Danny Jones Podcast #383 Glenn Greenwald: War Updates, Trump-Clinton Cover Up & Joe Kent

Episode Overview In this gripping and wide-ranging conversation, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald joins Danny Jones to dissect the current geopolitical landscape, ongoing wars, the bipartisan Epstein cover-up, and the state of U.S. government accountability. The duo dive into Joe Kent’s explosive whistleblowing, the persistent influence of the Israel lobby, and the inner workings of power revealed through the Epstein files. Also on the table: Trump’s political evolution, the shifting media and censorship landscape, religion's resurgence in politics, and Greenwald’s own origin story breaking the Snowden files. Throughout, Greenwald and Jones explore the limits of investigative journalism, the psychological toll of whistleblowing, and why the elite’s “club” remains so resilient.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Joe Kent, Whistleblowing & the War Machine

• [01:18–06:20] Danny and Glenn kick off discussing the Joe Kent saga—a decorated ex-Green Beret and intelligence official now facing FBI investigation after revealing the U.S. government misled the public regarding an imminent war with Iran.
• Greenwald compares Kent’s treatment to historical whistleblowers like Daniel Ellsberg, Julian Assange, and Edward Snowden: “Anyone who comes and reveals secrets...this is the playbook: they attack your character, your sanity. They run the same script every time.” [04:10, Greenwald]
• They highlight how the “war machine” rewards institutional loyalty but punishes those who break ranks—even if they’re highly decorated. “The people who stay…are just the people who have dead souls or want to serve power.” [09:20, Greenwald]

2. Trump’s Evolution & The Deep State Reality

• [10:11–15:47] Greenwald reflects on initial hope for Obama (and later, Trump) as anti-establishment leaders, only to witness the continuity of the national security state and endless wars.
• “There really is this kind of deep state…a permanent power faction in Washington, that’s for sure…If you stop this program, you’ll have blood on your hands—they don’t mess around.” [12:50, Greenwald]
• The second Trump administration’s pivot is attributed to desperation (facing prison if not reelected), surrounded by hawkish billionaire interests, resulting in “co-option” of his initial antiwar promises. [13:40–15:47]

3. Wall St, Insider Deals & the Epstein Layer

• [17:32–19:00] Jones and Greenwald discuss recent market manipulation around the Iran conflict and draw parallels to Pelosi’s uncanny stock-picking and the profiteering surrounding both Biden and Trump families.
• “The Trump family and people around them are profiteering in a way that makes Hunter Biden look like a small-time shoplifter.” [18:30, Greenwald]

4. The American Right’s Dissent vs. Left’s Conformity

• [19:41–21:02] Greenwald commends elements on the right (Rogan, Tucker, etc.) for voicing independent criticism of Trump, contrasting with the uncritical “blind partisan” nature of establishment Democrats.
• On Israel/Epstein, he notes: “On two issues…the one poll Trump is Helen Keller on is Israel and Epstein—he just ignores those completely.” [20:38, Jones]

5. The Transnational Epstein “Epstein Files,” Israel, and Oligarchy

• [22:31–31:22] The heart of the episode explores Epstein’s real significance: his role as fixer and operator for a transnational class above nation-states, supported by billionaires like Leslie Wexner and Leon Black, all fervently pro-Israel.
• “There is this Epstein world—a group of sociopaths who move massive amounts of money, kill people, with complete immunity. That’s what the Epstein files have revealed.” [26:40, Greenwald]
• Discussion includes the long-overlooked Israeli hacks proving Epstein’s deep involvement with Mossad, as well as evidence of his connections to other global elites, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

6. Hypernormalization & Citizen Powerlessness

• [33:18–41:02] The phenomenon of “hypernormalization”—society coping with evident but ignored systemic rot—is used to explain the lack of large-scale protest after the Epstein revelations.
• “People only protest when they feel a sense of agency. With Epstein, it just feels too big, like, ‘Who are we even protesting? Who would help us?’” [38:40, Greenwald]

7. Media, Narrative Control, and the First Amendment

• [41:57–48:05] Greenwald and Jones highlight media complicity in hiding elite corruption, the effectiveness of “culture war” distractions, and why independent media is so critical. Social dynamics outside internet bubbles feel far more nuanced and united than online discourse suggests.
• “Left versus right is almost irrelevant…if you go online you see division, but in real life people have so much more in common. These differences are purposely inflamed to prevent unity.” [44:50, Greenwald]

8. Israel Lobby, Speech Codes, and Unprecedented Influence

• [51:12–77:43] Unpacking the historic influence of the Israel Lobby in American politics, they trace bipartisan Israel support, the collapse of anti-semitism taboos, and the current panic driving more overt pressure campaigns.
• Notable revelations: The U.S. and dozens of states legally require contractors not to boycott Israel (“anti-BDS laws”); top universities are pressured into censoring criticism of Israel using the IHRA definition of antisemitism; and billions in aid flow while debate is stifled.
• “Pelosi saved the NSA. These speech codes to protect Israel—they’re not even for Americans. The focus is protecting a foreign state.” [76:19–77:43, Greenwald]

9. War with Iran, Regime Panic, and Nuclear Risks

• [113:05–127:00] Greenwald details how the current Iran war is creating unprecedented risk—militarily, economically, and geopolitically. Veterans of the Iraq debacle, including lawmakers and think tanks, are reprising their roles, using recycled WMD narratives.
• “Trump can’t end the war now because he can’t extract terms that look like a victory… desperate measures, even nuclear weapons, aren’t impossible.” [113:21, Greenwald]
• “If you’re a rational leader in the developing world, you’d be stupid not to get nuclear weapons—look what happened to Gaddafi.” [123:53, Greenwald]

10. The Club: Trump, Clinton & Elite Mutual Protection

• [130:34–135:36] In one of the most chilling segments, they analyze why Trump and Clinton, once fierce public enemies, are now publicly exonerating each other on Epstein—mutually assured destruction.
• “They all have an interest in minimizing the Epstein files—everyone that matters to Trump and Clinton is at risk. So they stick together.” [134:56, Greenwald]
• The “big club,” referenced by George Carlin, is revealed to be real: “They agree on 95% of what matters. The conflict is theater.” [132:00–134:00, Greenwald]

11. The Snowden Origin Story

• [149:21–175:32] The episode closes with Greenwald’s personal account of his contact with Edward Snowden, the arduous verification process, the adrenaline of breaking the story in Hong Kong, and the price paid for exposing the global surveillance state.
• Citizenfour, the Oscar-winning documentary, is described as the best chronicle of these events.
• Greenwald underscores the U.S. government’s ruthless lengths to silence dissent and discourage future whistleblowers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Anyone who reveals government secrets...the playbook: attack their character, their sanity. Same script every time.” [04:10, Greenwald]

• “There is this Epstein world…a transnational global elite…who just move massive amounts of money around, kill people, have, and—I mean, this is the most amazing thing—Epstein was convicted and it didn’t impede his standing in this world even a little bit.” [26:40, Greenwald]

• “If you stop this program, you’ll have blood on your hands—these people don’t play around.” [12:48, Greenwald]

• “The only way to defend yourself against U.S. or Israeli aggression is to have nuclear weapons. We’ve taught the world to proliferate.” [123:40, Greenwald]

• “The focus is never unity against elites. The story as old as politics: keep us divided horizontally, never vertically.” [44:51, Greenwald]

• “If I had the power to make people realize anything, it’s that the supposed conflict between Democrats and Republicans is mostly a show. They’re in the same club. Ninety-five percent is agreed upon. The rest is for the cameras.” [134:00, Greenwald]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Joe Kent whistleblowing & playbook on dissenters: [02:10–07:11]
• Deep State & presidential power: [11:14–15:47]
• Polls, Trump & Epsteingate: [20:38–23:41]
• Epstein-Mossad revelations: [23:41–31:22]
• Hypernormalization & societal powerless: [33:18–41:02]
• Media, narrative, and the left-right divide: [41:57–48:05]
• Israel lobby, BDS oaths, speech codes: [51:12–77:43]
• Current Iran war, regime panic, nuclear risks: [113:05–127:00]
• Trump/Clinton/Elite cover-up: [130:34–135:36]
• Snowden story: [149:21–175:32]

Tone & Language

• Engaged, conversational, at times darkly humorous (typical of both Greenwald and Jones).
• Forthright, occasionally sarcastic, never shying away from calling out political hypocrisy or double standards.
• Language is unsparing about corruption and elite impunity, while stressing the stakes for democracy and civil liberties.

Conclusion This episode of the Danny Jones Podcast, featuring Glenn Greenwald, is a tour de force exploration of American power, whistleblower persecution, the war state, the decreasing effectiveness of elite control, and the crucial importance of independent media. The discussion stands out for its candid dissection of taboo topics (from Epstein to Israel to Snowden), deep historical perspective, and the kind of wisdom and clarity that only years of close observation can yield.

For thorough yet engaging insight into today’s political labyrinth—with all its horrors, ironies, and occasional moments of hope—this episode is essential listening.