No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen

Episode Title: Bombshell: Epstein Co-Conspirators Revealed
Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Brian Tyler Cohen
Guests: Congressman Ro Khanna, Ari Berman (Mother Jones), Alejandro Serrano (Texas Tribune)

Overview

This episode dives into the explosive unraveling of new details from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation as, for the first time, names of co-conspirators long shielded from public view become public. Brian Tyler Cohen interviews Congressman Ro Khanna, a firsthand witness to the unredacted files; journalist Ari Berman, expert on political suppression and election interference; and Alejandro Serrano, Texas Tribune reporter on Latino political realignment. The discussion zeroes in on government coverup, accountability, electoral threats, and shifting demographics in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bombshell Revelations from the Epstein Files

[00:59–03:58]

• Background: Recent pressure has forced the DOJ to release previously redacted Epstein files, revealing for the first time high-level co-conspirators.

• Congressional Action: Lawmakers like Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie viewed the unredacted files at DOJ, exposing that 70–80% of content remains redacted without clear cause.

• Co-Conspirator Names Disclosed:

  • Salvatore Navora
  • Zorab Michalades
  • Lupig Leonor
  • Nicola Caputa
  • Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayam (CEO, Dubai Ports World)
  • Leslie Wexner (billionaire businessman)
  • Victim testimony also implicates names including Jean-Luc Brunel, Lex Wessner, Mark Epstein, Donald Trump, Jenny Saunders, David Copperfield, Ghislaine Maxwell, and a “Cunningham.”

• Quotes:

  • "There were six wealthy, powerful men that the DOJ hid for no apparent reason." — Ro Khanna (01:42)
  • "They managed to bat a thousand on redacting the names of the men who associated with Epstein… that is quite the coincidence." — Brian Tyler Cohen (02:36)

2. DOJ, FBI, and White House: Accusations of a Cover-Up

[04:00–06:50]

• DOJ officials and FBI Director Cash Patel repeatedly denied evidence of other perpetrators besides Epstein.

• Recent revelations directly contradict these public statements, leading to assertions of a high-level coverup to protect elite and politically powerful figures.

• The Trump administration and Attorney General Pam Bondi are accused of ongoing stonewalling and legal manipulation to protect these individuals.

• High-profile DOJ claims that all credible information had already been released are undermined.

• Quote:

  • "The public is witnessing the biggest political cover-up in US history, one that makes Watergate look like nothing at all." — Brian Tyler Cohen (05:45)

3. Interview with Congressman Ro Khanna

[08:22–24:17]

Key Points:

• Redactions Unexplained:
  • Khanna emphasizes that by law, the DOJ cannot redact files to avoid embarrassment or political harm. The current redactions are deemed illegal and shield prominent men.
  • "You have Lutnik still as the Commerce Secretary… someone who was on the Epstein plane… not having to answer questions… all these elite big tech names, real estate names, people in Hollywood … hoping they'll escape scrutiny." (09:04)
• Obstruction Across Agencies:
  • DOJ staff were helpful, but redactions originate from higher-ups and possibly the FBI, especially under Trump: "We know that the FBI went through redacting Donald Trump's name, so they're doing the exact opposite of what the law requires." (10:39)
• Ghislaine Maxwell’s Clemeny Gambit:
  • Maxwell pleads the Fifth, dangling potential info on Trump and others for a pardon.
  • "She basically told the committee she knows other rich and powerful people who raped underage girls, but she's not gonna share that and she's gonna plead the Fifth unless she's granted clemency." (14:02)
• Survivors Hold the Keys:
  • Much information remains only in victims' accounts. Khanna and Massie signal willingness to ‘break the glass’ and release such names if stonewalling continues.
• No High-Ranking Officials Named Yet:
  • Khanna has not personally seen unreleased files implicating current government officials, but survivors assert otherwise.
• GOP Frustration with Bondi/Trump:
  • Internal Republican anger grows as Bondi, seen as Trump's ‘appendage’, sabotages transparency and betrays base promises.
  • "More and more people are realizing that this is Trump protecting pedophiles and betraying his central promise." (19:09)
• Testimony & Precedent:
  • Bill and Hillary Clinton’s willingness to testify publicly may set a standard others (including Trump) will have to face.
  • "Until there’s a moral reckoning and a clearing of this [Epstein] class… we aren’t going to restore the Democratic project." (22:36)

4. Election Interference and Federal Overreach — Interview with Ari Berman

[25:36–40:18]

Key Points:

• Federal Agencies as Political Tools:
  • Trump leverages DOJ, FBI, and ICE to intimidate and manipulate elections, including seizure of ballots and threatening states with voting roll purges.
  • "When you have ICE terrorizing blue states and blue cities, when you have the FBI raiding and getting 600, 700 boxes of ballots… this is already something that could lead people to choose not to vote." — Ari Berman (26:15)
• Prediction for 2026:
  • Berman sees a “coordinated strategy” to suppress turnout and seed future justification for nullifying or overturning undesired results.
• Tulsi Gabbard’s Role:
  • As DNI, Gabbard's presence at the Georgia ballot seizure raises suggestion she is prepping a report to support foreign interference conspiracy theories, thus enabling federalized election control.
  • "Gabbard is preparing some kind of report for Trump about interference in the 2020 election… predicates for more extreme action by the administration." (32:12)
• No Internal Checks:
  • With loyalists replacing former moderating influences, there’s little to stop Trump from future anti-democratic overreach.
• Impact of ICE at Polls (Steve Bannon quote):
  • Even rumors of ICE presence can suppress turnout, especially in Latino and immigrant-heavy communities.
• Success & Danger in the Midterms:
  • Success = High turnout, ballots counted fairly. Danger = voters deterred, processes manipulated, results illegitimized.
  • “There's a real question about whether that’s going to happen this time… I don't think the American system, given where we’re at, can handle another 2020 right now.” (39:43)

5. Latino Political Realignment — Interview with Alejandro Serrano

[40:23–53:09]

Key Points:

• Evolving Latino Vote:
  • Recent Texas special election saw unprecedented swings in Hispanic-majority precincts—Taylor Remnant securing 79% of these votes.
• Causes of Shifting Support:
  • Dissatisfaction with administration immigration policy, perceived economic underperformance, and local issues intertwine.
  • “Latinos who make up the majority of the population in Texas are kind of like the power brokers who don't know it yet.” (42:28)
• Party Strategies:
  • Both parties adjusting: Texas GOP makes inroads among urban/suburban Latinos; Democrats sense opportunity in changing moods.
• Risk of ‘Dummy Mandering’:
  • Fluctuating margins may backfire on GOP redistricting attempts, possibly leading to Democratic seat gains.
  • "Democrats are definitely feeling good about the prospect that it’s a dummy mander." (44:41)
• Bad Bunny and Cultural Politics:
  • GOP attempts to polarize via the Super Bowl halftime show (Bad Bunny) and race-baiting may backfire in state with strong Latino identity.
  • "Taking like the biggest musical artist in that community and vilifying him doesn’t seem like a very sound political strategy in an election year, no less." — Brian Tyler Cohen (51:25)
• Looking Ahead:
  • Close watch on statewide Texas races, as future contests are litmus tests for Latino alignment and party strategies.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |---------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:42 | Ro Khanna | "There were six wealthy, powerful men that the DOJ hid for no apparent reason." | | 05:45 | Brian T. Cohen | "We are witnessing the biggest political cover up in US history, one that makes Watergate look like nothing at all." | | 09:04 | Ro Khanna | "You've got Lutnik still as the Commerce Secretary... and you've got all these elite big tech names, real estate names, people in Hollywood who just have their head down and are hoping that they'll escape scrutiny." | | 14:02 | Ro Khanna | "She basically told the committee she knows other rich and powerful people who raped underage girls, but she's not gonna share that and she's gonna plead the Fifth unless she's granted clemency." | | 19:09 | Ro Khanna | "More and more people are realizing that this is Trump protecting pedophiles and betraying his central promise." | | 26:15 | Ari Berman | "When you have ICE terrorizing blue states and blue cities, when you have the FBI raiding and getting 600, 700 boxes of ballots... this is already something that could lead people to choose not to vote." | | 32:12 | Ari Berman | "Gabbard is preparing some kind of report for Trump about interference in the 2020 election... predicates for more extreme action by the administration." | | 39:43 | Ari Berman | "There's a real question about whether that’s going to happen this time… I don't think the American system, given where we’re at, can handle another 2020 right now." | | 42:28 | Alejandro Serrano | "Latinos who make up the majority of the population in Texas are kind of like the power brokers who don't know it yet." | | 51:25 | Brian T. Cohen | "Taking like the biggest musical artist in that community and vilifying him doesn’t seem like a very sound political strategy in an election year, no less." |

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:59–03:58 | Host’s summary of bombshell: Co-conspirator names, DOJ cover-up, implications for the elite | | 08:22–24:17 | Interview: Ro Khanna on unredacted files, DOJ/FBI obstruction, survivor testimony | | 25:36–40:18 | Interview: Ari Berman on election interference, ICE at polls, Gabbard’s role | | 40:23–53:09 | Interview: Alejandro Serrano on Latino vote realignment, TX politics, Bad Bunny controversy|

Memorable Moments

• Ro Khanna describing a culture of impunity among elites:
  "It's time for the United States of America to have the kind of accountability for the Epstein class that we're seeing elsewhere in the world." (09:04)
• The image of survivors being the last resort for truth:
  "It's putting a huge burden on the survivors to say that… and so what Massey and I are going to do is continue to fight." — Ro Khanna (16:15)
• Berman’s concern about permanent damage to democracy:
  "I don't think the American system, given where we’re at, can handle another 2020 right now." (39:43)
• Latino voters emerging as pivotal, unpredictable force in Texas:
  "Their approach right now is kind of like we're going to fight and see what happens." — Alejandro Serrano (44:41)
• The cultural politics fail:
  "Instead of making inroads, they're taking one of the biggest Latino superstars in the world... and turning him into the enemy." — Brian Tyler Cohen (51:25)

Conclusion

Brian Tyler Cohen’s episode delivers a blistering exposé on government coverup surrounding Epstein’s co-conspirators, highlighting institutional rot, elite impunity, and the persistent work of a few lawmakers and survivors to force transparency. This is interwoven with warnings about attempted federal interference in US elections and the rising power—and unpredictability—of the Latino vote. The host, in concert with guests from Congress and top outlets, pulls no punches in sounding the alarm for accountability, vigilance, and reconstruction of public trust. The episode serves as both historical record and urgent call to action.