Podcast Summary: No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen

Episode: Trump heads into 2026 weaker than ever before

Date: December 28, 2025
Host: Brian Tyler Cohen
Guests: Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Robert Garcia, Norm Eisen

Overview

In this year-end episode, Brian Tyler Cohen explores the unprecedented political vulnerability of Donald Trump as he steps into 2026. The episode centers on two major stories: Trump’s eroding power in the wake of scandals surrounding his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and his defeat at the U.S. Supreme Court over renaming the Kennedy Center. Interviews with Congressman Ro Khanna, Congressman Robert Garcia, and legal expert Norm Eisen offer insider perspectives on these developments and what they signal for the future of American politics.

Main Discussion Themes

• Trump’s Waning Power: The show opens with an in-depth monologue by Cohen about Trump’s increasing isolation, declining approval ratings (now at 36%), and loss of influence within the GOP, especially in matters such as redistricting and legislative control.
• Epstein Files Fallout: Both Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia address the failure of the Trump administration to fully release the Epstein files, as mandated by the Epstein Transparency Act – a law Trump previously championed.
• Congressional and Legal Accountability Efforts: The episode highlights bipartisan efforts to hold top DOJ officials like Pam Bondi accountable, including prospects for impeachment and forthcoming legal action.
• Trump's Unlawful Attempt to Rename the Kennedy Center: Norm Eisen discusses his successful lawsuit halting Trump's attempted self-aggrandizement by renaming a national landmark, embodying a broader legal pushback against Trump’s overreach.

Key Segments, Insights, and Quotes

1. Trump’s Weakening Grip and the Epstein Scandal

(00:01 – 06:31)

• Cohen’s Monologue:

  • Trump’s longtime tactic of deflection collapses under the weight of the Epstein files, which threaten to expose connections within his own circle.
  • Trump posts defensive rants on Truth Social, attempting to redirect blame to Democrats and calling the investigation a “witch hunt.”

• Quote:

  “I don’t know how much more on the nose it gets than Trump literally just demanding that nothing else incriminating come out about Republicans.”
  – Brian Tyler Cohen (04:00)

• Trump's power wanes:

  • “We’re seeing a record number of discharge petitions pass...including one just last week, which forced a vote on the ACA subsidy extension that passed, which means it comes up for a full vote first week of January. And that was despite Trump’s best efforts to kill those subsidies and to kill Obamacare.” (05:45)

2. Interview with Rep. Ro Khanna: Epstein Transparency & DOJ Defiance

(06:31 – 19:07)

• On DOJ's Failure to Disclose:
  • "Disappointment. It's sadness...It's about survivors...They were so looking forward to this day...Documents totally redacted. None of the key things actually released." (06:46)
• On Legal Violations:
  • Khanna announces drafting articles of impeachment against DOJ officials Pam Bondi and Blanchard for failing to comply with the law:

    “Massie and I are ready. We’re drafting articles of impeachment as we speak about Pam Bondi and Blanchard.” (07:39)

• On DOJ's Redaction Excuse:
  • “How can they make up this brand-new standard that already unto itself violates the spirit of this thing, but also violates the direct letter of this law?” (09:35)
• On the Broader Stakes:
  • "They are not trying to be transparent. They are protecting someone. They are protecting rich and influential people who were friends with the president or know the president or have some hold on our government...This story is not going away." (08:54)
• Perspective on Pardons:
  • "This is why I'm for a constitutional amendment to abolish the pardon power. I believe it's been most abused by Trump..." (16:06)

3. Interview with Rep. Robert Garcia: Legal and Political Avenues

(20:30 – 32:10)

• On Failure to Release Epstein Files:
  • “We’ve actually been anticipating this action for many weeks now. I mean, it's been clear that they've been trying to lead a cover up at the Trump administration at the DOJ now for months.” (20:46)
• Pressure Tactics:
  • Legal strategy involves both courts and public opinion, as well as direct action against specific officials like Pam Bondi:

    “There can be action taken against Pam Bondi directly, against other people in the FBI and DOJ leadership directly...All these folks need to understand that we’re going to push hard to hold them accountable...” (22:20)

• On Trump Pardons:
  • “The Trump pardons are a real thing...He’ll pardon just about anybody we know, including, I’m sure, his own administration, which is involved right now in massive corruption.” (23:42)
• On the Coverup:
  • “If you have nothing to hide, then release all the files...The issue right now is the cover up. They're clearly involved in illegal activity as it relates to this moment...” (25:58)
• Ghislaine Maxwell Transfer:
  • “We’re not idiots and the American public is not stupid. They clearly, clearly there’s a motive here...We want the truth.” (27:35 & 31:38)
• On Bipartisan Accountability:
  • “Anybody in the files, left, right or center, if they've done something wrong, they should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, 100%.” (31:47 – 31:58)

4. Interview with Norm Eisen: Legal Blow to Trump’s Self-promotion

(33:45 – 46:23)

• Kennedy Center Lawsuit:
  • Eisen details winning a suit to block Trump’s illegal renaming of the Kennedy Center:

    “The statute is very specific...It's no small thing for Donald Trump, yet again, to disregard the will of Congress...It feels very similar to the destruction of the East Wing of the White House. It's an act of desecration.” (35:27)

• On Forcing Trump to Obey the Law:
  • “Because we have made him follow the law again and again and again in our cases, even when he doesn’t want to.” (37:56)
  • Lists successful past litigation against Trump abuses (birthright citizenship, US Attorneys, Voice of America).
• On the Precedent and Standing:
  • “Congress has given the trustees the power [to enforce the Kennedy Center statute]...It's by one of those congressional trustees.” (41:42)
• Wider Implications:
  • “We’ve never seen anything like Donald Trump’s illegality, but we’ve also never seen anything like the democracy movement's pushback.” (44:25)
• Call to Action and Transparency:
  • “That's why we need you and the rest of independent media…” (45:40)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Trump’s Holiday Social Posts & Desperation: 02:00 – 06:00
• Ro Khanna on Drafting Impeachment for DOJ Failure: 07:10 – 09:35
• Discussion of Broader DOJ Accountability: 12:01 – 17:47
• Robert Garcia on Legal Action & Trump’s Motives: 20:46 – 25:58
• Insight on Ghislaine Maxwell's Prison Transfer: 27:05 – 29:35
• Bipartisan Calls for Accountability: 31:14 – 31:58
• Norm Eisen on Winning against Trump's Kennedy Center Move: 33:45 – 41:30
• Reflection on Broader Legal Strategies: 43:01 – 44:25

Highlights and Memorable Quotes

• “They are protecting rich and influential people who were friends with the president or know the president or have some hold on our government.”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna (08:54)

• “If you have nothing to hide, then release all the files...We just want the truth.”
  — Rep. Robert Garcia (25:58 & 31:38)

• “It feels very similar to the destruction of the East Wing of the White House. It’s an act of desecration. It’s an act of self-aggrandizement, and it’s wrong.”
  — Norm Eisen (35:27)

Tone

• The mood is urgent, defiant, and determined, with both hosts and guests emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and the end of impunity for those in power.
• Bipartisan efforts and survivor advocacy are recurring themes, stressing unity against government overreach regardless of party.
• The episode possesses Cohen’s trademark blend of wit, journalistic rigor, and pointed critique of hypocrisy in political leadership.

Conclusion

This episode of "No Lie" stands out for its unvarnished look at the unraveling of Trump’s political dominance amid legal and political setbacks. With exclusive, well-timed interviews and robust examination of institutional accountability, Cohen and his guests lay bare a political landscape in flux, underscoring both challenges and renewed hope for democracy and justice in 2026 and beyond.