IHIP News Podcast Summary

Episode: Trump Drowning As Other Countries Zero In On His Epstein Cover-Up
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Date: February 19, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Jennifer and Angie deliver a passionate and comedic deep dive into the latest political developments surrounding Donald Trump, the Jeffrey Epstein case, and the broader failures of both U.S. political parties and justice systems to hold powerful individuals accountable. They focus particular attention on Les Wexner’s role, the glaring inaction by Congress (especially Republicans), and the mounting international investigations into Epstein’s network. Personal frustration, biting sarcasm, and empathy for survivors set the tone throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Les Wexner’s Role and Congressional Neglect

[01:27-04:50]

Les Wexner, billionaire former head of Victoria’s Secret, is highlighted as a key figure in Jeffrey Epstein’s rise.
The hosts underscore that Wexner was the first major benefactor, transferring Epstein money and real estate, including a $77 million Manhattan townhouse.
During Wexner’s deposition, “not a single Republican congress member showed up” (C, [02:00]). Outrage is voiced at this “dereliction of duty.”
Despite decades of accusations and testimony (e.g., Maria Farmer contacting the FBI in 1995), Wexner claims he was merely “naive and duped by Epstein” and “cut ties nearly two decades ago.” The hosts call this a “complete lie.”
Quote:

“Wexner also said he hasn't been contacted by the FBI or the DOJ at all. And so first I want to talk about how can you sit there as a party, James Comer, you were so worried about corruption with Hunter Biden and his laptop, but you're not going to listen to the testimony of an alleged co conspirator in the largest global sex trafficking operation... That is absolutely a dereliction of duty.”
— C ([02:08])

2. Bipartisan Failures and the Justice Department

[04:15-05:30]

The hosts argue failure isn’t only on Trump or Republicans:

“It is a failing of so many justice departments, not just Trump's. Now, I'm not saying that this Justice Department isn't worse, but... this has been in the ecosystem for decades.”
— C ([04:38])
Despite survivors and whistleblowers sounding the alarm for years, investigations are repeatedly neglected or hushed.

3. International Scrutiny and Hope for Real Justice

[05:45-07:20]

Hosts note increased international attention, particularly from France, where teams of expert prosecutors are examining the “global criminal enterprise.”
They express hope that the UN will formally investigate.
Quote:

“Files suggest the existence of a global criminal enterprise with acts that may amount to crimes against humanity, say UN experts. And that's per the Guardian, and that's been widely reported.”
— C ([05:54])

4. Law Enforcement and Political Stonewalling

[11:29-13:50]

Reference to journalist Julie K. Brown, who broke the Epstein story in 2017 and believes authorities are willfully ignoring further revelations, not wishing to confront how “egregious” the conduct has been.
DOJ is accused of redacting key co-conspirator identities, despite Congressional pressure.
Republican leadership (“the ‘pro-family’ party”) is accused of hypocrisy and enabling abuse:

“You don't give a fuck. You are not a pro life party because once the child is born you don't care. Everyone in that party, starting with Mike Johnson all the way down, is protecting pedophiles... Trump... ran and was reelected on releasing the Epstein files and now he has been termed by Marjorie Taylor Greene as the one that's fighting against their release the most.”
— C ([12:40])

5. Importance of Persistence and Advocacy for Survivors

[13:10-14:40]

Emphasis on keeping focus and pressure on Epstein revelations, as there are “over 3 million items in the Epstein files that we have not seen.”
Survivors remain the real victims and continue to suffer.
Praise is given to Congressional members, lawyers, and activists keeping the story alive.
Hosts promise to “keep shining a light on this” and repeat the importance of advocating for justice.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“There would be no Epstein if there was no Les Wexner. He provided money and access... it was his townhouse that Jeffrey Epstein owned in Manhattan that Les Wexner deeded that to him.”
— C ([01:35])
“It just appears there is a different level of attention paid to crimes by the very wealthy and the ‘elites’. It appears that it was swept under the rug by more than just one Justice Department.”
— C ([03:28])
“He owned the Victoria’s Secret conglomerate... It has been widely reported Epstein told girls... he was a scout for Victoria’s Secret. And it was reported to Wexner numerous times and he did nothing about it.”
— C ([04:36])
On MAGA hypocrisy:

“The MAGA party that was all in on ‘we want to release the Epstein files’ has now done a complete 180 and they don’t give a [expletive].”
— C ([14:35])
“Every time there’s an investigation and nothing happens or it is called a hoax, it is survivors that suffer. These women have been victimized by this powerful group of men...”
— C ([13:50])

Important Timestamps

01:27 — Deep dive into Les Wexner’s role and Congressional inaction
03:30 — Failures of DOJ across multiple administrations, not just Trump’s
05:54 — Global criminal implications; UN and international investigations
11:29 — Julie K. Brown’s insight, political and legal system stonewalling
12:40 — Searing critique of GOP hypocrisy on family values and child protection
13:50 — Emphasis on survivor advocacy, unfinished business

Tone & Style

The hosts are passionate, direct, and often profane, expressing anger, sarcasm, and empathy.
Their comedic asides and emotional candor underscore their serious concern for survivors and frustration with systemic corruption.
The summary stays true to this tone, delivering both information and the hosts’ pointed perspectives.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive and lively recap of this candid, urgent, and unfiltered political episode.

Transcript

A (0:00)

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with a name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try it@progressive.com, progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

B (0:20)

Why have we asked our contractor we found on Angie.com to be our kid's legal guardian?

C (0:24)

Because he took such good care when

B (0:25)

redoing our basement that we knew we could trust him to care for our kids.

A (0:29)

We only met a month ago. Angie, the one you trust to find the ones you trust. Find pros for all your home projects@angie.com

D (0:35)

if you're shopping while working, eating or even listening to this podcast, then you know and love the thrill of a deal. But are you getting the deal and cash back? Rakuten shoppers do they get the brands they love savings and cash back and you can get it too. Start getting cash back at your favorite stores like Target, Sephora and even Expedia. Stack sales on top of cash back and feel what it's like to know you're maximizing the savings. It's easy to use and you get your cash back sent to you through PayPal or check. The idea is simple. Stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers and Rakuten shares the money with you as cash back. Download the free Rakuten app or go to rakuten.com to start saving today. It's the most rewarding way to shop. That's R a K u t e n rakuten.com.

C (1:27)

One of the most important as alleged co conspirators in the Jeffrey Epstein case is Les Wexner. Les Wexner was the first person that we can document that began giving Jeffrey Epstein large sums of money in the files he is alleged to have been a co conspirator with Jeffrey Epstein and Robert Garcia made the statement regarding Les Wexner. There would be no Epstein if there was no Les Wexner. He provided money and access and it was his townhouse that Jeffrey Epstein owned in Manhattan that Les Wexner deeded that to him. So let's see what happened with Republicans, the pro family party, the pro child party. Regarding the testimony of this incredibly important witness we have Brian Cranston breaking Congressman said that not a single Republican congress member showed up for the deposition of Les Wexner today. They literally don't care about Epstein and his co conspirators. What kind of sick people Are they? Wexner also said he hasn't been contacted by the FBI or the DOJ at all. And so first I want to talk about how can you sit there as a party James Comer, you were so worried about corruption with Hunter Biden and his laptop, but you're not going to listen to the testimony of an alleged co conspirator in the largest global sex trafficking operation that has in my lifetime that I have ever heard of. Nobody in the Republican Party shows up for that. That is absolutely a dereliction of duty. And another dare election of duty. And the part that makes me so mad about this is that Wexner testified that DOJ nor FBI has ever contacted him. And it is easy to say, well, of course Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche aren't going to contact him. He hasn't been. They haven't contacted survivors. But the investigation has gone on for more than Trump 2.0 administration. Where was the Biden DOJ in this? It just appears there is a different level of attention paid to crimes by the very wealthy and the quote unquote elites. It appears that it was swept under the rug by more than just one Justice Department. The neglect of these survivors has gone on on for decades. You have Maria Farmer that says in 1995 she made a report to the FBI about Jeffrey Epstein that is documented in these files. Where was the follow up throughout the course of all these decades when he became a sex offender? He is a registered sex offender as of 2008. Nothing happened. He had a sweetheart deal the victims didn't know about. It's just you look at this. It is a failing of so many justice departments, not just Trump's. Now, I'm not saying that this Justice Department isn't worse, but I'm just saying you cannot blame it all on Trump 2.0 because we know for a fact that this has been in the ecosystem for for decades. And then a statement that has been released by Les Wexner that he presented to the Oversight committee reported by Midas Touch just in. Billionaire Les Wexner has submitted a written statement to the House Oversight Committee ahead of his testimony on Jeffrey Epstein. In the letter, Wexner says he was naive and duped by Epstein, calls him a con man and insists he cut ties nearly two decades ago. He and had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct. Obviously I'm calling bullshit on that. Here's the thing. Wexner owned the Victoria's Secret conglomerate. It has been widely reported Epstein told girls when he brought them over from other Countries and ones procured in the United States that he was a scout for Victoria's Secret. And it was reported that to Les Wexner numerous times and he did nothing about it. I do not believe that if his conduct was. Oh, I just was naive. He would be listed as a. As one of four co conspirators with Jeffrey Epstein. I think that this is a complete lie. He's trying to cover his own ass because Jeffrey Epstein had a property built on Les Wexner's land in Ohio. He. He admits he's to the island. If you read the reports, Jeffrey Epstein never went anywhere without a gaggle of very young girls. So I've always wondered, what did Les Wexner, what. What was so damaging to him that he continued to funny funnel money to Jeffrey Epstein? And he said, oh, well, you know, he was a money manager. That's what he said in the past. The question is, why would you give so much money to someone that had no expertise in this, in money managing? You give him a $77 million piece of property in New York City, like, it just. It doesn't make sense. I've long thought maybe Les Wexner was in love with Jeffrey Epstein. Otherwise, he obviously had severely compromising information about him. Either way, he has never been contacted by the FBI or doj. And I find that to be really, really disturbing. And then we have something that is long overdue, in my opinion. Files suggest the existence of a global criminal enterprise with acts that may amount to crimes against humanity, say UN experts. And that's per the Guardian, and that's been widely reported. My hope for all this is you are seeing other countries go into deep investigations. You thought we've seen. France has assembled a huge team of what they consider expert prosecutors to investigate this. We had an attorney for the victims that said that they will be happy to cooperate with any investigation. I hope that the UN will open an investigation to this. We have other countries besides France that are also opening investigation. This needs to be investigated. Okay, everybody listening to this knows how easy it is for your personal information that's on the Internet to be shared in your identity to be taken. Plus, it leaves you open to all kinds of doxing or contact you simply don't want. Delete Me Knows your privacy is worth protecting. Sign up and provide Delete me with exactly what information you want deleted, and their experts take it from there. Delete Me sends you regular personalized privacy reports showing what info they found, where they found it, and what they removed. This is so important, you guys Deleteme is always working for you, constantly monitoring and removing the personal information you don't want on the Internet. As someone who has an online presence, I use and trust Delete Me to keep my privacy private. So take control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for Deleteme now at a special discount for our listeners. Get 20% off your delete me plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com ihip and use promo code IHIP at checkout. The only way to get 20% off is is to go to joindeleteme.com ihip and enter code IHIP at checkout.