Podcast Summary: MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: DOJ Makes Shock Admission on Trump’s Dark Past!!!

Date: February 26, 2026
Host(s): Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent public statements and actions surrounding the release (and withholding) of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, specifically as they pertain to allegations against Donald Trump. The Meiselas brothers scrutinize new DOJ admissions about withheld files, explore legal mechanisms behind these moves, and question whether the DOJ’s claims of “ongoing federal investigation” are legitimate or a cover for deeper issues—potentially a high-level cover-up. The brothers also highlight how mainstream outlets are finally catching up to what independent journalists have been sounding the alarm about for years.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DOJ Admission and Withholding of Epstein-Related Files

Timestamps: 02:18 – 07:00

• The DOJ made a “stunning admission” about grounds for withholding large numbers of Epstein-related documents, particularly those involving Trump’s alleged sexual abuse of minors.
• Ben outlines that the DOJ may be invoking the existence of an ongoing criminal investigation as a pretext to block the release of these documents.
• Other cited justifications include deliberative process privilege and undefined “other claims of privilege”—which Ben characterizes as legally improper.
  • Quote (Ben, 02:42):
    “This is criminal conduct by the Department of Justice, which I've compared to a racketeering enterprise engaged in the cover-up of a child sex trafficking ring.”
• The brothers stress the DOJ’s use of public-facing social media accounts, now reportedly run by pro-Trump figures in the White House, as evidence of politicization in how information is disseminated.

2. The Mechanisms of Withholding – The Epstein Transparency Act

Timestamps: 07:01 – 13:06

• Ben dissects the DOJ’s public explanation for holding back files: “all responsive documents” have been released unless they are (1) duplicates, (2) privileged, or (3) part of an ongoing federal investigation.
• Disputes DOJ justifications, pointing to missing FBI 302 witness and survivor statements specifically related to Trump accusations.
  • Quote (Ben, 04:55):
    “If there was a duplicate, like, do they think we’re stupid? [...] You can’t be withholding on the basis of duplicates if you haven’t produced the original that the duplicate is based on.”
• Introduction of a DOJ memo dated January 4, 2026 from Todd Blanche (Trump’s former defense attorney, now Deputy AG) laying out “protocols” for document review and redaction, notably after the statutory Epstein document release deadline.

3. Permitted Withholdings Under the Law—And DOJ Workarounds

Timestamps: 13:07 – 18:40

• Ben reads directly from Todd Blanche’s DOJ memo, which clarifies that embarrassment, reputational harm, and political sensitivity are not valid legal grounds for withholding under the Epstein Transparency Act.
• Outlines the only legal bases for redaction: personal medical info of victims, child sexual abuse images, details that would jeopardize active federal investigations (temporarily and narrowly), images of death/injury, or secrets covered by executive order.
• Revelation: On Page 9 of the memo, Blanche “invents” additional categories of privilege, including deliberative process, work product, and attorney-client privilege, not explicitly permitted by the law.
  • Quote (Ben, 14:50):
    “Now, in anything that I just read for you, did the word privilege come up at all? ... No, it did not.”
  • Quote (Ben, referencing the memo, 17:27):
    “They are withholding communications between Epstein and Maxwell by claiming those are subject to attorney-client privilege... Why would those be withheld? That doesn't say that in the Epstein Transparency Act.”
• Reveals FBI 302 survivor statements are being “flagged” and set aside per internal DOJ directive, not for statutory reasons but administrative decree.

4. The Role of the Courts & Congressional Oversight

Timestamps: 18:41 – 21:50

• Ben recalls attempts by Congress members Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie to involve judges as special masters/discovery monitors, fearing precisely the withholding now occurring.
• The Trump administration’s position: the Epstein Transparency Act doesn’t allow for judicial review of assertions of privilege—leaving the DOJ as the sole arbiter with little oversight.
  • Quote (Ben, 19:37):
    “The Trump regime has taken the position that they're above the judges and that no judge can even make a ruling.”

5. Mainstream Media Finally Noticing Missing Trump-Related Files

Timestamps: 21:51 – 24:46

• Recognition that corporate news (NYT, CNN, WSJ) is now reporting missing key records, especially those relating to Trump accuser interviews.
  • E.g., over a quarter of 300 FBI witness interview records are missing; three involve a woman alleging both Epstein’s and Trump’s abuse.
  • Quote (Ben, 22:16):
    “Dozens of FBI records apparently missing, including Trump accuser interviews... A Democratic lawmaker... pointed to the apparently missing documents to question the extent of the DOJ's release and whether the Trump administration followed the law.”
• DOJ social post commits to correcting errors if documents are “improperly tagged” and assures compliance “consistent with the law.” Ben interprets this as coded language: the DOJ is using vague or invented privilege and ongoing prosecution grounds to avoid transparency.

6. Broader Implications and Accountability

Timestamps: 23:50 – 24:46

• Highlights the catch-22 of the judiciary’s limited role and the dangers of an executive branch asserting unchecked privilege.
• Emphasizes the ongoing battle for transparency and the importance of relentless independent journalism and congressional oversight to force accountability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben (02:42):
  “This is criminal conduct by the Department of Justice, which I've compared to a racketeering enterprise engaged in the cover-up of a child sex trafficking ring.”

• Ben (04:55):
  “If there was a duplicate, like, do they think we’re stupid? [...] You can’t be withholding on the basis of duplicates if you haven’t produced the original that the duplicate is based on.”

• Ben (14:50):
  “Now, in anything that I just read for you, did the word privilege come up at all? ... No, it did not.”

• Ben (17:27):
  “They are withholding communications between Epstein and Maxwell by claiming those are subject to attorney-client privilege... Why would those be withheld? That doesn't say that in the Epstein Transparency Act.”

• Ben (19:37):
  “The Trump regime has taken the position that they're above the judges and that no judge can even make a ruling.”

• Ben (22:16):
  “Dozens of FBI records apparently missing, including Trump accuser interviews... A Democratic lawmaker... pointed to the apparently missing documents to question the extent of the DOJ's release and whether the Trump administration followed the law.”

Detailed Timestamps

• 02:18 — Ben begins in-depth legal and document-by-document analysis.
• 07:00 — Discussion of the new DOJ memo from Todd Blanche and statutory deadlines.
• 13:07 — Explicit breakdown of allowable withholdings/redactions under the Epstein Transparency Act.
• 14:46 — Ben exposes the DOJ’s expansion of privilege categories beyond the law.
• 18:41 — History of attempts for independent oversight, and judicial exclusion explained.
• 21:51 — Mainstream media finally cover missing files and accuser accounts, DOJ’s public defense.
• 23:50 — Broad implications, significance for transparency, democracy, and next steps for holding the government accountable.

Tone & Style

• Passionate and unapologetically direct. The brothers blend detailed legal analysis with skepticism toward government justifications and maintain their trademark brotherly banter and populist accountability messaging.
• Quotes are direct, sometimes indignant, always focused on advocacy for transparency and justice.

Final Takeaways

This episode serves as both a legal deconstruction and a warning: The hosts argue that the Trump-influenced DOJ is actively manipulating the boundaries of law, using invented or misapplied privilege categories and continuous claims of “ongoing investigation” to suppress crucial Epstein-related documents involving Trump. The brothers call for continued, relentless scrutiny and pressure from both independent journalists and congressional actors to break this pattern of obfuscation and ensure public accountability.

For more deep dives and updates on this unfolding story—and vibrant pro-democracy dialogue—subscribe to the MeidasTouch Podcast.