Morning Wire – "State of the Midterms & Epstein Snare Widens"

Date: February 26, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe
Notable Contributors: Cabot Phillips, Lyndon Blake, Randy Sutton

Episode Overview

This episode examines the high-stakes political maneuvering post-State of the Union as both parties gear up for the 2026 midterms and details the rapidly expanding fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein revelations, now ensnaring famous figures like Bill Gates, Larry Summers, and the Clintons. The show concludes with a heated local issue: the New York City mayor's controversial response to violence against police officers.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. The State of the Midterms: Fallout from the State of the Union

[02:43–07:12]

Republican Posture

• In the wake of Trump’s combative State of the Union, Republicans are optimistic about the polling boost.
• Cabot Phillips explains:

  “A CNN poll… found that roughly 2/3 of those who viewed the event said it went favorably… the White House is most excited that before the speech, 54% of viewers felt Trump’s policies would take the country in the right direction. Afterward, that jumped to 64%." – Cabot Phillips [03:03]

• The administration is positioning itself against what it calls “the crazy and off the rails” left.

Democratic Counter-Programming

• Democrats focus their criticisms on economic concerns, pursuing an affordability and truthfulness angle.
• Senate Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump’s address the “state of delusion."
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the speech was "riddled with dirty rotten lies." [04:02]
• Rep. Ilhan Omar created controversy with vocal disruptions during the event and tweeted direct accusations at Trump.

  “Donald Trump killed two of my constituents.” – Rep. Ilhan Omar (tweet quoted by Cabot Phillips) [04:45]

• Texas Rep. Al Green was removed from the event for disruptive protests.

Election Strategy & Stakes

• State of the Union seen as "the unofficial kickoff of election season" with both sides emphasizing the economy. [05:26–06:58]
• Republicans are defending more Senate seats (22 vs. Democrats’ 13) but most are in solidly red states.
• Key battlegrounds: Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Maine; potentially tight races in Alaska, Ohio.
• House majority is slim, and trend over the past 50 years suggests the president’s party usually loses around 33 seats in first midterms.

2. Epstein Fallout Widens: Gates, Summers, and the Clintons

[08:17–11:56]

Bill Gates

• Admitted during a town hall to two affairs with Russian women while married.
• Epstein allegedly threatened Gates over one such affair.
• Gates apologized for associating with Epstein but insists:

  “I did nothing illicit, I saw nothing illicit. And to be clear, I never spent any time with the victims, the women around him.” – Bill Gates (as recounted by Lyndon Blake) [08:36]

• Continuing revelations from the Epstein files have spurred new questions about Gates, though he denies wrongdoing.

Larry Summers

• Former Harvard President and Treasury Secretary announced he would not return to Harvard after already suspending his teaching (originally after Epstein files release in Nov 2025).
• Summers maintained a known relationship with Epstein long after his first conviction, generating renewed pressure and university investigations into broader Epstein ties.

Upcoming Clinton Testimony

• Hillary Clinton scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee in New York; Bill Clinton set to testify the following day.

• Bill Clinton’s association with Epstein widely reported, including flights on Epstein’s private jet.

• Hillary Clinton maintains she cannot recall ever speaking to Epstein.

• Concurrently, Democrats are pressing DOJ to release files alleging to link President Trump to Epstein as well.

  “This has been years of public relationships… but the files being released are really bringing some disturbing details to light.” – Lyndon Blake [10:49]

3. NYPD Assault & the ‘Snowball Fight’ Controversy

[12:04–16:22]

Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s Response

• After NYPD officers were attacked by a group with snowballs and ice, Mayor Mamdani characterized the incident as a “snowball fight,” drawing fierce backlash.

• Randy Sutton, retired Las Vegas Police Lt. and founder of the Wounded Blue, called out this framing:

  “This wasn’t a snowball fight, okay. Law enforcement officers were attacked… If you think that an ice ball can’t take out someone’s eye or cause a serious cranial injury, well, then your thinking is malformed… This is a felony crime.” – Randy Sutton [12:45–13:56]

Broader Law Enforcement Crisis

• Sutton argues that rhetoric from progressive leaders undermines police, hurting recruitment and morale:

  “We’re in a law enforcement crisis right now… Mayors and DAs are more interested in prosecuting police officers than criminals. We are now seeing the diminishment of the number of police officers in major cities like New York.” – Randy Sutton [15:00]

• The impact is lasting, as it takes years to develop competent police, and trends suggest worsening police shortages and public safety challenges.

Notable Quotes

• “Before the speech… 54% of viewers felt Trump’s policies would take the country in the right direction. Afterward, that number jumped to 64%.” – Cabot Phillips [03:03]
• “It was the state of delusion.” – Chuck Schumer, via Cabot Phillips [04:02]
• “Donald Trump killed two of my constituents.” – Rep. Ilhan Omar (tweet as recounted) [04:45]
• “There’s been increased pressure for [Larry Summers] to step away. And now Harvard is investigating other university ties to Epstein.” – Lyndon Blake [09:41]
• “This wasn’t a snowball fight… Law enforcement officers were attacked. Officers were hospitalized. This is a felony crime.” – Randy Sutton [13:00]
• “We are now seeing the diminishment of the number of police officers in major cities like New York.” – Randy Sutton [15:00]

Important Timestamps

• [02:43] – The midterms and post-State of the Union political strategies
• [03:03] – GOP optimism, public polling shifts after SOTU
• [04:02] – Democratic attacks focus on economic woes and rhetoric
• [05:22–06:58] – Seat battles and election math for House and Senate
• [08:17] – Epstein fallout: Updates on Gates and Summers
• [10:55] – Looking ahead to Clinton testimony and further investigations
• [12:04] – NYC mayor's “snowball fight” remarks; law enforcement response
• [13:56–16:22] – The wider effect of progressive rhetoric on policing and public safety

Summary & Takeaways

This episode of Morning Wire delivers in-depth political analysis as the 2026 midterm cycle gains steam, highlighting sharp divisions between Republican and Democratic messaging and strategies in the wake of a fractious State of the Union. The show also keeps a close eye on growing scandals stemming from Jeffrey Epstein's files, where even high-profile tech and academic figures—and the Clinton family—find themselves feeling the heat. Lastly, urban law enforcement challenges are addressed through a controversial NYPD incident, tying local events into national narratives about leadership, accountability, and public safety.

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