The David Pakman Show | “Did they think it would all just go away?”

Date: February 11, 2026
Host: David Pakman

Episode Overview

In this explosive episode, David Pakman dives into the latest developments surrounding the newly unredacted Epstein files, describing bipartisan outcry from lawmakers over disturbing findings and deliberate redactions that appear to shield powerful individuals, including those tied to Donald Trump. The episode also breaks down Trump’s bizarre public statements on job cuts and tariffs, analyzes brutal new polling data for the Republicans ahead of the midterms, explores a right-wing cultural panic led by Megyn Kelly over Bad Bunny's Spanish-language Super Bowl performance, and unpacks what prediction markets suggest about Trump’s political future. Throughout, the overarching theme is the dangerous intersection of elite protectionism, government transparency, and growing public distrust.

1. Epstein Files: New Revelations & Political Ramifications

([00:00] – [20:00])

Key Points

• White House Stonewalling:
  The administration, through Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, is described by Pakman as attempting to "shut down questions" about the Epstein files, insisting it's time to "move on"—a move Pakman likens to authoritarian information control.

• Bipartisan Lawmaker Alarm:

  • Members of Congress (Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna) were granted limited but unprecedented access to unredacted DOJ Epstein files.
  • Initial reviews uncovered six previously redacted men’s names, including an American citizen, a “prominent individual”, and one reportedly tied to a foreign government.
  • Lawmakers note these redactions seemed aimed at shielding powerful men, not just protecting victims.

• Disturbing Content Hidden:

  • A referenced email involving a “foreign business figure” (described as a sultan) mentions a “torture video sent to Epstein.” Pakman underscores the scandal is not the specifics, but that “materials like this existed and were redacted…that is the scandal.”
    Quote:

    “It raises an obvious question, who benefits from these redactions? …That’s exactly what we’ve been saying all along.” — David Pakman ([02:40])

  • Congressman Jamie Raskin reports files noting victims as young as 10, even nine years old.

• Trump Connections Debunked:

  • New evidence suggests Trump’s narrative (“I kicked Epstein out of Mar a Lago”) may be false. Files allege Epstein was merely a guest, not a member, and not expelled due to Epstein’s conduct but rather a staffing dispute.

    “That entire narrative may be completely false and it would contradict so many claims of Donald Trump’s.” — David Pakman ([05:30])

• Access Limitations:
  Lawmakers only get partial access, must review files in person, with no electronics, and can only take handwritten notes—far from “unparalleled transparency.”

Memorable Moment:

• Concise summary of the stakes:

  “Who controls information when powerful people are involved…that’s how major abuse scandals historically stay buried.” — David Pakman ([07:32])

2. Elites Confronted: Howard Lutnick’s Testimony & Deflections

(Starts [08:39])

Breakdown

• Sen. Chris Van Hollen confronts Howard Lutnick over his inconsistent statements regarding contact with Epstein.
  • Lutnick repeatedly minimizes his interactions—claiming only about 10 emails and a couple of meetings over 14 years.
  • Evidence suggests otherwise: lunches on Epstein’s private island in 2012 (post-conviction), additional meetings in 2011, and an alleged dinner with Woody Allen.

Notable Exchanges

Van Hollen:
“Why do the Epstein files show you coordinating a meeting and planning a visit with Jeffrey Epstein on his private island in December 2012?” ([08:39])

Lutnick:
“Probably about 10 emails connecting me with him over a 14 year period. I did not have any relationship with him. I barely had anything to do with that person.” ([10:19])

Pakman (analysis):
“When we’re talking about a guy who’s accused of doing horrible things to kids, saying we met with Epstein with plenty of kids, it’s not really exculpatory.” ([11:27])

• Lutnick’s claim (“I will never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again” after their first meeting in 2005) is proven false by subsequent contact.

  “This single vignette of lying and deception and glad-handing elites is just one out of dozens or hundreds or even thousands…we haven’t gotten the full story on any of them.” — David Pakman ([16:04])

3. White House Response: “We’re Moving On”

([20:22] – [25:51])

Key Points

• Caroline Levitt adopts a dismissive tone:

  “We’re moving on from that. The White House is moving on.” — Caroline Levitt ([20:42])

• Deflection Tactics:

  • Levitt and the administration stand by Lutnick despite the contradictions.
  • When pressed about the possibility of a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Levitt dodges:

    “Last time we did speak about it, [Trump] said it’s not something he’s considering or thinking about.” ([24:23])

• Pakman’s Critique:

  “When White House press secretary Caroline Levitt says, we are moving on from this story…that sounds like a true propaganda minister.” ([20:42])

  • Critiques administration’s claim to target “pedophiles and rapists” while ignoring Epstein file predators.

4. Trump’s Bizarre Boasts: Jobs, Tariffs, and Economic Messaging

([27:04] – [34:00])

Trump’s Odd Claims:

• Brags about cutting “hundreds of thousands of jobs”:

  “I’ve cut hundreds of thousands of jobs, and we still have good employment numbers.” — Donald Trump ([27:04])

  • Pakman contrasts US public employment with Canada/UK and explains the MAGA worldview of “bogus” government jobs.
  • Notes the self-defeating nature of running on employment cuts.

• Tariff Policy Based on Personal Grievance:

  “We were having a big deficit…but…she was very aggressive. I didn’t really like the way she talked to us…so instead of giving her a reduction, I raised it to 39%.” — Donald Trump ([30:24])

  • Pakman: “It is madness for tariff policy…to be determined by Trump’s personal feelings…”

• Reality Disconnect on Affordability:

  • Trump claims prices are down; Pakman lampoons Trump’s unawareness of real cost of living.

  “If you said to Trump...what do you think an avocado costs? I think he would have no idea.” — David Pakman ([33:57])

5. Prediction Markets Betting on Trump’s Early Exit

([35:00] – [44:00])

Key Insights

• Platforms like Kalshee show significant bets Trump won't finish his term.

  • 19% think Trump won’t make it to 2027, 36% to 2028, 45% to the end of 2029.
  • Pakman notes: Not actual predictions, but reveal real uncertainty.
  • Two main reasons: health concerns (age, cognitive and physical health) and political turmoil (impeachment, scandals).
  • Pakman’s View: Realistically, only death or severe medical incapacity are plausible removal mechanisms—there’s not enough support for impeachment or 25th Amendment removal.

  “People with strong narcissistic, egomaniacal traits like Trump are not going to voluntarily give up power.” — David Pakman ([41:12])

• Broader Consequence:

  • The real story is that global and domestic actors are modeling scenarios of instability, which itself drives more volatility.

6. Epstein Scandal: The War of Narratives & Fallout for Elites

([44:50] – [49:33])

Fox News Panel: Elite vs. Partisan Scandal

• Jessica Tarlov (Fox’s token liberal):
  Describes Epstein as an “elite problem,” not purely partisan, warning it’s dangerous for Trump if framed as elite protectionism.

  “I'm not making this partisan. I'm saying it is an elite problem…Jon Ossoff is now calling it the Epstein class.” — Jessica Tarlov ([45:17])

• Greg Gutfeld & Megyn Kelly’s Deflections:

  • Gutfeld pivots to “whataboutism,” saying the Clintons "have the biggest problem here," rather than addressing Trump ties.
  • Tarlov reaffirms: "He has an Epstein files problem and he knows it." ([45:58])
  • Pakman exposes right-wing panic and subject changes to avoid substance.

• Pakman’s Analysis:

  “When a scandal becomes associated with elite protection networks, it can stop being a partizan thing…trust collapses quickly when you've got two sets of rules…” ([47:57])

7. Polling: Brutal Midterm Indicators for Trump & GOP

([49:48] – [56:24])

Highlights

• Rasmussen Poll:

  • 48% of voters prefer Biden’s job performance over Trump’s (40%), in a right-leaning poll.
  • Only 27% say Trump’s promised “golden age” has arrived; 58% say it has not, a steep drop from 2025.
  • Trump’s approval is in the low 40s, with disapproval well above 50%.

• Interpretation:

  • Polling erosion from Republican sources signals base enthusiasm fading and independents moving away.
  • Declining confidence on key issues: cost of living and immigration enforcement.

  “You can’t run against the past when you’re currently in charge. And when people think back to Biden and go, it was actually better then…” — David Pakman ([54:38])

8. Culture War Spotlight: Megyn Kelly vs. Bad Bunny

([57:11] – [59:08])

Meltdown over Spanish-Language Performance

• Megyn Kelly’s Outrage:

  “To get up there and perform the whole show in Spanish is a middle finger to the rest of America.” ([57:11])

  • Denounces diverse representation at the Super Bowl, demands “quintessentially American” performances.

• Pakman’s Takedown:

  • Reminds listeners 40 million Americans speak Spanish, noting Puerto Rico is part of the US and Bad Bunny is an American citizen.
  • Dissects the “narrow, nostalgia fantasy” of authenticity, pointing to perennial right-wing anxieties about cultural change.
  • Highlights generational differences and the reality of American multiculturalism.

  “If your vision and definition of America can’t survive a halftime show in Spanish, I don’t think it was very strong to begin with.” — David Pakman ([59:08])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “When White House press secretary Caroline Levitt…says, ‘we are moving on from this story,’...that sounds like a true propaganda minister.” — David Pakman ([20:42])
• “Listen to the panic in Gutfeld’s voice…” — David Pakman ([45:52])
• “It is madness for tariff policy … to be determined by Trump’s personal feelings about how people talk to him.” — David Pakman ([31:34])
• “I would love it if they did the Bill Gates grocery test … I think Trump would have even less of an idea.” — David Pakman ([33:57])
• “This single vignette…is just one out of dozens or hundreds or even thousands…” — David Pakman ([16:04])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Epstein files/White House Response: 00:00–20:00
• Howard Lutnick/Senate Testimony: 08:39–18:00
• Caroline Levitt (Moving On): 20:22–25:50
• Trump’s Jobs & Tariff Comments: 27:04–34:00
• Prediction Markets on Trump Exit: 35:00–44:00
• Fox Panel: Elite Problem / Right’s Deflection: 44:50–49:30
• Polling Data & Analysis: 49:48–56:20
• Megyn Kelly’s Cultural Meltdown: 57:11–59:08

Conclusion

David Pakman’s episode spotlights the fiercely contested battlefield over the Epstein scandal, highlighting evidence of elite protectionism that cuts across party lines, and the political danger this poses most acutely to Trump and his allies. Aggressive White House deflection, right-wing culture wars, and damning new polling show a narrative unraveling on multiple fronts. Pakman’s tone is sharp, skeptical, and sometimes sardonic—a fresh progressive critique that refuses to let the story go away, regardless of how powerful the pushback.

For full context, listen to the episode or catch daily updates and bonus content via The David Pakman Show on your preferred podcast platform.