Part Of The Problem: “Kash Patel is Pathetic”

Podcast: Part Of The Problem
Host: Dave Smith (with Robbie “The Fire” Bernstein)
Episode Date: February 5, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Dave Smith, joined by Robbie Bernstein, dissects major current events and the state of government transparency with biting libertarian skepticism. The central themes revolve around the recent releases in the Epstein files, the Trump administration’s (and particularly Kash Patel’s) handling of investigations and transparency, the responses of notable public figures like Bill and Melinda Gates, and escalating tensions with Iran. The episode is marked by Dave’s signature mix of dark humor, frustration at the political establishment, and deep dives into the news headlines most are unwilling to scrutinize.

1. Epstein Files: Developments and Fallout

General Assessment

• Dave and Rob discuss the release of new Jeffrey Epstein case files, emphasizing how the materials further validate conspiratorial suspicions:

  “It does, at least from my perspective of this, I think this is so far very vindicating for the people who took the conspiratorial view of Jeffrey Epstein.” — Dave (02:45)

• They point out that while no absolute “smoking gun” has been uncovered, the files contain a disturbing pattern of powerful people’s involvement and creepy behaviors.

Critique of Government (and Trump Administration) Inaction

• Rob laments the absence of serious investigation efforts, especially from the Trump administration, despite having sufficient information to justify them:

  “There certainly seems like enough to open an investigation, if you were interested.” — Rob (03:45)

• Dave notes proposals from people like Mike Benz to subpoena CIA records, but observes “no one from the Trump administration is leading that call.” (04:05)

• The theme: those in power—including those who campaigned as anti-corruption crusaders—are uninterested in upsetting the status quo when it comes to Epstein.

Bill & Melinda Gates Email Drama (11:50–17:00)

• The hosts reflect on an unsent Epstein email drafted to Bill Gates, indicating sexual blackmail:
  • Gates is accused of contracting an STD, giving it to his wife, and then allegedly trying to surreptitiously treat her.
  • Melinda Gates’ public response is cryptic and non-denial, adding fuel to the fire:

    “This reminds me of a terrible point in my marriage and I really don't wish to relive that part. There’s a lot of questions...those aren't my questions to answer.” — Paraphrased Melinda Gates, via Dave (10:37)

  • Bill Gates’ public answer (“I regret...every minute I spent with him, I regret and I apologize… It’s factually true I was only at dinners. I never went to the island, I never met any women...”) is deemed evasive and suspicious by both hosts.

    “I found this to be a weird answer, and also not really addressing the thing.” — Dave (12:26)

Satire, Speculation, and Conspiracy

• In signature style, Dave and Rob use humor to underscore their skepticism:

  “He’s really aging into a reptile.” — Rob on Bill Gates’ TV demeanor (12:51)

• They draw parallels with classic comedy (Seinfeld, Chappelle) to illustrate how people’s evasiveness is a telltale sign of guilt (“no one is ever that cool when accused of cheating if they're innocent”). (13:52)

2. Government Transparency: Kash Patel Under Fire

Kash Patel & the Epstein Files

• Dave turns his attention to Kash Patel’s recent TV appearances, painting him as the epitome of weak damage control in government:

  “I just cannot imagine...I've never seen anyone worse at damage control.” — Dave (23:25)

Fox News Interview Clips (24:23–45:00)

Key Clip #1 – Suicide Certainty

• Brett Baier asks Patel if he’s still convinced Epstein killed himself (24:23):
  • Patel: "Yes. 100%."
  • Dave’s response: “At least in the intelligence world...you never say 100%. You never say 100% because you don’t know anything 100%... Where is that evidence that we haven't even seen to make us 5% sure? And you're claiming 100%?” (24:45–27:07)

Key Clip #2 – “Transparency” Spin

• Patel asserts they released “everything we legally and lawfully could,” spinning the administration as “the most transparent DOJ and FBI in history” (28:25).
• Dave and Rob point out the dishonesty, noting Trump’s team tried to block the files and is now persecuting Rep. Thomas Massie (the congressman who forced the release).

  “You’re saying you released everything possible, short of revictimizing women. Well, how would releasing definitive proof he killed himself revictimize women? Explain that to me.” — Dave (30:08)

Key Clip #3 – “We Put Out All We Can (Trust Us Bro)”

• Patel claims legal restrictions prevent further release and leans on the “trust us” mantra.
  • Dave: “They're not offering us any reason why they would keep this information from us, but they're just going to continue asserting that it's 100%... It is shockingly pathetic.” (27:19)
  • Rob: “It's the classic government lie: no one's more concerned than we are.” (31:54)

Political Partisanship & Hypocrisy

• Dave ridicules the fallback excuse that prior administrations failed to act:

  “If I come into...an island and say, 'these leaders are corrupt,' and then don’t fix anything...I can’t say, 'well, those last guys didn’t get to the bottom of anything.' That’s why we don’t like them—and now you, too.” (33:36)

Notable Quote

“This is the deal...this administration said they were coming in here to drain the swamp, said they were going to get to the bottom of all these deep state criminals, and they're covering every goddamn thing up. That's it.” — Dave (45:33)

3. The Butler (“Trump Shooter”) Case & FBI Obfuscation

Clip Breakdown (38:27–45:33)

• Brett Baier presses Patel on whether the public has a “more robust picture” of the Butler shooter (the would-be Trump assassin).
  • Patel claims everything has been released “that we are legally allowed.”
  • Dave explodes at the circular logic:

    “So then you’re asking us to trust you. That’s what it means...You're asserting something, backing it up with no evidence, and asking us to believe your assertion. That would be called trust. This is literally you saying, 'trust me, bro.'” (41:47)

• Robbie zeroes in on the suspicious phrasing—Patel mentions “ongoing matters that are unrelated,” which implies connections between the shooter and intelligence agencies:
  • Rob: “What are the unrelated matters that need a mention, but it's not related? Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron...it sounds like the FBI or some intelligence agency had a tie-in with this individual.” (45:21)

Satirical Wrap-up

• Dave: “He’s got nothing. Here you are, on record last May saying we’re going to have to do a better job for the American people...almost a year later, you've given us nothing… what information do we even have?” (43:33–45:33)

4. Escalation With Iran: “Poison Pill” Negotiations

Situation Report (46:00–62:00)

• Dave summarizes the military buildup in the region and the collapse of negotiations with Iran, framing it as a repeat of last year’s “12 Day War” setup, with demands Iran can’t possibly accept:

  “The negotiations are phony at this point...Israel and the Israel lobby in America wants regime change—I have every one of them in their own words for 30 years saying, ‘I want regime change in Iran.’” — Dave (53:30)

• The US insists negotiations cover nuclear program, missiles, support for proxies, and treatment of protesters—an impossible set of demands.
• Dave and Rob both call it out as pretext for war:

  “Hey, Iran, can you make it easier for us to attack you? Can you make it so there are no costs?” — Rob (54:02)

Strategic Analysis

• Dave warns that heightened military activity risks unintended escalation (“you might get that escalation whether you’re looking for it or not”).
• He suggests Iran is justified in feeling threatened:

  “If there’s ever a time to be justified to launch a preemptive war, Iran is about as close as you could be to that...They’re being surrounded, threatened, bullied. They’ve already been attacked.” (57:54)

Broader Takeaway

• “It’s about as transparent as Cash Patel telling you he’s turned over everything he can.” — Dave, paralleling the Iran situation to the general theme of political dishonesty (54:31)

5. Memorable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• On the Gates email/STD accusation:
  “If that's not true, the starting point would be, ‘That is absolutely ridiculous. That is not true. I've never cheated on my wife. I've never had an STD…’” — Dave (14:07)

• On government stonewalling:
  “This is literally you saying, ‘trust me, bro.’” — Dave (41:47)

• On partisan double standards:
  “Nobody ever thought, 'Joe Biden's getting in there to drain the swamp, Rob. That's what the credit card company's man in Delaware was going to get in there for.’” — Dave (33:36)

• On the Iran situation:
  “If there's ever a time to be justified to launch a preemptive war, Iran is about as close as you could be to that...they're being surrounded, they're being threatened, they're being bullied. They've already been attacked.” — Dave (57:54)

• Rob’s deadpan humor on the “STD distribution crew”:
  “Who's the Benjamin Franklin of the crew? Who is giving all the STDs to the women that were getting passed around?” — Rob (21:05)

6. Final Thoughts

The episode is a blend of frustration, dark humor, political skepticism, and encouragement to resist the superficial explanations offered by those in power. Both hosts hammer at the hypocrisy and stonewalling of the Trump administration regarding the Epstein case and related scandals, highlighting that campaign promises to “drain the swamp” have devolved into the same lack of transparency and accountability as previous administrations—if not worse. The critical look at Iran concludes with a warning about sleepwalking into another war under false pretenses.

Useful Segment Timestamps

• [02:45] – Epstein files released: “vindicating” conspiratorial suspicions
• [11:50] – Analysis of Bill & Melinda Gates’ responses to Epstein files
• [24:23] – Kash Patel Fox interview: 100% sure Epstein killed himself
• [28:25] – Kash Patel touts administration “transparency”
• [38:27–45:33] – Butler shooter case; “legal” obfuscation and “trust me, bro” logic
• [46:00–62:00] – Escalation with Iran and the problem with “poison pill” negotiations

Tone & Language

Dave and Rob’s approach is sardonic, irreverent, and unsparing— witty, combative, and occasionally darkly comic. The language swings from dead-serious critique to comedic riffs, all in the libertarian spirit of skepticism toward government and entrenched power.

In Summary:
If you’re looking for a forthright, critical, and entertaining dissection of the week’s headlines—especially about the Epstein files, failed government transparency, and the Iran saga—this episode delivers a relentless barrage of evidence, satire, and unapologetic libertarian commentary.