Here's the Scoop – February 26, 2026

Episode Title: Hillary Clinton Testifies on Epstein; What Really Happened in Cuba?
Host: Yasmin Vossoughian (NBC News)
Key Segments: Hillary Clinton’s testimony on Epstein, Crisis in Cuba, US-Iran talks, Headlines

Episode Overview

On this episode, Yasmin Vossoughian guides listeners through the day's major stories. The headline focus is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s deposition before the House Oversight Committee regarding her possible connections to Jeffrey Epstein, with additional coverage of rising US-Cuba tensions after a deadly maritime incident, a quick briefing on US-Iran nuclear talks, and scientific news about a tiny dinosaur fossil discovery.

1. Hillary Clinton Testifies on Epstein

[00:03 - 13:14]

Main Theme

Coverage centers on the unprecedented congressional testimony of Hillary Clinton about her connections—or lack thereof—to Jeffrey Epstein, the committee’s motivations, and the broader implications for US politics.

Key Discussion Points

• Clinton’s Firm Denial and Critique of the Committee

  • Delivered a pointed opening statement asserting:
    “I do not recall ever encountering Mr. Epstein. I never flew on his plane or visited his island homes or offices.”
    (attributed to Hillary Clinton’s statement, [00:25])
  • Criticized the committee itself, calling it:
    “…an institutional failure designed to protect one political party rather than seek truth or justice for the victims.”
    (Clinton’s statement summarized, [00:32])

• Insight from Ryan Nobles

  • Ryan Nobles, NBC News Chief Capitol Hill Correspondent, provides on-the-ground analysis throughout the segment.
  • He notes the hearing’s political overtones:
    “…in many ways it's more of a political exercise than it is a true investigatory enterprise.”
    (Ryan Nobles, [01:59])
  • Details emerge about the Clinton Global Initiative and the presence of major Epstein-related donors, but Clinton claims she wasn’t involved at the time due to Senate duties.
  • The only revealed tie: Ghislaine Maxwell attending Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, which Clinton attributed to a "friend of a friend" connection.
  • The discussion largely circles back to Bill Clinton, whose deposition is scheduled for the following day.

• Testimony Drama and Photo Leak

  • During the deposition, Rep. Lauren Boebert leaks a clandestine photo of Hillary Clinton to a conservative influencer ([03:56]), briefly pausing proceedings over rules concerns—a notable irony, given Republican advocacy for closed-door testimony.
  • Nobles downplays any substantive revelations from the session.

• Bill Clinton’s Epstein Connection

  • Recap of public information:
    • Bill Clinton’s memoir: “I wish I had never met him…” about Epstein ([05:01]).
    • Maxwell claimed: “President Clinton was my friend, not Epstein’s friend,” stating she facilitated Clinton’s use of Epstein’s plane ([05:22]).
    • Demands for Bill Clinton to clarify flight logs, social relationships, and any knowledge of misconduct.

• Bipartisanship and Political Calculations

  • Nobles predicts tough, pointed questions for Bill Clinton—Democrats can’t appear soft given the parallel to Donald Trump’s own documented associations with Epstein ([06:09]).
  • Both Clinton and Trump, he notes, have denied significant connections, using similar phrasing:
    “I barely kn… as soon as I found out that he was kind of a creep, I told him to get out of my life. I wish I'd never met him. They're actually kind of eerily similar.”
    (Ryan Nobles, [07:18])

• Potential Future Witnesses

  • Emphasis on growing scrutiny of other prominent figures:
    • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose explanations about Epstein are widely doubted; Congresswoman Nancy Mace is pushing for his testimony ([08:58]).
    • Kathy Rumler (former Obama White House counsel) also likely to be called.
    • Pending depositions of Epstein’s CPA and attorney.
    • Donald Trump could conceivably be called, especially if Democrats regain the House.

• Missing DOJ Documents and Unanswered Questions

  • Yasmin probes about unreleased FBI interviews with a South Carolina woman who accused both Epstein and Trump (per NBC analysis).
    • Nobles explains these records are referenced but not publicly released ([11:35]); the DOJ claims legal limitations while Democrats push for transparency.

Memorable Quotes

• “If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much that needs to be done…”
  — Hillary Clinton’s opening statement, as paraphrased by Yasmin Vossoughian ([01:25])
• “There really isn't any sort of, like, tangible link between Hillary Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein other than Bill Clinton.”
  — Ryan Nobles ([02:49])

Timestamps

• [00:25] Clinton’s opening statement highlights
• [01:59] Nobles on political motives and substance of hearing
• [03:56] Photo leak incident
• [05:01] Recap of Bill Clinton–Epstein association
• [06:09] Committee expectations for Bill Clinton testimony
• [08:58] Future witnesses, especially Howard Lutnick
• [11:35] Missing DOJ documents and FBI interviews

2. What Happened in Cuba?

[15:19 - 22:32]

Main Theme

Analysis of a deadly shootout in Cuban waters, the Cuban regime’s version of events, implications for Cuba–US relations, and the worsening humanitarian crisis on the island.

Key Discussion Points

• Incident Overview

  • Cuban military killed four individuals on a US-flagged boat, claiming they foiled a terrorist plot ([15:19]).
  • Cuban officials state all involved were Cuban citizens living in the US.
  • Notable inconsistency: One listed “injured” is reportedly in Florida and unharmed ([17:14]).

• Calls for Investigation

  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio supports an independent probe due to discrepancies in accounts.

• Cuba’s Prolonged Crisis

  • Jose Diaz Balart describes longstanding economic hardship worsened by:
    • End of Soviet subsidies post-1991
    • Cessation of Venezuelan oil and aid following Nicolás Maduro’s ouster ([18:49])
    • Recent US-enforced oil blockade and Mexico’s reduced support ([20:59])
  • US will permit some humanitarian oil sales, though questions remain about actual suppliers ([21:02]).

• Humanitarian Realities

  • Diaz Balart paints a grim picture: “Think of having no electricity for days on end. Think of not knowing where or how you will be able to feed your children. There is no gasoline, there is no power.… The garbage is just piled up like snow in New York City after a storm. But it’s garbage. And you have people looking through that garbage to see if they can find something to eat.” ([21:28])
  • Worsening situation for everyday Cubans, with relative privilege for international tourist areas.

Memorable Quotes

• “…that they are Cuban citizens living in the United States…one of the people …is actually in South Florida… So there are discrepancies.”
  — Jose Diaz Balart ([17:14])
• “Think of having no electricity for days on end. Think of not knowing where or how you will be able to feed your children. … The garbage is just piled up like snow in New York City after a storm. But it’s garbage.”
  — Jose Diaz Balart ([21:28])

Timestamps

• [15:19] Incident described and guest intro
• [17:14] Discrepancies in Cuban government account
• [18:49] Historical context and economic crisis explanation
• [21:28] Daily life for Cubans amid crisis

3. Highlights & Headlines

[24:16 - End]

US-Iran Nuclear Talks

• Ongoing negotiations in Geneva, marked by deep mistrust
• President Trump claims imminent missile threat; US intelligence disagrees ([24:49])
• US wants Iran to remove highly enriched uranium from the country; Iran proposes diluting it

Domestic News

• Medicaid Funding Halted:
  Pause on $259 million in Medicaid to Minnesota over fraud probes ([25:45])
• Jesse Jackson’s Passing:
  Country mourns and commemorates civil rights leader Jesse Jackson ([26:08])

Science

• Tiny Dinosaur Discovery ([27:10]):
  Argentinian researchers discover “Alma,” a crow-sized dinosaur, challenging the notion that dinosaurs were all giants.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Both men [Clinton and Trump] have given the same excuses as it relates to Jeffrey Epstein. I barely kn… as soon as I found out that he was kind of a creep, I told him to get out of my life. I wish I'd never met him. They're actually kind of eerily similar.”
  — Ryan Nobles ([07:18])

• “Think of not knowing where or how you will be able to feed your children… people looking through that garbage to see if they can find something to eat.”
  — Jose Diaz Balart ([21:28])

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Segment | Main Topic | Featured Guests | Key Timestamp | |------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------| | Hillary Clinton Testifies | Clinton–Epstein connection | Ryan Nobles (NBC) | 00:03–13:14 | | Cuban Waters Incident | Maritime shootout/U.S.–Cuba | Jose Diaz Balart (NBC) | 15:19–22:32 | | Headlines & Science | US-Iran talks, Medicaid, Dino | Keir Simmons (NBC) | 24:16–End |

The Takeaway

Today’s episode delivers high-impact reporting on the politicized investigation into the Clinton-Epstein connection, growing Congressional scrutiny of other high-level officials, and real-time analysis of the deepening US-Cuba crisis. The tone is direct, factual, and insightful, with trusted correspondents offering both news and broader context.

For further updates:
Listen to the upcoming episode, when Bill Clinton himself testifies before the House Oversight Committee.