Tangle Podcast: “The Latest Epstein Files”

Host: Isaac Saul
Date: December 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Tangle dives into the latest release of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. With new files published under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Isaac and the Tangle crew examine what’s been made public, what remains obscured, and how partisans on both sides are reacting to the DOJ’s handling of the disclosures. The hosts discuss the implications for major public figures, the frustrations with heavy redactions, and what we’re learning—if anything—about how Epstein operated for so long.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context for the Epstein Files Release

[07:17] John Law

• On Friday, December 19, DOJ released a trove of documents and materials (photographs, handwritten notes, evidence, and transcripts) related to the Epstein investigation.
• The release followed the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires the DOJ to make public all unclassified materials related to Epstein—with some exceptions for protecting victims and ongoing investigations.
• The release has been controversial: Heavy redactions, removed files, late additions, and pressure from bipartisan lawmakers who threaten contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi for incomplete compliance.
  • “Lawmakers from both parties immediately raised concerns about significant redactions and omissions from this batch.” – John Law (07:17)
• Notable content:
  • Photos of Bill Clinton and other public figures with Epstein (but not showing illegal conduct).
  • Transcripts from interviews, notably with Ghislaine Maxwell and DOJ officials.
  • 1996 complaint from Maria Farmer to the FBI about Epstein’s interest in child pornography, which the agency reportedly ignored for a decade.

2. What the Left is Saying

[12:06] John Law

• General sentiment: Criticism of the DOJ for making files hard to navigate and (possibly) downplaying connections between Trump and Epstein.
• Chaz Danner, New York Magazine:
  • Describes the release as “a mess” due to a dysfunctional search function, lack of context, and pervasive redactions.
    • “If you do want to actually scan through what the DOJ has released, you’ll need to click on specific court cases and then select PDFs named only with numbers. There’s virtually no context.” (12:24)
• Sam Levine, The Guardian:
  • Suggests the “trickle release” on a Friday night is meant to bury negative info—especially pictures involving Trump.
  • Notes the files released few mentions of Trump, despite DOJ previously telling Trump his name appears in the files.
  • “Other than a few pictures, the materials made no mention of Trump, even though Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly told Trump earlier this year his name was in the files.” (13:31)
• Ankush Khardori, Politico:
  • Warns listeners not to conflate criminal liability with embarrassing associations.
    • “You may detest former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers or find his behavior sleazy, but there is no reason to believe that he engaged in criminal misconduct…” (14:29)
  • Urges caution against “guilt by association.” (14:39)

3. What the Right is Saying

[14:59] John Law

• General sentiment: The left’s focus on Trump’s alleged connections to Epstein is unfounded; association is not evidence of wrongdoing.
• Byron York, Washington Examiner:
  • Criticizes Democrats for constantly trying to tie Trump to Epstein.
    • “To an extraordinary degree, Democrats have based their opposition to Trump on the hope that somehow, somewhere, they will find evidence of Trump involved in improper behavior…” (15:13)
  • Claims most significant material is likely already public; sees little chance of future bombshells.
• Matt Margolis, PJ Media:
  • States the DOJ’s document dump predictably triggered online frenzy (“a parade of famous faces”), but reiterates that photos are not proof of crimes.
    • “Each image comes with the same caveat, that appearing in a photo does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.” (16:06)
• Eli Lake, Free Press:
  • Points out that while only one photo of Trump has surfaced, there’s more obvious exposure for figures like Clinton and Steve Bannon.
  • Emphasizes that none of the files so far prove Epstein ran a blackmail ring targeting elites (17:08)
    • “The release has fed another round of innuendo while eroding long-standing rules to keep the politics of personal destruction far away from our justice system.” (17:28)

4. Isaac Saul’s Take

[20:02] Isaac Saul

Main Insights:

• There is little chance the files will supply a “smoking gun” against Trump, Clinton, or other famous figures.
  • “Anyone waiting for a smoking gun to imprison Donald Trump or Bill Clinton or some other big name is likely to be disappointed.” (20:05)
• The files are gradually providing more detail about how Epstein operated and evaded justice for so long, especially the failures of law enforcement:
  • Cites Maria Farmer’s 1996 FBI report—now corroborated in the files—which was ignored for years despite her accusations (including of Epstein stealing nude photos of minors, and his threats against her).
    • “Yet the Epstein files release shows the FBI received and filed the report and never did anything about it.” (20:55)
• DOJ’s conduct under scrutiny:
  • Mentions the redaction of Trump’s name from a document that had been originally released unredacted (in 2024), and the temporary removal of files—raising questions about transparency and possible political shielding.
    • “In one blatant example, Trump’s name is redacted from a damning and explicit part of the files… Yet this time the DOJ redacted it.” (22:31)
• New York Times reporting on Epstein’s finances supports the idea that fraud and manipulation—rather than spycraft—explain his wealth and networking success.
  • “The Times reporting offers new light: ruthless cons, cunning schemes, and a lot of young, beautiful women used as leverage.” (23:33)
• Victims are left unsatisfied and want more decisive action, but drip-drip disclosures are likely to continue.
  • “Far more likely is what we’ve gotten so far… hundreds of intrepid reporters and Internet sleuths trying to put together the pieces after the fact.” (25:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DOJ Process:
  • “Trump isn’t the only term that fails to return any search results. No term does.” —Chaz Danner (12:18)
• On Public Reaction:
  • “The release underscores how the Trump administration is trying to balance both the demand to release the files... while also obfuscating with a slow trickle of document dumps...” —Sam Levine (13:47)
• On Partisan Motives:
  • “For decades, Democrats tried to take innocuous photos of Trump and portray them as smoking guns, even though they weren’t.” —Matt Margolis (16:31)
• On Systemic Failure:
  • “The FBI never responded to the report about the photos, and no evidence of any such report was ever produced... Yet the Epstein files release shows the FBI received and filed the report and never did anything about it.” —Isaac Saul (20:52)
• On the Reality of ‘Bombshells’:
  • “Anyone waiting for a smoking gun to imprison Donald Trump or Bill Clinton or some other big name is likely to be disappointed... more questions about Jeffrey Epstein are getting answers.” —Isaac Saul (20:05 & 20:09)

Important Timestamps

• [07:17] — John Law provides context and at-a-glance summary of the document release and law.
• [12:06 - 14:59] — What the left and right media/opinion writers are saying about the files and their political implications.
• [20:02 - 26:00] — Isaac Saul’s in-depth reflection, emphasizing the larger lessons and ongoing transparency issues.

Summary

The latest Epstein files release, under the new transparency law, has yielded a substantial but heavily redacted batch of documents. Both left and right-leaning commentators criticize the DOJ, albeit for different reasons—some seeing obfuscation to protect Trump, others chastising Democrats for overreaching with guilt-by-association arguments. The recurring theme: little evidence of criminal wrongdoing by major political names so far, growing frustration with the pace and completeness of disclosures, and mounting public skepticism about accountability.

Isaac Saul highlights disturbing missed warnings by law enforcement, DOJ’s questionable redaction choices, and the unsatisfying pace of “truth and sunlight.” Concrete revelations about how Epstein maintained his network have begun to emerge, lessening the ground for wild speculation but deepening the story of institutional failure. Ultimately, listeners are left with a story as unresolved as it is dramatic: slow, piecemeal transparency, and more questions than answers.