Podcast Summary: "Thoughts on the Epstein Cover Up w/ Scott Horton"

Podcast Information

• Title: Part Of The Problem
• Host: GaS Digital Network (Dave Smith)
• Guest: Scott Horton
• Episode Release Date: July 10, 2025

Introduction and Guest Background

In this episode of "Part Of The Problem," host Dave Smith welcomes returning guest Scott Horton for an in-depth discussion on the Epstein cover-up, U.S. foreign policy, and broader political implications. Scott Horton, renowned for his expertise in foreign policy and libertarian perspectives, shares his insights and experiences, including his recent high-profile appearance on the Tucker Carlson Show.

Scott Horton's Appearance on Tucker Carlson Show

Dave opens the conversation by praising Scott's recent interview on the Tucker Carlson Show, highlighting its impact and wide reach.

Dave Smith [00:35]: "It really was pretty incredible to watch that. So what's it been like for you? From what I've seen, the feedback has just been like universally great from everything I've seen. What was the experience like for you and how do you feel about it?"

Scott recounts the preparation and execution of his interview, emphasizing the collaborative environment that allowed him to present his views comprehensively.

Scott Horton [03:26]: "He just gave me room to, to give the same speech I've given a bunch of times. And then I just had to try very hard to not screw it up and leave anything important out."

U.S. Foreign Policy and Iran's Influence

The discussion transitions to U.S. foreign policy, specifically focusing on Iran's role in regional conflicts. Scott critiques the historical and ongoing support of Iran-backed groups, arguing that U.S. interventions have often exacerbated tensions.

Scott Horton [06:41]: "I really should have emphasized the Steelman argument of, like, look, Iran's role in the region is not benign."

He delves into the complexities of Hezbollah's origins, attributing its formation to Israeli actions and U.S. policies rather than purely Iranian influence.

Scott Horton [06:42]: "Gerald Cooper is the real expert on how it was, because Ariel Sharon was doing all these truck bombings... and that this was all part of the lead up to the creation of Hezbollah."

The EFP Hoax in Iraq War II

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFP) controversy during the Iraq War II. Scott argues that the narrative blaming Iran for EFP attacks against U.S. soldiers was fabricated.

Dave Smith [10:58]: "But that's the great evil."

Scott Horton [12:47]: "They are the great evil."

Scott provides evidence from his book, citing sources who assert that EFPs were manufactured by local Iraqi Shiites without Iranian involvement. He accuses key U.S. figures of perpetuating false narratives to justify continued military engagement.

Scott Horton [09:27]: "The propaganda campaign was to just pretend that every single one of those bombs came from Iran... it was simply a conspiracy between Vice President Cheney, General David Petraeus, and Michael Gordon of the New York Times."

Operation Desert Storm and Propaganda Techniques

Dave and Scott draw parallels between the EFP controversy and earlier U.S. interventions, such as Operation Desert Storm. They discuss how focus group testing and propaganda were employed to garner public support for wars that did not align with genuine threats.

Scott Horton [24:15]: "They had focus group testing and they found that when they mentioned the potential of a nuclear weapons threat from Iraq... the people turn the dial hard to the right."

Dave Smith [25:05]: "It's like we're going to attack Saddam over nuclear threats that didn't exist."

Jeffrey Epstein Cover-Up and Political Ramifications

The core of the episode revolves around the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Dave expresses concern over the political fallout and the apparent lack of accountability among high-profile figures. He criticizes the mainstream narrative and highlights the inconsistency in addressing Epstein's crimes.

Dave Smith [47:45]: "This is a very clear blow for Donald Trump because it's not just a broken campaign promise. It's breaking Donald Trump's political raison d'etre."

Scott echoes these sentiments, linking Epstein’s case to broader issues of intelligence agency complicity and foreign influence.

Scott Horton [48:04]: "This guy was allowed to get away with it because his job was compromising American citizens to serve the interests of this enemy foreign country."

Critique of Russiagate and Mainstream Media Narratives

The conversation shifts to debunking the Russiagate conspiracy, with both hosts questioning the legitimacy of the claims and the media's role in perpetuating misinformation.

Scott Horton [62:59]: "It's all, well, it was Prigozan, the same guy that ended up being the mercenary leader who ran that troll farm... it was all just a bunch of steam. There's nothing to it at all."

Dave Smith [61:04]: "It's just so goofy. And of course we know, right? We know that there was nothing significant."

They emphasize the lack of substantial evidence linking Trump to Russian interference and criticize the media's relentless pursuit of unfounded allegations.

Call to Action and Closing Remarks

In the closing segment, Dave urges listeners to hold accountable those involved in the Epstein cover-up and related conspiracies. He promotes upcoming events and Scott Horton's projects, encouraging continued scrutiny of the political establishment.

Dave Smith [68:17]: "Donald Trump, please... Please put John Brennan and James Comey in jail. Please don't launch aggressive wars on behalf of foreign countries."

Scott Horton [69:29]: "Sounds completely reasonable to me, Dave."

Dave thanks Scott for his contributions and engages listeners to stay informed and active in seeking truth.

Notable Quotes

• Scott Horton [03:26]: "He just gave me room to, to give the same speech I've given a bunch of times."
• Scott Horton [06:41]: "I really should have emphasized the Steelman argument of, like, look, Iran's role in the region is not benign."
• Dave Smith [10:58]: "But that's the great evil."
• Scott Horton [09:27]: "It was simply a conspiracy between Vice President Cheney, General David Petraeus, and Michael Gordon of the New York Times."
• Dave Smith [61:04]: "It's just so goofy. And of course we know, right?"

Conclusion

"Thoughts on the Epstein Cover Up w/ Scott Horton" offers a critical examination of U.S. foreign policy, media narratives, and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Through detailed analysis and evidence-based arguments, Dave Smith and Scott Horton challenge mainstream perspectives, urging listeners to seek the truth behind political and intelligence-driven cover-ups.