Camp Gagnon Podcast — Detailed Episode Summary

Episode Title: Epstein’s DARKEST Secret Wasn’t The Island | Nick Bryant

Host: Mark Gagnon
Guest: Nick Bryant (Investigative Journalist, Author of The Franklin Scandal)
Date: February 13, 2026

Overview

This episode focuses on the explosive revelations from the latest Jeffrey Epstein email/files release—over 3 million documents—shedding new, disturbing light on Epstein’s network, operations, coded language, and alleged co-conspirators. Mark Gagnon is joined by veteran journalist Nick Bryant, known for his early and relentless reporting on sex trafficking rings and as the journalist who first published Epstein’s black book and flight logs. The conversation analyzes the contents of these files, their implications, systemic blockers to justice, and the broader societal issues around elite-driven trafficking.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nick Bryant’s Background and Role

• Nick Bryant has reported on sex trafficking for over 23 years, beginning with the Franklin Scandal in Nebraska (an international network).
• He started covering Epstein in the early 2000s and published Epstein’s “black book,” connecting dots long before mainstream attention (01:38–02:46).
• Quote — “The mainstream media looked the other way for years, [but] I stayed on the case.” — Nick Bryant (00:20)

2. Being Targeted By Epstein’s Network

• Nick’s name appears in several of Epstein’s emails, warning the inner circle about his reporting.
• Details on how Sarah Kellen (Maxwell's right hand) and others circulated his picture and warned about his investigations. Surveillance by the network was tight. (03:40–07:14)
• Quote — “They passed around my picture... I hope they got my good side.” — Nick Bryant (06:04)

3. Categories & Themes in the Leaked Emails

• Bryant has cataloged emails on his site, grouping them as follows:
  • “Horrors”
  • “Pizza, Shrimp, Muffins” (coded language)
  • “Celebrity”
  • “Transhumanism and Cloning”
  • “FDA, BCI, Mossad”
• The files reveal code words, black market babies, celebrity/political connections, and transhumanist interests. (08:52–09:06, 30:31)

4. Black Market Babies, Cloning, and Eugenics

• Repeated references to “breeders,” harvesting ova, “baby editing,” and cloning. Examples include accounts of women allegedly used to produce children for black market purposes at Zorro Ranch (09:13–14:03).
• Parallel to disturbing real-world studies (“Extreme Abuse Survey”) and accounts of organized breeding in trafficking (16:23—17:35).
• Quote — “It wasn’t a foreign idea to me that there are women used as breeders.” — Nick Bryant (09:54)

5. Age of Victims and Media Cover-up

• Victims as young as 7–11 identified—contrary to the public narrative (most say “youngest was 13/14”). Multiple independent sources and therapists corroborate under-10 victimization (24:58–25:26).
• Media and law enforcement rendered complicit by repeatedly downplaying severity, using “agency” arguments to muddy waters (25:26–26:14).
• Quote — “The media has been just so disingenuous regarding Jeffrey Epstein.” — Nick Bryant (22:06)

6. Coded Language: “Shrimp,” “Pizza,” “Grape Soda”

• Emails feature cryptic language: “some are like shrimp—throw away the head and keep the body,” “aquarium full of girls,” “pizza and grape soda.” (41:21–45:40)
• Unclear whether these reference faces/bodies or something darker (dismemberment or code for children/drugs). The term “pizza” ties into broader “Pizzagate” theories. (43:48–46:45)
• Quote — “You’ve got a billionaire and a top urologist arranging pizza and grape soda? It seems off.” — Mark Gagnon (50:01)

7. Celebrity and Elite Involvement

• Deepak Chopra, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife (Fergie), and Leon Black are name-checked. Deepak’s email: “God is a construct, cute girls are real” (51:10–51:29).
• DiCaprio’s agent sourcing foreign deals through Epstein (59:41–61:18).
• Leon Black described as unusually close to Epstein; serious allegations of sadistic abuse in emails (22:06–24:39).
• Quote — “Would it surprise me that Leon Black is sadistic to girls? No, I wouldn’t.” — Nick Bryant (23:39)

8. Alleged Blackmail & Systemic Protection

• Epstein’s homes were wired for audiovisual blackmail—control through kompromat.
• Mainstream media narratives on why elites gave Epstein extraordinary favors (160mil+ from Leon Black) are ridiculed as laughable (27:22–28:07).
• FBI/DOJ publicly claim zero co-conspirators, seen as a “Maginot line” shielding the powerful (24:05–24:29).
• Quote: “If they start indicting co-conspirators, where do you stop?” — Nick Bryant (23:51)

9. Government & Law Enforcement Complicity

• Bryant details the enduring, bipartisan cover-up—from Bush II, Obama, Trump, Biden (29:54–31:28).
• The DOJ redacts names of perps against the intent of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (38:00–39:06).
• Quote: “The cover-up started under Bush II… went through Obama, Trump, Biden.” — Nick Bryant (29:54)

10. Systemic Trauma and Social Impact

• Exploration of the lifelong trauma faced by survivors, compounded by legal/psychological barriers to justice, leading to addiction and recidivism—“damaged goods” narrative used to destroy their credibility (75:03–77:50; 85:15–87:14).
• Bryant reflects on the immense scope: CDC estimates (conservatively) 25% of underage girls and 5% of underage boys have been abused, translating to 50 million+ people in the US alone (85:15–87:03).

11. Obstacles to Justice and Whistleblowers

• NDAs, the Epstein Victim Compensation Fund, psychological warfare, and direct threats all suppress whistleblowers.
• Maria Farmer reported Epstein in 1996, but authorities stalled for over a decade (91:06–91:35).
• Internal DOJ documents and the Ken Starr memo evidence deliberate protection and interference from the highest levels (93:43–95:15).

12. Who Is the Next Epstein?

• There are always multiple protected networks operating—the “next Epstein” exists, but is difficult to identify. The system enables the rise of successor operators through orphanages and institutions like Boys Town (90:16–101:07).
• Quote: “At any given time there are various Epstein’s trafficking children that are protected.” — Nick Bryant (90:16)

13. Epstein’s Origins and Intelligence Links

• Suspicious early trajectory: hired to teach at elite Dalton School by Donald Barr (ex-OSS, father of AG William Barr); then catapulted to Bear Stearns (BCCI links). Potentially groomed as an asset or caught and “turned” much like Franklin Scandal figures (103:37–109:55).
• Blackmail as an intentional tool of statecraft; government agencies using “private citizens” like Epstein to carry out black ops (111:44–112:52).
• Quote: “There is a dark, malignant corner of our intelligence that employs people like Epstein.” — Nick Bryant (112:41)

14. Recent Developments and Political Theater

• Congressional grilling of Pam Bondi and DOJ on why files are still redacted, failure to prosecute co-conspirators. Ted Lieu and Thomas Massie call bluff, referencing internal emails and redaction strategies (113:39–120:00).
• Quote: “There are over 1,000 sex trafficking victims and you have not held a single man accountable. Shame on you.” — Rep. Ted Lieu (116:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [06:04] Nick Bryant: “They passed around my picture... I hope they got my good side.”
• [09:54] Nick Bryant: “Some women are used as breeders.”
• [22:06] Nick Bryant: “The media has been just so disingenuous regarding Jeffrey Epstein.”
• [23:39] Nick Bryant: “Would it surprise me that Leon Black is sadistic to girls? No, I wouldn’t.”
• [23:51] Nick Bryant: “If they start indicting co-conspirators, where do you stop?”
• [29:54] Nick Bryant: “The cover-up started under Bush II… went through Obama, Trump, Biden.”
• [50:01] Mark Gagnon: “You’ve got a billionaire and a top urologist arranging pizza and grape soda? It seems off.”
• [90:16] Nick Bryant: “At any given time there are various Epstein’s trafficking children that are protected.”
• [112:41] Nick Bryant: “There is a dark, malignant corner of our intelligence that employs people like Epstein.”
• [116:10] Rep. Ted Lieu: “There are over 1,000 sex trafficking victims and you have not held a single man accountable. Shame on you.”

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–03:40 — Intro & Nick’s background as a relentless investigator.
• 03:40–07:29 — Bryant targeted in internal Epstein emails.
• 08:52–09:06 — Email categories: horrors, code words, celebrities, etc.
• 09:13–14:03 — Black market babies, breeders, and cloning.
• 22:06–24:39 — Leon Black’s sadistic abuse & public cover-up.
• 24:58–26:29 — Youngest victims, media complicit in dampening severity.
• 41:21–45:40 — Coded language: “shrimp,” “pizza,” “grape soda.”
• 51:10–51:29 — Deepak Chopra: “God is a construct. Cute girls are real.”
• 75:03–77:50 — Survivor trauma, credibility, and legal obstacles.
• 85:15–87:03 — The staggering scale of CSA in the US.
• 93:43–95:15 — Ken Starr email, DOJ/FBI deliberate cover-up.
• 113:39–120:00 — Congressional confrontation: redactions & lack of prosecutions.
• 121:22–122:42 — Call to action (EpsteinJustice.com, fighting for justice).

Tone & Language

• Direct, sometimes darkly humorous (“I hope they got my good side…”).
• Acutely skeptical of mainstream narratives and government statements.
• Deeply empathetic toward survivors and angry at systemic protection of elites.
• Not afraid to explore morbid, taboo, or “conspiratorial” aspects—yet balances with journalistic agnosticism.

Final Takeaways & How Listeners Can Act

• The files confirm and expand on the horror, perversity, and reach of Epstein’s network.
• There is overwhelming evidence of systemic cover-up, complicity, and ongoing networks operating with impunity.
• Healing and change will come from grassroots efforts (protecting children, supporting survivors) AND from relentless pressuring of the political system and support for specialized investigations.
• Listeners can learn more, support, or get involved through EpsteinJustice.com.

For comprehensive reading, supporting victim-justice, or detailed analysis, visit:
→ EpsteinJustice.com
→ NickBryantNYC.com

“I made a vow to myself... I’m not going to let these bastards get away with this.” — Nick Bryant (121:14)