Pod Save America Episode 1116: "Epstein Files: Worse Than You Thought"

Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor
Special Interview: Bobby Pulido (Tejano musician, congressional candidate)

Episode Overview

This explosive episode centers on the long-awaited Department of Justice release of 3 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, exposing the disturbing depth and breadth of his connections to the global elite. The hosts dissect the revelations, the implications for public trust and accountability, and the ethical disasters caused by the document dump. Other major topics include stunning new Trump corruption stories, ICE’s ongoing abuses, justice system erosion, and a notable Democratic special election win in Texas. The episode closes with an engaging interview with musician-turned-candidate Bobby Pulido.

The Epstein Files: Revelations, Fallout, and Elite Corruption

[04:30–21:00]

Key Discussion Points

• Release Details: The DOJ finally released a massive dump of Epstein files, containing explicit images and victims’ identifiable information due to poor redaction, highlighting systemic procedural failures.
• Global Cabal: The documents show close ties between Epstein and powerful figures like Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Peter Thiel, Sergey Brin, Bill Gates, Prince Andrew, Donald Trump (his name appears 5,000+ times), Steve Bannon, and high-profile NFL owners.
• Extent of Abuse: Clear evidence of trafficking and complicity among elites.
  • Tommy Vietor: “The clear evidence of trafficking that’s in these files is stunning. It’s like QAnon was right. They just looked the wrong direction…It’s mind-boggling.” [06:25]
  • Steve Bannon’s deep involvement and Epstein’s assistance in funding Bannon’s ventures are highlighted.
• Procedural Disaster: The dump was careless, risking harm to victims, spreading misinformation, and smearing unrelated individuals.
  • Jon Lovett: “There’s tons of mistakes throughout this…You will find an email where the names are redacted every place except one. But if you missed one, well, didn't matter that you redacted the other ones.” [09:28]
• Sociology of Influence & Denial: The hosts discuss how the presence of “venerable” elites around Epstein created a cloud of denial and undermined due diligence, citing medical influencer Peter Attia’s statement as an example.
• Acosta’s Sweetheart Deal: The infamous non-prosecution agreement is called the "original sin" enabling Epstein’s return to elite society, with the unreleased draft indictment highlighted as critical reading.
• Need for Public Hearings: Hosts urge Congressional hearings and further DOJ transparency—not just on the perpetrators, but the entire system that enabled Epstein.
  • Jon Lovett: “…we need to have, like, public hearings about this…force them to speak in front of the country about what happened.” [15:45]
  • The DOJ is still violating the law by withholding key internal deliberations as required by Congress’s Epstein Act.

Notable Quotes

• Tommy Vietor: “Like QAnon was right. They just looked the wrong direction.” [06:26]
• Jon Lovett: “It’s too many people for ‘cabal’, Jon. I think it’s fully fledged a ring…And it’s why, like, why around this man, what was the pull that this man had?” [10:28]
• Jon Favreau: “The entire culture around him can make someone think, like, I’m not gonna do my due diligence on this guy because, you know, it must have just been a little mishap.” [12:33]

Segment Timestamps

• [04:30] DOJ's chaotic Epstein file dump
• [06:25] Tommy: The scale of the revelations & elite complicity
• [09:28] Lovett: Failure of proper redactions, harm to innocent parties
• [10:28] The social structure of Epstein’s circle
• [11:51] Elite enablers and Attia case
• [13:28] How image management perpetuated Epstein’s power
• [15:45] The case for public hearings

Trump Era Corruption: Fresh Disclosures & Systemic Rot

[22:44–34:15]

Key Discussion Points

• UAE/Trump Crypto Bribery: Wall Street Journal uncovers a $500M purchase of Trump’s family crypto company by an Abu Dhabi royal days before Trump’s inauguration, leading to the UAE obtaining restricted AI chips—profound corruption with national security implications.
  • Tommy Vietor: “It’s corruption like nothing we’ve ever seen in this country. And it’s like a one-day story.” [26:13]
• Impeachment as Only Remedy: The Supreme Court shields “official acts,” so impeachment is the only recourse—but with GOP complicity, accountability is moot.
• Lawsuits for Profit: Trump sues the IRS for $10B over tax return leaks, openly musing about “settling with himself”—in total conflict of interest.
  • Donald Trump: “I have to work out a settlement with myself. I think what we’ll do is do something for charity.” [32:25]
• Host Frustration: The normalization of extreme corruption is lamented, with hosts calling for Democrats to make anti-corruption reform a campaign centerpiece.

Notable Quotes

• Jon Favreau: “You can't write something this outrageously corrupt...It’s like a Middle Eastern autocrat…for half a billion dollars for the president. Like, what?” [29:26]
• Jon Lovett: “Impeachment is the mechanism or any kind of accountability. And because that is impossible, we are kind of through that. And now Trump can do anything. Anything. There’s nothing they can’t look past because they’ve looked past so much already.” [28:53]

Segment Timestamps

• [22:44] WSJ reports on UAE buying Trump’s crypto firm, chip deal
• [26:13] The scale of corruption, calling for impeachment
• [32:25] Trump jokes about settling lawsuits with himself

Erosion of Justice and ICE Abuses

[50:58–61:07]

Key Discussion Points

• ICE/Paramilitary Violence: Trump refuses to “de-escalate,” with body-worn cameras promised but abuses (including two deaths) continuing.
• Detention Cruelty: Children and infants held in squalid conditions; example: Liam Conejo Ramos, age 5, finally released after advocacy.
• DOJ Intimidation of Journalists: Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, and others arrested or harassed for covering ICE and protests. Federal judges tossed warrants, but DOJ returns via grand jury, continuing a pattern of process as punishment.
  • Jon Lovett: “We are in such a dangerous place. Pam Bondi is…just an empty shell of a human being…Nothing will stop her from being so.” [60:28]
• Collapse of Institutional Trust: Federal agents resigning, DOJ recruiting extremists online, press freedom eroding.

Notable Quotes

• Tommy Vietor: “Don Lemon might get out. A judge might toss this case. It's an obvious First Amendment violation, but the process is the punishment. It's scary, it's expensive, it's intimidating, and it's not happening in a vacuum.” [62:22]

Segment Timestamps

• [50:58] Trump's ICE crackdown and deaths in custody
• [55:01] Good news: court-ordered release of child detainee
• [60:28] DOJ targeting Don Lemon and the free press

Triumph in Texas: Democratic Special Election Win

[70:09–76:45]

Key Discussion Points

• Dem Victory in Deep Red District: Democrat Taylor Remitt wins in Texas’ 9th state Senate district—a Trump +17 area—by 14 points, a dramatic 31-point swing.
• Signs of Backlash: Hosts debate whether this is a post-Trump “doldrum” or a real electoral trend; discuss the over-gerrymandering risk for Texas Republicans, with possible implications for multiple seats.
• Republican Reaction: Trump’s dismissive response—“That’s a local Texas race. Things like that happen.” [71:32]
• Grassroots Mobilization: The win has energized Democrats and might signal shifting Latino support.

Notable Quotes

• Jon Lovett: “Is there something deeper happening? Is there an actual sort of weakness in his—not base of support—but whatever the two columns over, is that real and could it be lasting?” [72:06]

Segment Timestamps

• [70:09] Democrats’ landslide win in Texas, Trump comments
• [72:51] Analysis: hype or the start of a trend?

Interview: Bobby Pulido – Tejano Star Runs for Congress

[80:45–109:46]

Highlights

• Background: Pulido is a celebrated Tejano musician and is running for Texas’ 15th district—80% Latino, gerrymandered, and historically underserved.
• Big Election Swings: Pulido is surprised and heartened by the Democratic surge in deep red Texas, citing huge overperformance among Latinos.
• Issues that Matter:
  • Economics: Latino voters are aspirational, care about upward mobility, and are disillusioned by economic stagnation.
  • ICE Raids: Immigration enforcement is hurting the local economy by scaring off tourists, harming families, and creating labor shortages.
  • Border Politics: Biden admin’s slow pace on immigration reform hurt—delayed action led to shifting Border Patrol and local support.
  • Not Abolish ICE, But Reform: Pulido resists “abolish ICE” slogans, calling for smart reform instead, emphasizing that blame lies with the Trump administration’s directives, not just the agency.
  • Gerrymandering: The new district lines may actually backfire on GOP, as the redrawn areas are culturally familiar to Pulido and his base.
• Culture & Politics: Pulido uses music and town halls to connect with voters, differentiating himself by accessibility and transparency.
• Motivation: Running not for fame or fortune, but to be a true “voice for my people”—drawing on both his musical and political backgrounds.

Notable Quotes

• Bobby Pulido: “We don’t consider ourselves poor, we consider ourselves broke. Because tomorrow we’re going to make it.” [106:56]
• Pulido on ICE: “When you’re deporting gardeners and grandmas…and violating constitutional rights…this is not who we are. We can’t be that. And we have to call the administration out on it.” [96:18]
• Pulido on Politics: “My life has to mean more than just music...I’m just a guy with an opinion. I want to be somebody whose opinion matters.” [105:40]

Segment Timestamps

• [80:45] Introduction and Grammy stories
• [84:22] Democratic special election win reaction, Texas electoral politics
• [87:55] Aspirations of Latino voters, economics, border politics
• [94:34] Complexities of immigration enforcement, ICE under Trump
• [99:32] Gerrymandering, connecting with the community
• [104:06] From music to politics—Pulido’s motivation

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Tommy Vietor on Epstein files: “Like QAnon was right. They just looked the wrong direction.” [06:26]
• Jon Lovett, on corruption normalization: “Once you’re through the…stake, what’s the point? And I do feel like with...Republicans, they’ve looked past so much already. And like, we talked about this all the time. It’s so gobsmacking.” [28:53]
• Trump (on his own corruption): “I have to work out a settlement with myself. I think what we’ll do is do something for charity...” [32:25]
• Jon Lovett, on Democratic reform agenda: “We need to...make clear that they will, if necessary, enforce subpoenas and hold people in contempt and make them testify.” [40:00]
• Jon Favreau, on ICE abuses: "They are treating people like absolute fucking dog shit...I think 32 people died in ICE custody last year..." [59:06]
• Pulido, on his run for Congress: “My life has to mean more than just music. I want to be a voice for my people.” [105:40]

Conclusion

This episode is a damning portrait of elite impunity, government dysfunction, and a justice system under severe strain—with the hosts mixing sharp analysis, gallows humor, and earnest calls for accountability. The wins in Texas offer hope, and Bobby Pulido’s interview is an uplifting reminder of the power of committed, authentic local leadership.

For deeper dives:

• Full episode (ad-free): crooked.com/friends
• Podcast transcript requests: transcripts@crooked.com