Episode Overview

Title: Trump Panics in Epstein Aftermath Pushing Lies as Clintons Gear Up to Testify
Podcast: IHIP News
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie "Pumps" Sullivan (with guest Kylie Welch and Poppy Harlow)
Date: February 3, 2026

This episode dives into the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files, highlighting Donald Trump's evasions and deflections in the public eye, the media's complicity, and the broader implications for democracy. Hosts bring their signature progressive, irreverent tone to a critical look at both MAGA Republicans and the failures of mainstream Democrats, while also discussing the Clinton deposition, propaganda in right-wing media, and the urgent need for activism as midterm elections approach.

Key Discussion Points

1. Trump’s Gaslighting and Epstein File Evasions

• Poppy Harlow introduces the episode's main theme: Trump's dismissive and dishonest responses to his appearance in the newly released Epstein files ([00:05]).

• A Trump audio clip plays, with Trump downplaying his connection to Epstein and scapegoating others:

  “Nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. ...there are a lot of questions about it, but nothing on me.” – Donald Trump ([00:29])

• Kylie Welch calls out Trump’s statement as “intentional propaganda and gaslighting…a survival, fight or flight reflex for him.” She notes Trump's repeated lying when “clearly objectively involved” and points out the hypocrisy of his supporters, the lack of media coverage on the full geopolitical context, and Trump's role as “their Trojan horse” for authoritarian interests ([01:07]).

2. Lack of Accountability and Systemic Failures

• Hosts express rage and frustration that despite years of abuse and political coverups, likely none of the powerful men involved (especially Trump) will face consequences.

  “None of these men are going to face accountability, least of all Trump. ...not only that, the FBI is re-releasing pictures and private information about these women, but blocking out pictures, aka Donald Trump.” – Poppy Harlow ([03:02])

• Kylie Welch blames both GOP and Democratic leaders, including Garland and Biden, for failing to push for accountability during their time in power:

  “Merrick Garland and Joe Biden had this for four years. Four years. ...and they just said here, here’s democracy, you fascist nutjob. ...It is the most maddening thing.” ([03:46])

3. The Clinton Deposition & Double Standards

• Poppy Harlow notes the news that Bill and Hillary Clinton will testify under oath for four hours, unlike Trump, who has avoided any similar scrutiny.

  “Do I think Bill Clinton was up to some really shady shit in this? Absolutely. ...But ...Donald Trump hasn’t been questioned under oath for four hours about Epstein.” ([05:25])

• Revelation from the Epstein files about Melania’s introduction to Trump is also discussed, raising questions about her history and the lack of transparency in her public narrative.

4. Propaganda, Hypocrisy, and the Authoritarian Playbook

• Kylie Welch argues that the Trump era is not "politics as usual" but fundamentally fascistic, with constant use of propaganda, gaslighting, and hypocrisy.

  “We cannot take our normal everyday logic that we would apply to a Mitt Romney administration or a George W. Bush administration and apply that here. This is a different beast.” ([08:13])

• Recurrent theme: the regime (Trump and associates) will not self-correct, act with integrity, or apply the law equitably. The only way to counter is “locking in” for the fight ([10:52]).

• Poppy Harlow and Kylie Welch touch on Fox News and other right-wing outlets pushing daily “North Korea style” propaganda, distracting from real issues and scapegoating immigrants ([12:27], [13:25]).

5. The Power Behind the Curtain: Oligarchs and Media

• Kylie names billionaire power players (Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, etc.) as key actors pulling the strings, manipulating politics in the shadows because they themselves are unelectable.

  “We will install puppets and we will get all of the power and we will pull all of the levers. ...The machinations ...these really dark nefarious people...they've decided, oh, I don’t think democracy is great anymore.” ([18:06])

• Critique of Citizens United and corporate personhood as eroding actual democracy.

6. The Call to Action: Engagement Despite Fatigue

• The hosts insist the situation is dire but not hopeless—historical change comes from the people, not parties.

  “But I look back upon history and it’s always been people that have been the impetus of movements, not political parties.” – Kylie Welch ([04:37])

• Kylie:

  “It is our job to call it out...Amplify scholars, amplify experts. This playbook has been done before in history and we have to make sure because this is our last chance in the midterms…we must step up and meet this moment.” ([19:00], [21:09])

• Urges listeners to stay “locked in,” show up in overwhelming numbers at the polls, and not fall victim to nihilism—despite the psychological fatigue the constant barrage of bad news brings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Poppy Harlow ([03:02]):

  “It was a full blown pedophile, sex trafficking reign to the highest reaches of power and money and political agents and nobody is going to be held accountable.”

• Kylie Welch ([08:13]):

  “These people are fascist through and through. Their number one default setting is propaganda…He will always go after innocent people.”

• Kylie Welch ([10:52]):

  “We need to lock in and understand and just accept as a foregone conclusion that every single day when you wake up in Trump’s America, you’re going to get erosion of civil liberties, you’re going to get pathological lies, and you’re going to get a shit ton of propaganda.”

• Kylie Welch ([19:00]):

  “Propaganda is cheating. Fox News is cheating. These are titty babies that get up and whine and lie all day every day. And it is our job to call it out.”

• Kylie Welch ([21:09]):

  “Their intention to scare us, their intention to advertise the breathtaking hypocrisy so that we will descend into nihilism. That’s their desired result. And so we have to stay engaged. It’s exhausting...But it’s the fight of our lives and we must step up and meet this moment.”

Key Segment Timestamps

• Epstein Files & Trump’s Gaslighting: [00:05]–[03:46]
• Failings of DOJ & Democrats: [03:46]–[05:25]
• Clinton Deposition Double Standards & Melania’s Ties: [05:25]–[08:13]
• Fascist Playbook & Propaganda: [08:13]–[13:25]
• Role of Oligarchs/Power Brokers: [18:06]–[19:00]
• Activism, Voting, & Urgency for Change: [19:00]–[21:40]

Tone, Energy, and Style

• Passionate, irreverent, and openly exasperated with the current state of US politics.
• Sharp, at times biting humor (e.g., “titty babies that get up and whine and lie all day”).
• Deeply critical of both Republican and Democratic failures; calls for grassroots mobilization.
• Candid, unfiltered camaraderie among hosts, giving the episode an energizing feel despite heavy themes.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The Trump–Epstein connection and broader corruption are not being adequately addressed by authorities or the media.
• Propaganda and hypocrisy are now central to US governance, not unfortunate side effects.
• Powerful tech and media oligarchs are manipulating democracy from behind the scenes.
• Engagement and robust turnout are the only ways to fight back; nihilism and disengagement are the true enemies.
• The hosts urge listeners to “lock in” for the long battle, amplify truth, and vote as if democracy depends on it—because it does.