Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar

Episode: 2/17/26: Epstein Files Coverup, ICE Caught Lying, Trump Election Takeover
Date: February 17, 2026
Hosts: Krystal Ball & Emily Jashinsky (filling in for Saagar Enjeti)

Brief Overview

This episode dives into major ongoing national controversies: the newest revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files and their implications for political and corporate elites; disturbing government opacity and dishonesty in the wake of high-profile ICE shootings; and aggressive new maneuvers by Donald Trump and his allies aiming to restrict voting in the 2026 and 2028 elections. Krystal and Emily bring sharp, unfiltered analysis from both progressive and conservative perspectives. Notable guests also address Israel’s West Bank “mega land grab” and threats to civil liberties from government pressure on tech companies.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. In Memory: Reverend Jesse Jackson

[07:10–09:38]

• The hosts reflect on the passing of civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, discussing his South Carolina roots, political legacy, and 1988 DNC “patchwork quilt” speech.
• Notable Quote:
  Krystal (08:29):
  “Pull the patches and the pieces together, bound by a common thread. When we form a great quilt of unity and common ground, we'll have the power to bring about health care and housing and jobs and education and hope to our nation.”
• The enduring impact of Jackson on the American left and young Black activists is highlighted.

2. Explosive New Epstein Revelations: The Files, Exoneration Claims, and Elite Connections

[09:43–22:00]

Trump’s Reaction & The File Release

• Trump claims he’s “totally exonerated” by Epstein files, though the hosts point out only a small fraction of government evidence has been made public (“as little as 2%”).
  • Krystal (11:50):
    “Are we just supposed to take your word for it that that is actually all that there is? And this raises significant questions about that.”

Serious Questions about Transparency

• Discussion of possible coverup, redactions, and future legal exposure for officials withholding files, referencing Rep. Thomas Massie’s statements about legal requirements and consequences for non-compliance.

Steve Bannon’s Deep Ties to Epstein

• Revelations of a close, “bro-y” relationship between Bannon and Epstein, with exchanges about the 25th amendment (i.e., possibly removing Trump), and Bannon allegedly assisting Epstein on PR and rehabilitation.
  • Emily (16:27):
    “Epstein’s relationship with Bannon was actually very close… when he's talking to Bannon, it's very bro-y… a very, very warm, friendly relationship.”
  • Krystal (17:58):
    “Bannon wants to be a power player… [Epstein] can help facilitate those power plays.”

Power, Capital, Access and Corruption

• The hosts analyze the broader dynamics, including interconnections with other elites (e.g., Tom Barrack, Ehud Barak, Peter Thiel), and the ease with which global crises are seen as opportunities by those in power.

3. Tom Barrack and Global Oligarch Networking

[24:18–33:14]

• Significant Reporting: Tom Barrack, a Trump insider and now Ambassador to Turkey, maintained extended, friendly and political communications with Epstein, well after Epstein’s conviction and public disgrace.
  • Krystal (24:57):
    “Tom Barack… and Epstein were really close in the 80s and 90s… the Barack-Epstein friendship appears to continue undeterred by Epstein's alleged fall from grace.”
  • Discussion of Barrack’s business dealings with Epstein and others, controversial investments, connections with global elites, and implications for Trump-world corruption.
• Naked Disaster Capitalism:
  • Krystal (33:14):
    “Just how explicitly they see chaos, death, disaster, terror attacks as business opportunities… it’s just very naked.”

4. Academia, Philanthropy, and Epstein’s Eugenics Obsession

[33:14–42:25]

• Epstein’s deep involvement in academia and the scientific world, cultivating professors for influence and laundering reputation.

  • Emily (36:10):
    “On some level… if you're a billionaire who's hoping to influence policy… having, like, seduced all of these academics and getting them in their orbit…”

• Questions about academia’s complicity, with mention of Chomsky, Peter Attia, and the disturbing Zorro Ranch eugenics projects in New Mexico.

  • Krystal (38:35):
    “Zorro Ranch seems to have been at the center of this eugenics scheme.”

• Philanthropy as undemocratic oligarch control over research priorities, referencing work of Anand Giridharadas.

5. Modeling World, Sex Trafficking Pipeline, and High-Profile Enablers

[42:25–48:12]

• Discussion of Epstein’s ties to the global modeling industry as a pipeline for trafficking and exploitation, including links to Victoria’s Secret (Les Wexner) and known abusers.

  • Naomi Campbell is named as one of many elite figures implicated by association.
  • Krystal (44:23):
    “The modeling world is infamous for being a pipeline for human trafficking and for sex trafficking… It’s disturbing… that he put his own daughter Ivanka into this world… when she was a young girl.”

• Disturbing Quote from Epstein to Model:

  • Epstein, via email (46:18):
    “You are 22, only ask questions of men. They are not really interested in your opinions when you are 30 and then only marginally.”
    (Krystal and Emily respond with dark humor about “the marginal interest show.”)

• Chilling details about rape/drug plants Epstein kept (scopolamine, "zombie drug") and their possible use.

6. ICE Shootings, Federal Opacity, and Public Trust

[49:40–58:15]

FBI & DHS Refusing Local Oversight

• Federal authorities refuse to share evidence regarding the shootings of nonviolent immigrants, sparking outrage and demands for transparency.
  • Krystal (51:10):
    “It’s an outrageous abuse of power that they're just saying, nope, there's going to be no accountability here.”

ICE Caught Lying

• Several high-profile cases reveal ICE/CBP agent dishonesty—bodycam footage forced the government to admit their official stories were lies; charges subsequently dropped.
  • Emily (53:58):
    “So when you lie about it, you make your entire argument less credible along the way…”

Impact on Politics

• Erosion of public trust in law enforcement, implications for mass deportation plans and electoral consequences.
  • Public demand for body cameras, accountability, and safeguarding civil rights is reaching “overwhelming” levels.

7. Government Shutdown Over DHS/ICE Funding

[62:21–65:21]

• DHS Funding Fight: Democrats refuse to approve DHS/ICE budgets without new oversight/accountability measures.

  • ICE/CBP well-funded due to past appropriations (“the big beautiful bill”), operating as usual.
  • Krystal (65:21):
    “I think a lot of Democrats will find [withholding funding] compelling… no, you shouldn’t be providing any funding to them at all. And yes, they have plenty of money to operate, but if this goes on for years, then… every year there's less and less for them…”

• Intense polling support, particularly among Democrats and independents, for body cameras, ending racial profiling, requiring ID of agents, etc.

8. Trump & GOP Election Takeover Efforts

[70:50–84:48]

Kristi Noem & "The Right People Voting"

• Notable Quote (71:42):
  “We've been proactive to make sure that we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country...”
• The hosts dissect overtly anti-democratic rhetoric, especially Noem’s statements about “the right people” and GOP lawsuits to seize ballots, restrict mail-in voting, and force “Real ID” for voters.

Trump’s Messaging & Legal Threats

• Trump promises to “present an irrefutable argument” for unilateral federal action to impose voter ID, ban mail-ins.
  • Krystal (73:48):
    “He's constantly pressing: Where is the limit? Where is the limit? Where is the limit?… and this term, he only has people around him who were in support of those most maximal aims.”

The S.A.V.E. Act and Voter Purges

• The proposed legislation would require Real ID or passport—posing hurdles for millions of legit voters, especially as passport offices are shut down.

• Krystal (75:58):
  “It's an intentional effort to limit and restrict the number of people who can vote. The assault on mail-in balloting, same thing.”

• GOP use of faulty federal tools to flag “non-citizen” voters is leading to purges of eligible citizens, especially those with common names, echoing disastrous Georgia models.

The Broader Threat to Democracy

• The episode details efforts to sow distrust (“stop the steal” 2.0), intimidate voters (e.g., Bannon’s proposal for ICE at polling places), and the growing authoritarian impulse on the American right.
• Reference to Trump’s regret about not sending in the National Guard to seize ballot boxes in 2020 and increasing use of fringe actors and conspiracy theories.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump (Claiming Exoneration, 10:08):
  “I have nothing to hide. I've been exonerated. I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein.”

• Krystal (On Disaster Capitalism, 33:14):
  “Just how explicitly they see chaos, death, disaster, terror attacks as business opportunities… it’s just very naked.”

• Emily (On ICE Lying, 53:58):
  “So when you lie about it, you make your entire argument less credible along the way…”

• Krystal (On Voting Rights Attacks, 75:58):
  “It's an intentional, intentional effort to limit and restrict the number of people who can vote… to solve a problem that doesn't really exist.”

• Emily (On Trump’s Election Rhetoric, 73:59):
  “I hate the way Trump talks about elections… it's playing with fire.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jesse Jackson Tribute: 07:10–09:38
• Epstein File Revelations & Trump Response: 09:43–16:12
• Steve Bannon/Epstein Relationship: 16:12–22:00
• Tom Barrack/Elites Networking/Disaster Capitalism: 24:18–33:14
• Epstein's Academic Ties & Eugenics: 33:14–42:25
• Modeling, Sex Trafficking Pipeline: 42:25–48:12
• ICE Shootings, Lying & Loss of Public Trust: 49:40–62:21
• DHS/ICE Defunding Showdown: 62:21–68:10
• Voting Rights/Election Takeover Segment: 70:50–84:48

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive, unwavering look at the US’s overlapping crises of elite impunity, government accountability, and democracy itself. Whether addressing the slow drip of Epstein scandal, the erosion of truth and oversight in DHS’s mass deportation push, or the GOP's open attempts to limit ballot access, Krystal and Emily deliver critical context, sharp debate, and warnings about the delicate state of American democracy heading into the next election cycle.