Podcast Summary

The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Episode 3626 – Epstein’s Arms Deal, Intelligence Connections with Israel w/ Murtaza Hussain
Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

In this episode, host Sam Seder and co-host Emma Vigeland are joined by investigative journalist Murtaza Hussain (Drop Site News) for an in-depth conversation about Jeffrey Epstein’s intricate global dealings—specifically his role as a broker in international arms sales and intelligence operations involving Israel and other nations. The discussion draws from Hussain’s ongoing reportage, a trove of leaked emails, and emerging official records to explore Epstein’s position in elite, transnational networks operating above the law.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein as a Global Political Fixer

• Epstein’s activities went far beyond sex trafficking, embroiling him in global arms deals, money laundering, and facilitating backchannel diplomacy (27:09).
• He coordinated secret talks and business arrangements for the Israeli government and defense sector, with projects spanning Africa (Cote d’Ivoire), Mongolia, Syria, Russia, and more.
• Quote:

  “Epstein was somebody who… played a role as a fixer and dealmaker… He helped seed, or you could say orchestrate, backchannel diplomacy between the Israeli government and other governments.”
  – Murtaza Hussain (27:09)

2. The Maxwell Connection & Intelligence

• Epstein’s partnership with Ghislaine Maxwell was integral, with her father Robert Maxwell’s ties to Israeli intelligence and moneyed elites setting a precedent and likely providing key connections (28:13; 28:35).
  • Robert Maxwell’s legacy: instrumental in global intelligence, arms, and financial schemes; speculation that Epstein assumed his network and methods.
• Notable Connection:
  • The model involved approaching insecure governments and offering them lucrative defense and surveillance technologies, then finalizing security accords at the state level later.
• Quote:

  “It seems that after Maxwell’s death, Epstein inherited that role… acting a lot like Maxwell did, basically acting as a fixer for Israeli government officials.”
  – Murtaza Hussain (28:35)

3. Epstein’s Relationships with Israeli Government & Ehud Barak

• A trove of hacked emails between Epstein and Ehud Barak (former Israeli Prime Minister/Defense Minister) forms the backbone of much reporting.
  • Barak relied on Epstein for making lucrative connections post-public service; Epstein advised on and arranged deals for Israeli tech and defense firms internationally (33:04; 37:15).
  • Barak viewed as subordinate in dynamic—Epstein appears as the senior “power broker.”
• Quote:

  “Barak, at that time, was one of the most influential people in the Israeli political and security establishment. He was looking up to Epstein… eager for Epstein’s attention.”
  – Murtaza Hussain (37:57)

4. Arms Dealings, Iran-Contra, and Money Laundering

• Epstein was connected to notorious arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and linked to shadowy institutions like BCCI, indicating long-standing ties to global illicit finance networks (40:17).
• Epstein specialized in money laundering—for intelligence services, governments, and private clients.
• Possible involvement in major geopolitical events (e.g., the Iraq War) suspected but not fully substantiated.

5. The Mechanics & Apparatus of Epstein’s Operations

• The shocking breadth and depth of Epstein’s social/business dealings outstripped what any single person could organically create, hinting at possible unseen apparatus or staff (53:17–55:21).
  • Questions remain about the exact nature of Epstein’s organization, the roles of staff (especially Ghislaine Maxwell), and why so few insiders have spoken out.

6. Money Laundering & Blackmail: Speculation and Evidence

• New email evidence suggests Trump acted as a “Trojan buyer” for laundering purchases by others (42:18; 43:42).
• Surveillance and potential blackmail: Epstein recorded much, but solid evidence of organized blackmail remains circumstantial (44:52–45:54).
• Hussain posits that for many, proximity to Epstein was carrot enough—his access, social cache, and money trumped any need for coercion.

7. A Window into the Global Billionaire Class

• Epstein operated above the state level, representing and networking among a tiny transnational elite whose interests, resources, and perceived immunity were virtually limitless (50:53–53:17).
• There is a culture of impunity and hubris, with laws and morality seen as irrelevant to their operations.

8. Hubris, Security, and Evidence of Impunity

• Despite undertaking world-shaping deals—and spectacularly illegal acts—Epstein and his circle often used unsecured, regular email (68:25–71:11).
  • Hussain perceives in their giddy carelessness a sense that they were simply untouchable—the law did not apply to them.
• Quote:

  “I don’t think they felt necessarily a great fear from the public or fear from accountability of any sort. …A great sense of impunity.”
  – Murtaza Hussain (69:20)

9. Sex Trafficking as a Subtext and Integrative Glue

• While much focus has been on sex crimes, in these records the trafficking appears as both part of the business (networking and mutual assurance) and an unspoken layer underlying high-level financial schemes (66:27).
• The same sense of impunity governs both shady finance and shocking criminality.
• Quote:

  “They clearly didn’t look at these girls or women as, you know, as human beings. …It’s like, we’re humans and everything else is just things for us to exploit.”
  – Sam Seder (72:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|---------|----------------| | 27:09 | Murtaza Hussain | “Epstein was somebody who was very much involved in global politics. You could say he was a fixer and dealmaker...” | | 28:35 | Murtaza Hussain | “It seems that almost that Epstein, upon Maxwell’s death, he sort of inherited that role…” | | 37:57 | Murtaza Hussain | “If anything, it seemed like the Mossad was working for him.” | | 53:17 | Murtaza Hussain | “He seemed to represent a class of people who were above all these governments...” | | 69:20 | Murtaza Hussain | “I think there was a great sense of impunity reigning at that time...given the way he lived and the people around him lived...” | | 72:25 | Sam Seder | “There is a cohort of people living amongst us, but they’re not living amongst us. They are operating under an entirely different set of rules.” |

Particularly Revealing Exchange:

• (62:49):
  Hussain recounts an email revealing Epstein nudging Barak to spot opportunities for profit among global upheaval.
  • Epstein email: “All over the world...there is this great upheaval and people in power are very insecure and afraid. Isn’t this perfect for you?”
  • Barak: “Yes, but it’s not easy to turn into a cash flow. Something for us to discuss on Saturday.”
    — Summing up the exploitative, opportunistic nature of their collaboration.

Segment Timestamps

• Epstein’s Activities Beyond Sex Trafficking: 27:09–31:15
• Maxwell, Intelligence & Israeli Arms Deals: 28:35–35:21
• Ehud Barak Emails & Israeli Relations: 33:04–37:57
• Arms Dealing, Adnan Khashoggi, Money Laundering: 40:01–42:18
• The Apparatus/Staff Structure: 53:17–55:21
• Money Laundering, Blackmail, Compromat: 44:52–47:10
• Elite Culture & Global Billionaire Class: 50:53–53:17
• Impunity & Use of Regular Email: 68:25–71:11
• Integration of Sex Trafficking, Business & Networking: 66:27
• Implications of Untouchable Elite: 72:25–74:01

Tone and Style

The discussion is characterized by a mixture of irreverence, exasperation, and methodical insight—reflecting The Majority Report’s trademark blend of skepticism and humor when confronting the machinations of global elites. Seder and Vigeland probe for clarity amid labyrinthine details, while Hussain provides sober, carefully evidenced answers suffused with wary speculation, cautioning about unproven (but plausible) elements.

Key Takeaways

• Jeffrey Epstein’s reach far exceeded the boundaries of criminal sex trafficking; he was a go-between and dealmaker for the global elite, with Israel and its intelligence apparatus as steady beneficiaries.
• Maxwell’s and Khashoggi’s influence, institutional connections, and methods were likely foundational for Epstein’s ascent.
• Global law is secondary to wealthy, hyper-connected transnational actors; impunity, not accountability, reigns at the top.
• The story is still unfolding, with significant leaks and ongoing reporting—but the full “elephant” of Epstein’s power and connections remains only partially glimpsed.

For more on the Drop Site News series and to follow up on this reporting, see the links provided in the episode.