The Jim Acosta Show: “JOYCE VANCE, GLENN KIRSCHNER AND MIKE FANONE”
Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Jim Acosta
Guests: Joyce Vance, Glenn Kirschner, Mike Fanone
Episode Overview
This episode of The Jim Acosta Show dives into the expanding “Epstein Gate” scandal, focusing on newly revealed connections between high-profile figures—including members of the Trump administration—and Jeffrey Epstein. Jim Acosta discusses recent legal developments, the role of the Justice Department, the failures of accountability in the U.S. versus elsewhere, as well as abuses in the U.S. immigration detention system. Legal experts Joyce Vance and Glenn Kirschner and former police officer Mike Fanone provide sharp, sometimes blunt analysis, and fresh reporting.
Main Themes
- The mushrooming “Epstein Gate” scandal and its implications for democracy, justice, and political accountability.
- The legal strategies and maneuvers around Ghislaine Maxwell and other figures implicated in the Epstein files.
- Severe deficiencies of institutional accountability compared to other democratic countries.
- The Justice Department’s handling of high-profile cases and alleged weaponization.
- Human rights abuses in current U.S. immigration detention.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ghislaine Maxwell’s Fifth Amendment Plea and Clemency Gambit
[00:00 – 04:02]
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Maxwell’s Testimony: Recently, Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment (01:12), offering to exonerate both Trump and Clinton in exchange for a presidential pardon.
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Legal Take (Joyce Vance): Joyce walks through Maxwell’s failed appeals and habeas petition, calling her legal arguments meritless and the clemency offer a transparent attempt to barter her knowledge for freedom:
“She views the truth as transactional… We’re increasingly seeing documents in the Epstein files that do nothing other than corroborate her criminality.” — Joyce Vance [03:38]
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Acosta’s Reaction: Jim and Joyce agree the offer is a brazen quid pro quo that no one should accept.
2. Congressional Review of Unredacted Epstein Files
[04:02 – 10:07]
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Stunning Reactions: Members of Congress, across party lines, are shocked by what they’ve seen in unredacted files (e.g., Ro Khanna, Thomas Massie).
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Failure of Prosecution: Both Joyce and Jim highlight DOJ’s failure to meaningfully investigate—to the detriment of survivors:
“There should be investigation going on in this moment. And the fact that there is not, that's the real travesty of justice here.” — Joyce Vance [05:21]
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Transparency Act Violations: DOJ is withholding ~3 million documents in violation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
“All of those documents need to be released… Those redactions are being done by Donald Trump’s Justice Department.” — Joyce Vance [10:07]
3. Trump, Lutnick, and Shifting Narratives
[11:28 – 15:01]
- Howard Lutnick’s Testimony: Commerce Secretary Lutnick confessed to lying about terminating contact with Epstein after 2005—he visited Epstein’s island with family in 2012.
- Bad Judgment & Hypocrisy:
“I can’t imagine taking my four kids on a vacation to Epstein island… If Donald Trump does not fire Lutnick as a result, we can draw the logical conclusion… that Donald Trump is not affronted by this sort of thing unless it’s Democrats.” — Joyce Vance [13:54]
4. The Permeation of Scandal Throughout the Administration
[15:01 – 18:20]
- Multiple Figures Implicated: Melanie Stansberry, among others, points to the sheer volume of prominent Trump associates implicated.
- Comparison to Global Accountability:
“There are now at least nine or ten other countries… that have opened investigations or forced their leaders to step down because of their mere association with Jeffrey Epstein.” — Joyce Vance quoting Stansberry [15:36]
5. Legal Community Complicity and the Brad Karp/Paul Weiss Factor
[17:08 – 22:05]
- Big Law’s Capitulation: Acosta & Vance discuss how powerful law firms like Paul Weiss swiftly caved to Trump — possibly pressured by Epstein-related blackmail.
“The question I would have for Brad Karp, if I was one of his partners, would be… the fact that you’re now mentioned in the Epstein files — did that have anything to do with the decision that you made early on to cave?” — Joyce Vance [20:18]
6. Bannon Case Dismissal and DOJ Precedent
[22:25 – 32:44]
- Justice Department Wipes Bannon’s Conviction: The DOJ dismisses the case against Steve Bannon (related to January 6th committee defiance) despite a jury conviction.
“Subpoenas are optional, I guess, perhaps if you’re a friend… of Donald Trump.” — Glenn Kirschner [25:25]
- Pattern of Corruption: Panelists view this as yet another example of DOJ weaponization for friends, punishment for enemies.
- Bannon’s Continued Influence: Despite past convictions, Bannon remains influential, calling for ICE agents to “surround polling places” and pushing civil strife.
7. Opaque Detention, Calls for Transparency, and Potential for Accountability
[32:44 – 40:01]
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Congressional Cowardice and the Media: Mike Fanone calls for lawmakers to reveal withheld names on the House floor.
“Let’s have a little bit of transparency and some accountability. And it’s clear that it’s not going to come from the administration.” — Mike Fanone [33:20]
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International Contrasts: Glenn Kirschner points to the UK police raiding Peter Mandelson’s properties while the U.S. DOJ does nothing. Both he and Acosta call the situation a “cover-up” [38:03].
“Saying that this is the most massive cover up imaginable in our nation’s history…is just a gross understatement.” — Glenn Kirschner [36:49]
8. Acosta’s Personal Connection – Epstein Files Search
[38:47 – 39:49]
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File Search Oddity: Jim Acosta discovers his own name in the Epstein files due to an unrelated public interaction.
“All you have to do is go into the goddamn screen search engine and plug in people’s names and their names will pop up in this thing.” — Jim Acosta [38:47]
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Trump Mentioned 38,000+ Times: Mike Fanone points out the scale of Trump’s name in the files, “the guy who barely knew Epstein…was Epstein’s best friend.”
9. Prospects for Accountability
[40:01 – 41:06]
- Future Uncertain: Acosta underscores that if accountability comes, it might be from voters, not prosecutors.
“This is the case that could bring him down… MAGA is starting to crack… we can’t stop talking about this case.” — Jim Acosta [40:01]
10. Horrific Conditions in U.S. Immigration Detention
[41:06 – End]
- Testimony from Seamus Cullaton: An Irish legal immigrant describes ICE detention as “like a modern day concentration camp,” with filthy conditions, limited food, and constant fear [42:49].
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“I've had barely any outside time, no fresh air, no sunshine…these are the stories that need to be told.” — Seamus Cullaton/Acosta [44:38]
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- Acosta Calls Out Inaction: Congress and governors are failing; more oversight and inspections are needed.
“Donald Trump is being allowed to run gulags and concentration camps in this country to warehouse immigrants. And it needs to stop.” — Jim Acosta [45:38]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “She views the truth as transactional… This is a woman who knows a lot… historically not had a good relationship with the truth.” — Joyce Vance [03:38]
- “These are the people that Donald Trump chooses to align with, to bring into his administration. And far too many of them seem to have an Epstein tarnish for it to be just sort of a casual coincidence.” — Joyce Vance [16:28]
- “Subpoenas are optional, I guess, perhaps if you’re a friend or maybe even a criminal associate of Donald Trump.” — Glenn Kirschner [25:25]
- “Let’s just have a little bit of transparency and some accountability… it's clear that it’s not going to come from the administration.” — Mike Fanone [33:20]
- “Saying that this is the most massive cover up imaginable in our nation’s history…is just a gross understatement.” — Glenn Kirschner [36:49]
- Testimony: “I've had barely any outside time, no fresh air, no sunshine... the conditions here are filthy… people have been killed by the security staff… it's a nightmare.” — Seamus Cullaton [42:49—44:38]
- “Donald Trump is being allowed to run gulags and concentration camps in this country to warehouse immigrants. And it needs to stop.” — Jim Acosta [45:38]
Important Segment Timestamps
- 00:00 – 04:02: Ghislaine Maxwell’s Fifth Amendment plea and clemency gambit.
- 05:21 – 07:17: DOJ inaction and congressional ‘jaw-dropping’ reactions to unredacted files.
- 10:07 – 11:28: Epstein Files Transparency Act violations and DOJ redactions.
- 12:20 – 13:54: Howard Lutnick’s testimony and credibility in doubt.
- 15:36 – 16:28: Overview of administration officials implicated; lack of US accountability.
- 17:08 – 22:05: Discussion of Brad Karp, Paul Weiss, and legal community’s capitulation.
- 24:09 – 25:25: Dismissal of Steve Bannon’s conviction; legal precedent and political favoritism.
- 31:23 – 33:20: Bannon’s continued extremism and threats to democracy.
- 36:49 – 38:06: Comparison of global accountability vs. US cover-up.
- 42:49 – 44:38: Seamus Cullaton’s harrowing account of ICE detention.
- 44:38 – end: Acosta’s call for media vigilance and government accountability.
Tone & Language
- The tone is urgent, indignant, often raw and unsparing (“sick fucks” [08:29], “cover up” [36:49]); the language is plainspoken, focused on moral clarity, accountability, and a refusal to look away from uncomfortable truths.
- Panelists and Jim Acosta repeatedly emphasize the importance of truth, transparency, and justice—regardless of political party.
In Summary
This episode of The Jim Acosta Show delivers a sweeping, deeply critical analysis of the expanding Epstein scandal and the alarming inertia in the U.S. to pursue truth and justice, especially relative to other democratic countries. Institutions—especially the Department of Justice—are portrayed as politically compromised, while the scale and severity of alleged crimes (from Epstein’s abuse and cover-up to abuses of immigrant detainees) are treated as crises demanding immediate response. The episode ends with an urgent plea for ongoing scrutiny, oversight, and independent journalism, leaving listeners both unsettled and galvanized.