gill. Okay.

[A]

Brandon Gill's iconoclastic.

[C]

He's a breakout star of these committee hearings.

[B]

Yeah, he is. It's just one year into his freshman term. And he's good.

[A]

He's a smart guy. The Republican talking point out of the jobs report is that private sector payrolls are up and government payroll is down, which is, you know, what everybody should aspire to. But Republicans certainly emphasize it more. Okay. We'll look for the Bondi hearings. Full coverage of the Bondi hearings, of course, on two way tonight. Tonight, ICE talks 48 hours away. No sign of any deal. And also no sign of not just no sign of a deal on ICE policy changes, but no sign of a deal on a another CR to keep them from being a shutdown of homeland security. And both sides are being energized and encouraged to stay the course and not to compromise on some of these issues that Democrats say have to get done. There's a new poll from NBC News that matches private Democratic polling regarding all of these issues. Here's the president standing on immigration. 122B, please. New NBC poll out this morning has the president rate on immigration according to the American people. Adults. This is not voters or registered voters. It's adults. 39% approval, 61% disapproval. That's of course a huge turnaround from where the president was on the issue of immigration. And, and again, whenever there's a face off that might lead to a shutdown, the media often acts like, well, this could never be solved. And then it is solved. I really don't see how this one's going to be solved. They're so far apart on policy and they both feel like this, this is a fight they want to have. Neither side seems reluctant to shut the government down at this point. Larry, am I wrong? Is there going to be a deal of for a cr?

[B]

I thought that there would be mostly around the government travel to Munich, right? Yeah. Maybe they're all figuring out how to fly commercial instead because they can fly there. But then if the shutdown happens at midnight Friday, then they're. They're stranded in Europe, right?

[A]

Yeah. Worse things.

[B]

So. Well, I guess. But yeah. So I figured there would be a CR at the very least you just get down for one or two more.

[A]

I mean, I mean maybe there will be. Kevin, will there at least be. I still don't know if they get a CR how they're ever going to solve this ICE fight. But Kevin, will there be a CR so everyone can go to Munich?

[C]

I doubt it. I mean, and the pain pressure points aren't really there when it comes to the tsa. When it comes to the Coast Guard. There's things that Christine can do to move money around. So the pressure of the public seeing the ramifications like they did in the previous shutdown, the longest, obviously from the fall, aren't there as a motivating factor. And you're seeing kind of Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries played good cop, bad cop. You know, Jeffries is out there saying, you know, this is all non negotiable what we've put forward and Schumer saying, you know, maybe we can meet them halfway. But you know, the timing is just really tough even on the CR front. So I think we are headed towards a shutdown on the dhs. DHS front, certainly.

[A]

All right, we're going to pick up the pace, guys. Filibuster House is passing the SAVE Act. The president would like them to the Senate to get rid of the filibuster. Some Republican senators would like to get rid of the filibuster. It's ironic because of course Democrats wanted to get rid of the filibuster to deal with their version of election reform. Here's the headline from Politico, Filibuster fight comes full circle as GOP faces internal pressure on elections. Bill Larry, Zero meaning no chance to get rid of the filibuster. To pass save 10 means they absolutely ontological certitude. They get rid of it. Where are you on there getting rid of the filibuster?

[B]

As an optimist, I'm going to say between six and seven right now. Leader Thune said that he doesn't have the votes to do that. But I haven't seen anybody step up and say, no, this is a bad idea other than maybe Mitch McConnell.

[A]

Well, Murkowski and Murkowski are, you say six or seven. They do it and would they, would they do it? Would they do it and they'd say it's a one off. We're just going to do it for this one bill.

[B]

I think if they do it, I think they're going to do it to do it and actually try to get a whole lot done here leading into the midterms. It could be their electoral strategy.

[A]

You're at six or seven that they, they say no more legislative filibuster.

[B]

I do because I think that there's a groundswell amongst the conservative commentary.

[A]

Larry. Larry, you know what my son, you know what my son would say about that?

[B]

What's up?

[A]

Six, seven, six, seven. I didn't even mean, I'm sorry, I, I interrupted. I interrupted you. Do you think that the confluences.

[B]

I think it's turned. I think it's turned. The, the reality is, and they're starting to be pressure from the conservative commentariat class, talk radio host, podcast, and they do carry a lot of weight. And TV hosts that said, we know the Democrats will do this if they get into power. And you know, the latest polls that suggest that there may be room for the Democrats to find a way to take control of the Senate that's accelerating this issue. But now they thought, yeah, Larry, they're.

[A]

Not going to get Murkowski, they're not going to get McConnell, they're not going to get Tillis, they're not going to get Collins. So how do you get.

[B]

I don't, well, I don't know if you're not going to get Collins. She's in an election year and this could help her, actually.

[A]

Kevin. Exactly. That's her brand. Kevin, I know you're lower than six. What are you, where are you?

[C]

I'm at 00. I mean, you look at, you look at the Senate caucus and again, speaking as a Democrat, but like, Mike Lee is also the worst person to be kind of carrying this message forward that, you know, people were pouring cold water on his presentation this past week with this Senate Republican Lunch. And again, you know, to Larry's point, and it's a good one, you have the, the talking class out there and the radio hosts and the, the, the, the, the conservative influencers. But that, that hits a stumbling block with the Senate. They're pretty immovable. You've got some personalities there. Maybe it works in the House, but maybe that's some crazy institutionalists that have no interest in doing.

[A]

I agree.

[B]

The White House really hasn't engaged in this thing yet. You know, I, I'm old enough to remember when Pete Hegseth wasn't going to get the votes to be a sec def by all of those same people you just named. And the White House engaged.

[A]

Yes, sir.

[B]

I'm looking forward to my.

[C]

If they do this, I'm buying you a bubble cuddle blanket.

[A]

20% off, maybe 2. Larry, I think the President has, the president has a better chance of getting the NFL kickoff rule changed than he does of abolishing the syllabus.

[B]

Oh, I'm counting on that, too.

[A]

Okay. Ukraine, Russia, Zelensky. Financial Times reported something that the Ukrainians are knocking down that Zelensky is planning to have simultaneous elections for a referendum on a peace deal and new new government elections in the spring. There's the FT headline from their tweet. Zelensky plans spring elections alongside Referendum on peace deal. That'd be a big story. There is a massive offer on the table, and the details of it are not all publicly known. I've been told from Witkoff and Jared Kushner. That involves a big. Various bipartisan bilateral deals between the US And Russia and the US And Ukraine, a Ukrainian Russian deal. A lot of stuff on the table. Guys, one word, because we're trying to speed through here. Bullish or bearish on a deal by the spring between the three countries. Bullish or bearish, Kevin?

[C]

Bearish. There's no deal, Larry. Russia is immovable.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

A little less bearish than Kevin.

[A]

But I'm a little less bearish than both of you. After my talks yesterday, this could happen, ladies and gentlemen. And that Financial Times story, even though it's being knocked down by the Ukrainians, I think has some truth to it. Has some truth to it.

[B]

I think there's truth to it. But what was your key takeaway? The fact that Zelensky would even float the idea of an election.

[A]

That there's a timetable for June to get all the business done that needs to get done. And one piece of business that needs to get done is Zelensky needs to get endorsed for making the deal, both by having open elections where I assume he'll stand for reelection. Don't know that. But where there's. There has to be a scheduled referendum under the Ukrainian Right. I think it's constitution. Maybe it's just law. So the fact that there's a specific. Yeah, but the fact that there's a specific. Well, not about. Not. They don't keep. I'm talking. They not waving that. Waiving his being able to stay in office. I'm saying, I believe it's. It's mandated that. That any deal they make with Russia has to be passed by referendum. Okay. Iran.

[C]

Well, we'll also see what's telegraphed out of Munich, though, on this front, too.

[A]

Yes, 100%.

[B]

Totally agree.

[A]

Huge topic there. Iran. And it's funny that the Europeans are totally out of these negotiations. Funny. Funny in a Homer Simpson way. Iran. Bibi, presumably, is there to tell the president how prepared he is to respond if there's a counter strike by Iran. He's there to press the president to say, don't just focus on the nuclear program, focus on missiles and terrorism. And presumably he's there to. To talk Gaza as well, or at least the president wants him to. What will the result be? Well, first question is, it's currently closed press. Will we get a photo op? Larry?

[B]

Yes, or no, I think so, yes.

[A]

Kevin.

[C]

Photo op for sure.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

There hasn't been.

[C]

There hasn't been of trying to welcome him up to the, you know, the West Wing entrance and all that?

[A]

Well, no, but what about questions?

[C]

No questions.

[A]

No questions. There has not been a Q A world leader photo op in this, in this calendar year, whereas last year it was Derigger. Okay.

[C]

Well, his 6, 6 visit to the White House.

[B]

But I think part of this is to send a message. So part of how they're going to send a message is through that photo op.

[A]

What will, what, what will the headline of this meeting be, Larry? What will come out of this meeting? For public consumption?

[B]

For public consumption? I think that the White House is trying to project that they're closer to a military strike against Iran. They want Iran to watch this meeting and think that Trump's ready to go.

[A]

Kevin?

[B]

That's my hunch.

[A]

I agree.

[C]

No daylight between these two and a bear hug. Yep.

[A]

Okay. Couple more topics and then to your questions, please raise your hand. If you've never been on the show before, today would be a good day to join Epstein. The President a few weeks ago seems like ancient history. Said Epstein scandal is a Democratic scandal. And my Justice Department in the Southern District of New York is going to investigate Bill Clinton and Larry Summers and other Democrats right now. The Epstein scandal, the Clinton's testimony, forthcoming testimony in the House notwithstanding, seems to be a Republican scandal. I give you Lutnick, I give you Trump himself, who's now facing questions about the exact chronology and reasons for his breakup with Jeffrey Epstein. And then Steve Bannon. Steve Bannon is all over the Epstein files. And my X feed is filled with MAGA people saying it's time for there to be accountability with Steve Bannon over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. His ties to Jeffrey Epstein are extraordinarily close. They're much closer than many people who have lost their jobs or in danger of losing their jobs. I mean, the degree to which they were intertwined is quite something. Now, Steve Bannon can't be fired because he works for himself, but, Larry, you know this world well. Are there going to be implications for Steve over what are now apparently extremely close ties to Jeffrey Bannon? And he still hasn't released all the hours of video that he did of interviews with. With Epstein?

[B]

Yeah, there should be. There should be. And any, anyone who knows me knows that there's no, no love lost between me and Mr. Bannon. But at the same time, I try to be a fair observer on this, and I am as much as I don't like Steve personally, I was shocked to see the extent of the communications, the warmup. He was talking with him and planning to go to the island to shoot this documentary, literally the day Epstein was brought into custody, this last time before he ended up dead in a jail cell. It should be the end of Bannon's influence, but I don't know.

[A]

Yeah. Kevin, you don't like Steve either?

[C]

No, I don't like that he wears a dress shirt and a polo shirt. Yeah, I mean, that just.

[A]

That's what does it for you. I'll just. I'll just. I'll just fess up. I like Steve a lot.

[C]

I make him a lot.

[B]

Somebody here has to.

[A]

But. But I just don't understand why he's not under more pressure to put out the videos. I just don't understand. I just seems like, whatever, anyway.

[C]

But, Mark, where did that pressure come from? It's not going to come from.

[A]

People go on his shows now. What's her name? What's that White House correspondent's name? Natalie Winters. Natalie Winters was on 280 night last night, and she works with Steve. And she said, and I don't believe this has been said previously, that they're. They're. They're fixing to release more of it, that they're working on releasing more of it. I don't know how much work it takes just to pop it on YouTube, but she said more is coming and that'll be instructive. To learn more, there's like two hours of it that's on YouTube. Here's someone who is under a lot of pressure for indirect. Six degrees of Kevin Bacon separation from Jeffrey Epstein. That's the Prime Minister of the uk. There have a couple members of his party who've come out and say he should resign. But his Cabinet, for the most part, is standing foursquare with the pm. And this morning at Question Time, he was feisty and combative, but faced very tough questionings. Tough questions from the other side of the aisle. Here is the PM under tough questioning number 120.

[F]

Please ever look in the mirror and.

[A]

Ask himself, is the real problem staring him in the face?

[C]

Yes. Yes. Order.

[A]

Order.

[G]

General election. I am a white of them. And she talks about numbers. Let us remember, Mr. Speaker, five prime ministers, seven chancellors, eight home secretaries, eight foreign secretaries, 16 housing secretaries, all completely useless. All fail Britain. And this Prime Minister's clearing up the mess. She comes here every week desperately fighting to save her dying party. I'm fighting to change. Change Our country. Interest rates down, inflation down, waiting lists down, child poverty down. And I'll tell you another thing's down, the number of Tory MPs.

[A]

Anyway. There's a lot of that.

[C]

That's a great line.

[A]

Yeah, go look at that online. All right, two last topics into your questions. Please raise your hand. Grand jury apparently reportedly refused to indict Mark Kelly and the other five Democratic members of Congress accused of sedition for making a video. We don't really know what the charges they were trying to get passed were. Kevin, is that dead or will they try to indict them again?

[C]

I mean, there's reports that they're going to try and indict them again. My old buddy, Judge Jenny. And we'll see what happens. But it's actually pretty easy to get a grand jury indictment in this country because you don't need to, you know, you only need a majority.

[A]

The Trump Justice Department's breaking the record, though.

[C]

Yeah, exactly Right. So, you know, obviously my side is celebrating and as we should.

[A]

Well, so Kevin says maybe. Kevin says maybe. Larry, will there be. Will they try again?

[B]

That's part of the problem, is that your side celebrating because these grand juries, sadly, in the D.C. area are partisan events. It's one of the scandals of the Justice Department's efforts in the Washington area to try to hold elected officials accountable. Republicans, yeah, super easy to get them indicted, even convicted because of the jury pool. Democrats, it's a long shot. So will they try again? Maybe in a different venue. But I'm more interested in what they're doing with Mark Kelly at the Pentagon right now through the military than I am in a criminal court.

[C]

Yeah, come on back down to dc. Yeah, Larry, come on down. Forget, Forget your blue oasis.

[A]

All right.

[C]

Lastly, last grand jury, too.

[A]

Lastly, Governor Newsom, fresh off his trip to Davos, is now going to Munich. And again, this is an annual security conference. Very big deal. I'm sure governors have gone in the past, but not to my knowledge. Here's 117. Matthew Bartlett correctly points out Munich Security Conference will feature Secretary Rubio, aoc, who's also going, by the way. And now, Gavin Newsom, Munich, Germany, this year, Manchester, New Hampshire, next year. AOC this is her big coming out of an event like this. It's going to be very interesting to see. I don't know if. I'm pretty sure she's giving a speech. I don't know if Governor Newsom is giving a speech. But, Kevin, do you think AOC and her team will be aware of Newsom being there and try to, you know, better him or she doesn't care about that kind of game.

[C]

Oh, 100%. I mean, this is one of the biggest, if not the only thing that she's done on the international front. Obviously her focus has been domestic politics here and, you know, fighting for the progressive wing of the party, but this is a big coming out party for her on the international level. I'm not the biggest fan of hers, obviously, but also Gretchen Whitmer, Governor Whitmer is also going to be there too. So to your point, Mark, I have not seen this where you've seen so many kind of members of Congress, governors out there. It's always, you know, obviously Secretaries of State and Defense always go. Yeah. And some key senators like John McCain obviously always went.

[A]

Larry, with, with all folks, sorry.

[C]

Now folks directly involved in national security to that extent.

[A]

Larry, with all that's going on and the fact that it's over a weekend, will AOC and Newsom get a lot of media coverage, you think, for this?

[B]

Yeah, and I think they're probably going to meet. You know, she could be a great running mate for him. She could shore up his lack of foreign policy and national security. Funny, funny credentials. I'm not. I mean, she's got more than he does, so we'll see.

[C]

You're not getting that bubble cuddle blanket there.

[B]

I expect Gavin Newsom to be focused on JD Vance quite a bit. Don't forget it was JD Vance who made all the headlines at this conference last year where he was not received very warmly by the Europeans, but he actually gave a great speech.

[A]

I thought, it's Gavin.

[B]

Yeah, he's gonna, he's gonna try to remind everybody of how bad JD Vance is. And this is the preview for 2028 Vance of Speech.

[C]

We'll also see, we'll also see the tone that Marco Rubio sets to you. He's obviously leading the delegation.

[A]

Vance of Speech is one of the most important speeches any vice president's ever given and one of the most important speeches anyone in this administration has given. I'd be curious to see if Newsom speaks or just goes to panels. We'll see. All right, one more word from a sponsor and then. And then to your question, CB Distillery will give you 25% off everything on the site. If you're having trouble sleeping, pain after exercise, a little bit off in your mood or maybe two or all, all three of them. Here's an opportunity to use a product that's used by over 2 million people, products that are all natural and help with sleep and stress and breaking the vicious slight cycle that those can cause. Right now, if you go on cbdistillery.com use the promo code 2wmm2wmm. You get 25% everything on the site, better sleep, less stress, improved focus. It's all right there in products from CB Distillery. No artificial dyes, no fillers, just third premium quality third party tested products, as I said, used by over 2 million people. If you're having trouble sleeping and want to try something to relax yourself, go to cbdistillery.com 25% off cb distillery.com promo code 2WMM for 25% off. All right. Now time for your questions again. Raise your hand if you want to get in on the conversation. We'll start with Jen. Jen welcome in. Tell folks where you are, what's on your mind for Kevin and for Larry after you unmute.

[F]

Good morning. I've been thinking about the Epstein thing and everybody who gets up, you know, on camera and talks about it just talks about justice. I just don't see how there's any justice that can come out of this because it seems like all along the victims have been reluctant to really come forward and you can't, you can't take anybody to court without facing their accuser. I mean, that's part of our justice system. And the court of public opinion isn't justice either because then the accuser can't really defend himself. So I don't know, this just feels like the national delight in bringing down the mighty more than anything else.

[A]

Larry, thoughts?

[B]

Yeah, I mean, listen, this entire exercise in releasing all of the documents is not an exercise in justice. This isn't how we operate with regard to justice in this country. And you nailed it, John. That's why this is more about there is a belief that there has been a lack of transparency and there's been a cover up at the highest, most powerful wealthy governmental levels in this country. And so by releasing all the information, justice might not come of it, but at least people will be exposed. But of course, the way the media is working, only certain people, you know, Mark just set this up. And understandably that this appears to be a Republican scandal. Where's Reid Hoffman's name being put out? He's a Democrat kingmaker, one of the largest funders of Democrat politicians in this country and his name is all over that in a very, very ugly, tawdry way. So sadly, the names are all being exposed and all of the focus is going in one direction as it Usually goes in the media.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

It's not a justice exercise.

[A]

So. So I want Kevin to weigh in. But let me just say two things. First of all, all I was saying about the current focus is that is where the current focus is. The Democrats have gotten some folks.

[B]

You aren't wrong.

[A]

Okay. And then let me just read you something on this El Paso issue. Don't know if you know that El paso is the 23rd largest city by population in America. Airport was closed. They said it was going to be closed for 10 days. Then they said it was open. Here's what the Associated Press is reporting about the reason. A Trump administration official told the Associated Press the airspace over El Paso was closed after Mexican cartel drones breached the airspace. But the Defense Department took action to disable the drones. Both the FAA and the Pentagon have determined there is no threat to commercial aviation. So we used to have our villains were Russian, you know, Soviet, whatever. Then our villains were Arab, you know, Middle Eastern terrorists. Now our villains are going to end up being Mexican cartel drones. Going to see a, a wave of Hollywood films about the evil Mexican cartel drones.

[C]

Guys like us, the remake.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

If that's the case, then why did they project it for 10 days?

[A]

I know, it makes no sense. 10 days, we call that in the government. We call that an abundance of caution. Kevin, your response to what Larry and Jen said, please.

[C]

No, Jen, I think you're absolutely right in what you share in terms of this playing out in the court of public opinion without a lot of actual ramifications. There's only one person currently serving right now, and that's Ghislaine Maxwell in prison for these crimes. Leader Schumer was with some of the victims yesterday or the day before on Capitol Hill. Because part of this is also an issue of statute of limitations in terms of some of these crimes running out the clock. So we'll see if there's actually some, some justice for some of these victims beyond just Jelaine Maxwell.

[A]

Can we dip into the Kevin Hassett victory lap on the jobs numbers on Ms. Now, briefly? Jen, thank you. I just want to hear what Kevin's saying here about the jobs.

[E]

That a reduction in the labor force was going to make a bad number. And in fact, CNBC had a headline saying that the jobs number is going to be zero. Bloomberg had a headline saying the jobs number is going to be zero. At private sector jobs, which is our main focus right now because we've been reducing government. Government employment. They went up 170,000. They absolutely blew, blew out any expectation whatsoever. So it's really a remarkable, remarkable strong number. And if you put it in perspective, to get that much job creation while, you know, basically the labor force is declining some because people are leaving the country and being deported is a really remarkable thing. The bottom line is I'd say there's three facts that I think that I really hope that the viewers would think about. Thing one is that we've been hearing the story that artificial intelligence intelligence is going to take away people's jobs. Right. Well, in this report, labor force participation is the highest it's been in the United States since 2001. And so we actually have more people going into the labor okay than we've.

[A]

Seen in here's decades. Here's Kevin Boss AI effect is okay. Here's Kevin's boss on truth Social just in great job numbers. Far greater than expected. The United States of America should be paying much less on its borrowings bonds. We are again, the strongest country in the world and therefore should be paying the lowest interest rate by far. This would be an interest cost savings of at least $1 trillion per year. Balanced budget plus. Wow. The golden age of America is upon us. President DJT I didn't pause to tell you about all the wacky all caps and initial caps in that message. Here we, here we go. Brennan, welcome in. Yeah, go ahead.

[B]

Something else just came out from the White House. They just tweeted out a graph that showed that federal employ declined to its lowest level since 1966 in terms of federal jobs and the percentage of jobs in America. The U.S. workforce to federal employment is now at 1.6%. That's the lowest recorded in history.

[C]

Contract.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

Just thought I'd throw that out.

[A]

Thank you for throwing that out there, Kevin. Hold on, Brennan, hold on. I'm, I'm, I'm trying to be snappy here. It's not working, Brennan. I'll come back to. All right, here we are. Top 10 songs of 1966. Number one, Ballad of the Green Berets. Number two, Cherished by the Association. I'll stop there because that is a great, that is a great song. California Dreaming. Number nine. Number ten, Nancy Sinatra. These boots were made for walking. My point, ladies and gentlemen, is 1966 was a good year for employment and a good year for music. Brennan, welcome in. Thank you for being here. Tell everybody. Don't know where you are. What's on your mind for Kevin and Larry and the American people at large.

[H]

I'm calling in from a bigger city than El Paso, Providence, Rhode Island.

[A]

I believe let's. I'm gonna. I'm gonna do the research on that, but go ahead.

[B]

I've guessed that.

[C]

All right, Brandon. Okay, we'll see.

[H]

I have one about Epstein and one about Venezuela.

[A]

Epstein, yeah.

[F]

Yeah.

[H]

I think the important thing is the money laundering that has a. Like you can track the record and get actual evidence down where this is more here. He said, she said. So I think the money laundering is a big component that's not being talked about enough.

[A]

Yeah.

[H]

And for Venezuela, I want to say.

[B]

Bannon is connected to the money laundry. I don't know if you saw this wackadoodle story, that World of Warfare video game where you can make in game purchases to gold and various things that you can use. Bannon created that or was a big part of the structure of that. Epstein used that. And apparently the clients would go on to World of Warfare, purchase gold within the game, and that's how they would launder some of them.

[A]

I read that, too. Brennan, I don't want to suggest I'm trying to undermine your credibility, but we already announced that El paso is the 23rd largest city. Do you know where Providence, your cute little tiny city and your adorable little jewel box state, you know where that ranks? El Paso's 23rd. Where do you think Providence ranks?

[H]

I would have guessed 22nd, but I.

[B]

Have a feeling you would.

[A]

1/3. 133, I think. I think. I think Rockville, Maryland might be bigger. I think so, yeah. All right. Brennan, what's your second. Oh, no. Kevin, respond if you would on the Epstein thing.

[C]

Yeah, I mean. And Mark, you had Congressman Khanna on this topic yesterday. Obviously it was a great conversation that you had. And he mentioned specifically, I think there's some of the treasury information that still has yet to come out that was part of the original bill that they passed. In terms of. To Brandon's question on the money, money laundering front that we still don't have access to in terms of some of the bank records. Of course, that's what's also bringing down, you know, Peter Mandelson in the, in the UK on the financial front that we're seeing that also play out.

[H]

And it's also the thing he was. It's also the thing he was good at. That's why he went to Bear Stearns and that's what he was good at for Venezuela. I'm wondering why there isn't much more talk about the general amnesty that was offered up. Seems like a really good first step in directions of stabilizing the government there. Much Like South Africa and the Truth and Reconciliation Committees.

[A]

I. I think it's still under consideration now.

[H]

I thought they announced that they're doing it.

[A]

Oh, that they're doing it. Oh, I didn't realize that. I don't know. I've. I've. I'm like. I'm like most people in America. I've lost track of Venezuela either. You guys know anything? The general amnesty announcement in Venezuela and why that's not getting more coverage?

[C]

I do not see much of that, aside from some talk of elections happening at some point in the next two years, I think is what the administration telegraph.

[H]

I heard it from Peter Zion, if. So that's where I'm getting that from. If anyone wants to look that up.

[F]

Yeah.

[A]

All right.

[C]

We'll see what Secretary of State Rubio says about Venezuela.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

In Munich.

[B]

And it's World of Warcraft, not World of Warfare. I apologize for the error.

[A]

I thought. I thought about correcting you, but I've corrected you enough today.

[B]

I'm more of a Sky Dragon age kind of guy.

[A]

I know you are. I know you are. Haley, welcome in. Tell folks who don't know where you are what's on your mind.

[C]

Haley.

[A]

There's our.

[C]

There's our gal.

[I]

Hey, guys. I honestly just came in to say hello and I'm from the. What, like, number three largest city in America, New York City. What number are we? I have no idea.

[B]

That's number one. You would. You would be the most populous city in the.

[A]

Oh, there you go.

[I]

So from number 23 to number one.

[C]

You got Providence beat Haley. That's for sure. Yeah.

[I]

So I have a quick question on Rahm Emanuel. I wanted to kind of just ask if his stock has gone up with you Mark, at all. I'm, like, really excited. It just like the kind of things that I've been seeing. He's the only one, I think, that's calling out like his own party in, you know, writing and like in tweets and things and, you know, saying things that are just like, really like just very good for somebody in the middle. So I wanted to know if there's any stock that went up there with Rahm Emanuel.

[A]

I still think he'll. I still think his math he'll be.

[B]

If he.

[A]

If he does run, I think he'll be a very vibrant force on the debate stage. Is for reasons you suggested, but I just don't see how he builds a coalition to win the nomination. Kevin.

[C]

Yeah, I agree. It's going to be tough. It'll be also a question about how much money he can raise as well. Obviously, he, he's known where the money is for, you know, going back to the 90s, running the war room for the Clintons and the DCCC. But, Haley, you're right. I mean, he is, you know, he released a whole plan on education. He is one of the kind of more thought leaders in this space that's actually interested in, in policy, and we'll see if that actually resonates with my party, in our party.

[A]

Yeah, Larry.

[B]

Yeah, I agree. I mean, it's, I'm against my own best interest because I think he would be formidable in a general election with the positions that he has staked out. But I just don't see how he gets through the primary process, not with the current makeup of the Democrats.

[A]

Yeah. And again, Haley, there's a lot of reasons. One is his record as mayor and how he alienated a lot of people on the left. Another is his positions on Israel, even though he likes to say Bibi doesn't like him. And, and then people haven't even begun to dig into all the moderate positions he charged he supported in the Clinton and Obama administrations at a time when those were in vogue and they aren't currently in the nominee electorate. Remember, if the DNC had not rigged it, Bernie Sanders would have been the nominee in 16 and 20. And in 24, we had an incumbent. So the sample space of the last three elections suggests it's going to be hard for someone who's not in Sanders wing to be the nominee unless the DNC rigs it.

[B]

Again, Larry, Unless. I was just going to say, let's not forget what happened in 2020. It was the Obama team that came in and convinced everybody that Biden's the only one that had a chance. Obama could do that for Rom. I mean, I don't know if they'll fall for it again, but that's, that's how Rom could make his way through is if the elder statesmen decide Rahm's the only guy that can beat JDP fans.

[A]

Yeah. Haley, thank you.

[C]

The Obama people didn't want Biden.

[A]

Well, they didn't. They did in 20. In 20.

[B]

They did it after being 20. They did on the eve, on the.

[A]

On the eve of Super Tuesday. Their choices were get, get Klobuchar and, and Buddha Jej out of the race or Bernie was going to be. Or booty or, or Bernie was going to be the nominee. Ladies and gentlemen, I can't tell you all the cities that are bigger than Providence, but here's one Overland Park, Kansas. Bigger than higher population than Providence. Wow, man, that's a little jewel box. All right, let me tell you about some programs if I could Citizen McCain not on today two way. Tonight, 5pm Eastern time we're going to have full coverage of the President's historic acceptance of the Cole Hero of the Year. What's it called? Cole Hero. Whatever it is.

[B]

Oh God.

[A]

And, and you're competing for it, Mark.

[C]

You got, you got a year to get the award.

[B]

Champion of Cole.

[A]

Champion of Cole. I'm going to, I'm going to spend the first, the first few months of my campaign remembering the name of the thing. Anyway, full coverage of that. Full coverage, full coverage of all the Epstein developments and my, and we're going to cover the UK stuff because my guest tonight is the Washington editor for the Times of London. You've seen her on two way tonight before. Katie Balls will join me and we'll talk all about the news of the day tomorrow on this program. Ladies and gentlemen, two fantastic, handsome, brilliant guest co hosts, two fellas go by the name of Kevin Walling and Larry o' Connor will be back. Gentlemen, looking forward to having you back another day. And I'll be on with Michael Smarkanish on SiriusXM In a matter of moments. So if you've, if you can afford satellite radio, if you're smart enough to have husbanded your resources to get both a bubble cuddle blanket, also a Fairway and green 3/4 zip vest and a SiriusXM subscription, well, you can luxuriate in my dulce tones with Mr. Smish in a matter of moments, gentlemen, in the fondue, in the Bulu base, in the jambalaya of news we have laid out before us today what will be the lead story on, you know, Tony de Copel show tonight. I know the answer got three right. Almost no matter, almost no matter what. Even if there are no developments, they'll.

[C]

Say, well, unless there's a viral moment with Pam Bondi that is made for tv.

[A]

Yeah, I tell you that, I'll tell you the third. I'll tell you the third candidate. The third candidate is the Mexican cartel drones. I'm not kidding. If they can get pictures of, if there's, if there's Pentagon video of the clash between Snoopy or whoever was on the Pentagon flying for the Pentagon and the Mexican cartel Jones. Well, look for that with Camel. Exactly. Thank you Larry. Thank you Kevin. Thanks to those of you who raised your hands and participated. Thank you for the wide world two way community. I'll see you at 5 o' clock tonight Eastern Time. And the three of us will be back at 9am tomorrow. Have a great day, everybody.

[C]

We'll see you tomorrow.