No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen

Episode: Trump screws himself after Supreme Court ruling
Date: February 22, 2026
Host: Brian Tyler Cohen
Guests: Rep. Jared Moskowitz, Tommy Vietor, Sen. Amy Klobuchar

Overview

This episode of No Lie explores the political fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Donald Trump’s tariffs as unconstitutional. Instead of accepting what many saw as a face-saving “out,” Trump doubled down, pledging even harsher, more unpopular tariffs. Brian Tyler Cohen breaks down the implications for Trump, the GOP, and the country ahead of the 2026 midterms—and provides analysis through interviews with Rep. Jared Moskowitz, Pod Save America’s Tommy Vietor, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar. The episode also delves into the new developments in the Jeffrey Epstein files, discussion of government transparency on UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena), and a humorous riff on Brian’s viral "aliens are real" exchange with Barack Obama.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Trump’s Tariffs & the Supreme Court Ruling

[00:50–06:01]

• The Supreme Court ruled Trump’s tariffs unconstitutional, effectively granting him an opportunity to abandon a damaging and unpopular policy.

• Rather than move on, Trump announced plans to reimpose global tariffs—first 10%, later 15%.

• Cohen critiques Trump’s pattern of prioritizing his own ego and refusing to accept even advantageous outs:

  “Trump had in his hand the perfect out—a way to bail on his disastrous tariff policy... So what did Trump do? None of that.” (B, 01:35)

• The GOP is now forced into a bind: disavow Trump’s tariffs and risk his wrath (and a primary), or support deeply unpopular policy and risk general election defeat.

• Cohen highlights the irony of Trump attacking the same Supreme Court that had gone to great lengths to support him on other legal matters.

2. Interview: Rep. Jared Moskowitz on Tariffs and UAPs

[06:01–21:26]

Trump’s Continued Tariff Gambit

[06:01–11:58]

• Moskowitz outlines the fleeting relief the GOP received from the Supreme Court’s ruling, describing the “gift” as lasting only “five minutes” before Trump undercut it by recommitting to tariffs (C, 08:39).
• Mosokowitz details the complex legislative nuances, such as Trump’s attempt to invoke Section 122 to impose tariffs for 150 days before Congressional approval would be needed (C, 06:30).
• Both Cohen and Moskowitz mock Trump’s attacks on Republican-appointed justices and his unstable leadership:

  "He's really great at handling bad news. Right. He's always excelled in that..." (C, 06:57)

GOP Dilemma

• Republicans are now stuck—either break with Trump and risk a primary, or back the tariffs and anger constituents.

The Aliens/UAPs Discussion

[12:23–21:26]

• Cohen and Moskowitz riff humorously on the viral moment when Barack Obama discussed UAPs with Brian.

• Moskowitz discloses that, as a Congressional oversight member:

  • Credible military and government witnesses have attested to unexplainable aerial phenomena (C, 15:40).
  • U.S., Russian, and Chinese governments all run crash retrieval programs; there are indications Congress is being kept in the dark (C, 17:30–19:50).
  • “If there’s nothing there, why are people in the government trying to stop the language [about disclosure]?” (C, 19:50)

• Anticipated bipartisan Congressional press conference on UAP disclosure efforts.

3. Interview: Tommy Vietor on the Epstein Files & Government Accountability

[23:05–43:13]

Arrest of (formerly Prince) Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

[23:05–24:37]

• Vietor and Cohen note that while British law takes decisive action (Andrew’s arrest for misconduct in public office), U.S. authorities seem intent on suppressing the Epstein files and protecting Trump’s circle.

Accountability Gaps in the U.S.

[24:37–29:17]

• Cohen and Vietor discuss impunity among top Trump administration officials (Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Todd Blanche) and the persistent hiding of crucial Epstein file information.
• Ted Lieu highlights on the House floor that Trump is personally implicated in “thousands and thousands” of references within the files, with allegations of sexual violence against minors (D, 28:03).

DOJ Obstruction and Victim Rejection

[30:01–32:00]

• At a House oversight hearing, Rep. Dan Goldman reveals that not a single survivor or victim of Epstein’s crimes has been heard or provided evidence to DOJ:

  “All of them [survivors] have reached out... All of them were denied or ignored by the Department of Justice.” (E, 30:36–31:19)

• Vietor and Cohen draw parallels to infamous historical examples of corporate denial and government callousness, emphasizing the cynical priorities of the Trump administration.

Broader Fall-Out

• Many former Trump loyalists (even far-right podcasters and politicians) break with the administration due to its handling of Epstein files.
• Vietor:

  “...Trump and Epstein were best friends... He is their biggest defender. He is keeping them out of jail. He is taking their bribes to build his little ballrooms and then protecting them legislatively.” (D, 35:28–35:58)

4. “Aliens are Real?”: Obama’s Viral Comment & Response

[36:05–43:08]

• Cohen revisits his viral interview moment asking Obama about aliens:

  “Are aliens real?”
  Obama: “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them. And they’re not being kept in... Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the President of the United States.” (B & D, 36:17–36:35)

• Trump, in a subsequent presser, accuses Obama of declassifying state secrets by answering Brian’s question, adding a layer of absurdity.

  “He gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that. He made a big mistake.” (G, 37:37)
  “No, I don’t have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do.” (G, 37:42)

• Vietor dismisses the controversy, crediting Obama’s answer as non-revelatory and poking fun at those taking the exchange too literally.

• Cohen and Vietor highlight the role of ambiguity in fueling “the discourse,” noting letting the question linger spurred more conversation.

5. Interview: Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Tariffs, Republicans, and Running for Governor

[43:40–51:57]

Tariffs and the GOP Trap

[43:42–48:33]

• Klobuchar unpacks the Supreme Court’s decision: certain tariffs (“232” and “301,” per national security or trade agreement violation) are still legal, but Trump can no longer use the “IPA statute” for broad tariffs.

• Trump plans to use Section 122 to reimpose a 10% tariff for 150 days (pending Congressional approval thereafter):

  “That 232... is about like national security interests... The second one is this 301, which is about violations of tariff agreements. Those will still stand... But again he’s overused them.” (F, 44:19)

• Klobuchar argues that Trump is sticking the GOP with a disastrous policy just as midterms approach, even as public polling shows deep disapproval.

• Republicans are trapped—risk alienating Trump (and getting primaried), or alienating voters hurt by high prices.

Klobuchar’s Gubernatorial Run & Vision

[48:33–51:57]

• Citing a spate of traumatic events in Minnesota, Klobuchar emphasizes a message of hope, centering her campaign on practical progress, cross-partisan cooperation, and tackling everyday costs (housing, healthcare, childcare):

  “If I can pass a bill with Ted Cruz while Donald Trump is in office, I can do some pretty good things for our state.” (F, 49:20)

• Concludes with a call to optimism, and a vision of Minnesota leading by example.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Supreme Court “gift”:

  “Trump had in his hand the perfect out... So what did Trump do? None of that.” (B, 01:35)

• On Trump’s character:

  “I've sat with multiple people from the military...these are reputable people who said, I saw it. It defied gravity. It didn't move in ways that we can possibly understand.” (C, 15:40)

• On DOJ obstruction with Epstein victims:

  “How is it possible that they have not met with those individuals, that they've not heard them out, that they've not taken testimony? I mean, these are serious crimes that we're talking about.” (D, 31:36)

• On the fallout for loyalists:

  “...a trail of broken relationships, broken promises and one-way street loyalty...only for him to throw them under the bus the moment they lose their usefulness.” (B, 11:29)

• On Obama’s answer about aliens:

  “That was Obama confirming his belief that aliens are real, but not offering any proof as to the government knowing anything about it.” (B, 36:41)

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 01:35 – Cohen’s breakdown of the Supreme Court “out” for Trump
• 06:30 – Moskowitz explains Trump’s Section 122 tariff plan
• 15:40 – Moskowitz on credible military witnesses to UAPs
• 28:03 – Ted Lieu exposes Trump’s repeated presence in Epstein files
• 30:36–31:19 – Rep. Goldman documents DOJ’s neglect of Epstein survivors
• 36:17 – The "are aliens real?" exchange with Obama
• 44:19 – Klobuchar explains the surviving bases for limited tariffs
• 49:20 – Klobuchar on pragmatic bipartisan lawmaking

Tone & Style

Brian Tyler Cohen’s signature mix of sarcasm, exasperation, and urgency pervades the episode, but he grounds even the most absurd political developments in substantive analysis. Guests echo this blend of candor and wit, especially in their takedowns of Trump’s “ego over policy” approach and the administration’s cynicism regarding both tariffs and the suppression of the Epstein files.

Conclusion

This episode stands out for its incisive breakdown of the GOP’s new political trap, the administration's mishandling of both economic and legal controversies, and the ongoing lack of government transparency. By the end, listeners get a compelling snapshot of a party—and a country—caught between self-inflicted wounds and mounting demands for accountability.