The MeidasTouch Podcast

GOP Goes into Hiding as Epstein Co-Conspirator Deposed

Date: February 19, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode centers on explosive developments regarding the deposition of Les Wexner—the billionaire known for his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The hosts detail the total absence of GOP members at the House Oversight Committee's deposition of Wexner, raising questions about political cover-ups and lack of bipartisan accountability for Epstein’s crimes. The brothers also juxtapose this critical oversight with Donald Trump’s concurrent press conferences, highlighting the dissonance between Republican actions and national priorities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Republican No-Show at Les Wexner Deposition

• Main Takeaway: Not a single Republican member attended the House Oversight Committee deposition of Les Wexner in Ohio, despite his critical financial role in supporting Jeffrey Epstein.
  • "Not a single Republican showed up to the House of Representative deposition today of Les Wexner in Ohio. He was the main benefactor... of Jeffrey Epstein." —Ben (03:35)
• Republican Leadership's Role: Hosts allege that Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson instructed GOP members not to appear, showing total abandonment of oversight on Epstein’s crimes.
• Wexner’s Admissions:
  • Les Wexner admitted under oath to giving Epstein about a billion dollars, claiming he was “duped” but providing only vague details when pressed on involvement.
  • Wexner acknowledged being with Epstein and Donald Trump at beauty pageants and Victoria’s Secret shows, but was evasive on specifics about underage girls or illicit activity.

2. Key Lawmakers Respond & Highlight Cover-Up

• Democratic Reactions: Various Democrats expressed outrage at the GOP absence, the DOJ’s obstruction, and the apparent White House cover-up.
  • "It is very frustrating, the fact that there are no Republicans here today... sex trafficking should not be a D versus R issue." —Rep. Min (05:45)
  • "There would be no Epstein, no island, no planes, no money to traffic girls without the financial assistance of Les Wexner.” —Ranking Democrat, Oversight Committee (06:15)
• Wexner’s Relationship with Epstein: Lawmakers emphasize that Wexner gave Epstein power of attorney, access to homes, and hundreds of millions of dollars.
  • "Les Wexner handed his power of attorney to Jeffrey Epstein. He allowed Jeffrey Epstein to live in his homes, to have hundreds of millions of his dollars, to use his yachts and his planes." —Rep. Yasmin Ansari (11:07)
• Victims’ Stories: Testimonies and lawmaker accounts reinforce that many victims directly tied Wexner to Epstein’s activities and trafficking networks.

3. Donald Trump’s Distractions & Rhetoric

• Parallel Events: As the deposition unfolded, Trump held a press conference making alarming statements about “forcing himself” onto blue states and cities.
  • "I will force myself upon you, whether you like it or not..." —Donald Trump (08:14)
• Off-topic Comments: Trump veered off into unrelated topics, praising Nicki Minaj’s appearance (10:38), boasting of his friendship with Mike Tyson as proof he’s not racist (17:44), and disparaging President Biden (18:08).
  • “I love Nicki Minaj. Her skin is so beautiful… Nikki, are they real?...” —Donald Trump (10:38)
  • “Mike Tyson goes that, he's not a racist. He's my friend...” —Donald Trump (17:44)
  • “We had an idiot as a president... He was not a president. Number one, he didn't win the election...” —Donald Trump (18:08)
• Authoritarian Overtones: Trump suggests DOJ should prosecute the press to silence criticism.
  • “We have to get Leo in the DOJ involved...” —Donald Trump (19:06)

4. Attempts to Distract from Epstein Issues

• Tariff Rebate Checks Myth: Press secretary Caroline Levitt is questioned about non-existent Trump-promised "tariff rebate checks" meant to distract from the Epstein news.
  • “Caroline, can you tell me, is there an update regarding the tariff rebate checks that the White House has promised?”
    —Reporter (17:10)
  • “I don't have an update for you.” —Caroline Levitt (17:16)
• Foreign Policy Evasions: Levitt dodges questions about Taiwan arms sales and US policy, furthering the perception of chaos and incompetence.
• Iran Nuclear Rhetoric: Vague and inconsistent explanations given for strike threats against Iran, with little clarity offered to Americans.

5. Scope and Scale of the Alleged Cover-Up

• White House & DOJ Involvement: Democrats assert that the highest levels of government are implicated in suppressing the full release of Epstein files and investigations.
  • “The cover up is vast. It goes as high as the White House and the Department of Justice...” —Rep. Yasmin Ansari (13:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 03:35 | Ben | “Not a single Republican showed up to the House of Representative deposition today of Les Wexner in Ohio. He was the main benefactor... of Jeffrey Epstein.” | | 05:45 | Rep. Min | "Sex trafficking should not be a D versus R issue. It should be a bipartisan issue. Everybody should be invested in finding the truth right now... DOJ has actively tried to obstruct this investigation..." | | 06:15 | Ranking Democrat | “There would be no Epstein, no island, no planes, no money to traffic girls without the financial assistance of Les Wexner. We are committed to ending this White House cover up which protects criminals and billionaire benefactors.” | | 08:14 | Donald Trump | “I will force myself upon you, whether you like it or not, if I think that your state or city is too dangerous, I will force myself upon you...” | | 10:38 | Donald Trump | “I love Nicki Minaj... Her skin, so beautiful. Her nails are like that long. I said, nikki, are they real?” | | 11:07 | Rep. Yasmin Ansari | “Over the last year, the American public has been witnessing what I can only call the most egregious cover up in American history. ...Les Wexner handed his power of attorney to Jeffrey Epstein...” | | 17:44 | Donald Trump | “Mike Tyson... He's my friend. He's been there from the beginning, good times and bad.” | | 18:08 | Donald Trump | “We had an idiot as a president. He was not a president. Number one, he didn't win the election.” | | 19:06 | Donald Trump | “We have to get Leo in the DOJ involved.” | | 13:00 | Rep. Yasmin Ansari | “The cover up is vast. It goes as high as the White House and the Department of Justice...” |

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [03:35–08:14]: Details of the Les Wexner deposition, GOP no-show, and Democratic outrage.
• [08:14–10:56]: Trump’s concurrent press conference—“force himself” rhetoric, Nicki Minaj comments.
• [11:07–14:30]: Rep. Yasmin Ansari’s breakdown of the investigation and evidence of a governmental cover-up.
• [17:07–18:35]: Caroline Levitt dodges policy questions, Trump’s self-promotion, and attacks on Biden.
• [19:06–22:29]: Trump’s DOJ threats against the press, question dodging on Taiwan/Iran, escalating war rhetoric.

Tone & Style

• Unapologetic, frustrated, and often sarcastic—the hosts clearly align themselves with accountability, directness, and support for democracy.
• Banter is used to underline the absurdity of GOP actions and Trumpist distractions; the language is pointed and calls out hypocrisy and evasion.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast delivers an in-depth and passionate examination of the political and legal fallout surrounding the Les Wexner deposition in the Epstein trafficking investigation—a moment marked by total Republican absence and Democratic accusations of a bipartisan cover-up reaching the highest levels of government. Contrasted with Trump’s concurrent press antics, the episode underscores the gravity of the material being concealed, the institutional resistance to justice for Epstein’s victims, and the urgency for public engagement and accountability.

The Meiselas brothers pull no punches—interweaving direct lawmaker testimony, press conference soundbites, and their trademark commentary to paint a chilling picture of deep governmental dysfunction, enabling listeners to grasp not just the facts, but also the stakes of this ongoing scandal.