MAGA Mike in Utter Panic as Shutdown Is Now Imminent

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast: "MAGA Mike in Utter Panic as Shutdown Is Now Imminent"

Date: September 14, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Focus: Looming government shutdown, MAGA Mike Johnson’s role, and political maneuvering over health care subsidies and blame-shifting in Washington D.C.

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Episode Overview

This episode dissects the impending government shutdown crisis, placing special focus on “MAGA Mike” Johnson (Speaker of the House), his public statements, and the strategic efforts by Republicans—aligned with Donald Trump—to force a funding impasse and shift blame onto Democrats. Leveraging clips, historical context, and sharp commentary, the brothers break down how recurring brinksmanship on the budget, Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, and attacks on democratic processes have become central features of the current MAGA-led government.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Imminent Government Shutdown

[02:08]

• The Meidas crew opens with the situation: "MAGA Mike Johnson is facing a nightmare scenario... two weeks and a few days away from another potential government shutdown."
• They highlight the repetitive pattern: Whenever Republicans are in charge, shutdown drama ensues, followed by attempts to blame Democrats.
• Issue at heart: Republican refusal to fund ACA subsidies, critical for many Americans.

"Democrats are saying, well, why would we ever support something that's going to take away health care from people?" (Ron Filipkowski, 03:37)

[04:14]

• Corporate media’s negligence is called out for failing to spotlight what is arguably “the biggest story” in politics: MAGA Republicans using shutdowns as political warfare.
• The team underscores suspicions that GOP leaders plan to engineer economic chaos for political advantage and pin the fallout on Democrats:

"I believe they want to shut down the government, then blame the Democrats and say, 'Oh, the Democrats destroyed the economy.'" (Ron Filipkowski, 05:04)

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2. MAGA Mike's Deflection and Public Statements

[05:59] MAGA Mike Press Conference Clip

• MAGA Mike blames Democrats for shutdown risks, despite Republicans controlling Congress and the White House.
• He insists Republicans are acting “in good faith,” and frames funding cuts as necessary for the nation.

"If Democrats are willing to work with us, we have our sleeves rolled up ... The ultimate question of whether there's going to be a government shutdown ... is going to be up to congressional Democrats." (Mike Johnson, 07:16)

• The hosts call out the absurdity of blaming the out-of-power party and MAGA Mike’s attempts to paint Democrats as “Marxists.”

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3. International Distractions: Israel-Qatar Incident

[07:22]

• In the same presser, MAGA Mike is caught off guard by news of Israel striking Qatar.

"That's... I don't, I don't know anything about that development. That's news to me. I've been a little busy..." (Mike Johnson, 08:30)

• The crew mockingly notes Johnson’s awkwardness and obvious attempts to “check in” on what Trump wants him to say ("What does Donald want me to say?").

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4. Recurring Shutdown Crisis: Historical Context

[09:03]

• The Meidas brothers chronicle how similar situations played out in 2023 and 2024, each time under GOP House leadership.
• They play a "deja vu" sequence illustrating repeated GOP motives and quotes calling for or minimizing shutdowns.
• Rep. Brendan Boyle (Democrat) exposes GOP shutdown rhetoric:

"Ever since I was in High School 30 years ago, we've had five government shutdowns. All five took place under House Republican leadership..." (Democratic Representative, 10:41)

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5. The Fight Over ACA Subsidies and Economic Stakes

[13:29]

• Jake Sherman’s reporting is cited: House GOP has made no progress in reaching a deal, and ACA subsidies (premium tax credits) are set to expire, raising premiums for millions.

[14:45] Sen. Schatz (D-HI) on ACA Subsidies

• Senator Schatz warns that letting subsidies lapse will directly punish millions of Americans, pushing them back toward unaffordable health care costs:

"This is actually about to happen... They're going to get a letter ... their monthly premiums are going to go up by hundreds of dollars ... it will be because Republicans ... are allowing the Affordable Care Act subsidies ... to expire." (Sen. Schatz, 14:47)

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6. Democratic Senators Unite: Shutdown Blame and Negotiation Stalemate

[16:09] Sen. Padilla (D-CA)

• Blames are clearly laid at Republicans' feet, given their complete control. Padilla explains Democrats’ willingness to cut a budget deal but notes a lack of trust and moving benchmarks from the GOP:

"If there's a government shutdown, it's because Republicans have shut down the government.... Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House." (Sen. Padilla, 16:27)

[17:33] Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

• Reiterates that Republicans are “in the driver's seat” and must own the consequences.

"If Republican leadership ... lets the car go off the cliff, we know who will be held responsible." (Sen. Murray, 17:44)

[18:05] Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

• Equates the budget fight to a moral struggle, refusing to vote for budgets that "hurt New Jerseyans or anybody in our nation," and again points to Republican responsibility.

"A budget is a moral document. It reflects your priorities." (Sen. Booker, 18:15)

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7. MAGA Mike and the “Epstein Files” Distraction

[19:13]

• As the shutdown crisis intensifies, MAGA Mike is portrayed as fixated on shielding Trump from fallout over Jeffrey Epstein connections.
• The podcast lampoons Johnson’s conspiracy-driven explanations:
  • Claims of a “Deep State” forger manufacturing evidence
  • The notion that Trump was a “hero” in the Epstein case

"There's this great forger who can see into the future who dropped Donald Trump's fake birthday card in Epstein's birthday book..." (Ron Filipkowski, 20:00)

• Johnson later backtracks, offering muddled explanations about Trump’s role and “informant” status.

"I was not breaking news ... President Trump was helpful in trying to get Epstein. For the law enforcement to go out there..." (Mike Johnson, 22:56)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On GOP Shutdown Tactics:
  • "...they want to shut down the government, then blame the Democrats..." (Ron Filipkowski, 05:04)
• On Loss of ACA Subsidies:
  • "They're going to get a letter ... their monthly premiums are going to go up by hundreds ... It will be because Republicans ... are allowing the Affordable Care Act subsidies ... to expire." (Sen. Schatz, 14:47)
• On Republican Control and Blame:
  • "Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House... If there's a government shutdown, it's because Republicans have shut down the government." (Sen. Padilla, 16:27)
• On Conspiracy Defenses:
  • "There's this great forger who can see into the future..." (Ron Filipkowski, 20:00)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:08] MAGA Mike and shutdown crisis outlined
• [05:59] MAGA Mike Johnson's press conference (blame game)
• [07:22] Israel-Qatar incident puts Johnson on the spot
• [09:03] Historical recap: shutdown playbook in 2023, 2024, and now
• [14:45] Senator Schatz on health care premium hikes
• [16:09] Senator Padilla on Republican responsibility
• [17:33] Senator Patty Murray: “They are in the driver's seat”
• [18:05] Senator Cory Booker on budget morality and responsibility
• [19:13–22:56] MAGA Mike’s Epstein files contortions

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Tone and Style

• The hosts balance passionate democratic advocacy with biting sarcasm directed at MAGA leadership.
• Frequent use of clips and real-time fact-checks keep the episode lively and informative.
• Emphasis is on accountability, transparency, and resisting disinformation—both on the budget and broader issues.

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Summary

This episode spotlights a now-routine crisis: government shutdowns manufactured by MAGA-aligned Republicans, the strategic refusal to fund ACA subsidies, and responsibility dodging in Congress. The MeidasTocuh team details how GOP leaders craft political chaos and distractions—whether through blaming Democrats, leveraging international crises, or bizarre defenses around the Epstein files—all while putting millions of Americans at risk. Through detailed audio clips, historical context, and their signature blend of fact-based analysis and comedic edge, the Meiselas brothers provide a valuable roadmap for understanding the latest high-stakes fight for American democracy.

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Transcript

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[Ron Filipkowski]

MAGA Mike Johnson is facing a nightmare scenario right now of his and Donald Trump's own making. We are just about two weeks and a few days away from another potential government shutdown. If this sounds like deja vu, it's because the MAGA Republicans always bring us to the brink of there being a government shutdown and MAGA Mike and Donald Trump are doing it again and they're trying to blame the Democrats for it. You have the MAGA Republicans controlling the Senate, the House and the White House, and they're blaming the Democrats. Let's be clear, the one kind of bright line where Democrats, I think, are saying we will absolutely not support any budget bill that does not continue to fund Affordable Care act subsidies, something that we should all want, right? Well, MAGA Mike and the Republicans don't want to fund the Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care act subsidies that lots of people rely on to keep their premiums within a range that are affordable. Now, this is a different issue than the disastrous budget bills, gutting of Medicaid that kicks in soon as well. But on October 1st, the Affordable Care act plans that you and family members and others you know may be a part of are going to get exponentially more expensive. And Democrats are saying, well, why would we ever support something that's going to take away the health care from people? And Trump and MAGA Mike and the senators, MAGA Republican senators are saying, we want to take this away and then we want to blame it on the Democrats.

[Interjecting Commentator]

They.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Now, let me tell you what's really going on here. And again, this to me also shows you how negligent corporate news is being, because do you see them reporting on this? It's one of the, if not the biggest story taking place right now, amongst many others. But this deserves real big focus. So what I think is going on as well is that the MAGA Republicans have seen the recent job numbers. They've seen the recent inflation numbers. They've, they've seen a lot of the economic data coming in. They know we're in a stagflationary period right now. They know Trump's trade war against the world has brutally screwed America the way economists from across the country and the world were predicting was going to happen, the way former Vice President Kamala Harris predicted was going to happen as she debated Donald Trump. So what I think that Trump and MAGA Mike and the Republicans in the Senate want to do is I believe they want to shut down the government. They control it. So they could choose shutdown or no shutdown. I believe they want to shut down the government, then blame the Democrats and say, oh, the Democrats destroyed the economy. Donald Trump was bringing in a golden age, but the Democrats screwed it up. That's what I think their plan is. So let me show you right here. This is MAGA Mike Johnson saying the ultimate question of whether or not there's going to be a government shutdown at the End of this month is in the hands of the Democrats. It's in the hands of the Democrats. You control all branches of government. What are you talking about? Watch maga. Mike squirm like the little weasel he is. Play this clip.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

House Republicans continue to work through regular order to fund the government for FY26 for the next fiscal year. We're working closely with the White House and the Senate to ensure we meet our deadlines. And Chairman Cole, John Tom Cole, the appropriators, continues to diligently work towards getting all 12 bills out of committee. And they're almost done with that. And as we get closer to the funding deadline, though, we recognize the shutdown chatter from the left is growing louder. Some of these people seem to enjoy this. It seems Democrats may take the path of maximum resistance and try to shut the government down. It's not surprising because they're struggling because they don't really have a message or a leader or a. Their party registration is falling, their approval ratings are in the low 20s, and they're about to elect a Marxist to be the mayor of New York City. They are desperately searching for a solution. And some in the party apparently think a government shutdown would be some sort of political advantage to them. It'd be what we all know is dangerous and harmful to millions of Americans, and that is not the answer. So I'm going to say this again, and I'm saying it in good faith. I've shared this with the Democrat leader in the House and other colleagues. If Democrats are willing to work with us, we have our sleeves rolled up, and we want to do this in good faith. We just have to think responsibly how to spend less money than we did last year. And if they're willing to do that, and it's incumbent upon all of us to do it, with the high national debt, we're open to that. But the ultimate question of whether there's going to be a government shutdown at the end of the month is going to be up to congressional Democrats. And that's just the way it is.

[Ron Filipkowski]

By the way, in that same press conference that took place earlier in the week, Magamike didn't realize that Israel had targeted Qatar, specifically Doha, the capital of Qatar, with a Air Force military strike in a residential area, killing relatives of potential Hamas members but not hitting their target. And apparently they didn't tell the United States in advance until it was actually happening. That's what MAGA Mike was finding out for the first time during this press conference. And you'll See Maga Mike kind of squirm again and then go, what? What does Donald want me to say? What does Donald want me to say? Donald, what do you want me to say? Watch him squirm. Play this clip.

[Interjecting Commentator]

Second question for anyone.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

As we were all driving and walking in here, Israel struck Qatar to take out Hamas leadership. I'm curious if any of you think.

[Interjecting Commentator]

That whoever survives there should be evicted from Qatar.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

That's. I don't, I don't know anything about that development. That's news to me. I've been a little busy the last couple hours, but we'll have to see how that plays out. I mean, it's. Look, I was in Israel myself a few weeks ago in early August. It's very dangerous time there. And they have enemies encamped around them, and they're trying to bring that to a piece as well. But Hamas, you know, by, by anybody who looks at this reasonably, and in my view, this is my personal view that Hamas has to be eradicated. You've got to remove that threat on the immediate border, frankly, within the bounds of Israel.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Now, if you think this was deja vu with Maga Mike Johnson forcing another potential government shutdown, like, didn't this happen in 2023? Didn't this happen in 2024? Didn't this happen? Yeah, it did. They do this every single time. But now I think as they control all the branches of government, I think that they really want to shut it down and then blame the Democrats because they know the economy is heading in a disastrous path anyway. And I think they want to use the economic chaos as another smokescreen for Trump to send the military into more blue states and to do more military invasions throughout the country. That's what fascists want. And by the way, if they hurt the economy more, then Trump could try to put more pressure on the Fed to lower interest rates. Well, now you gotta bail us out. Now you gotta bail us out. Just trying to help the rich is what's really going down there. So I was looking back and I said, hmm, we were on the brink of a shutdown in September 2023. Right around this time. Yeah, like literally, basically the same week, September 2023. Maga Mike. And the Democratic ranking member of the Budget Committee, Brendan Boyle, had the following exchange. Play this clip.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

We do not desire a shutdown. I yield back or yield back to the gentleman.

[Democratic Representative]

Previous speaker just said that no Republican member wants a shutdown. I have the quotes right here, which I will submit for the record when I'm done. One House Republican said, let's shut it down. Another Republican colleague saying, we shouldn't fear a government shutdown. Most Americans won't even miss it. And the leader of the Republican Party, the former president, saying, quote, unless you get everything, shut it down. Make no mistake about it, we are here because certain members on the other side of the aisle want a shutdown. They even said they want a shutdown. And why should we be surprised about that? Ever since I was in High School 30 years ago, we've had five government shutdowns. All five took place under House Republican leadership when Democrats are in charge of the House. Zero government shutdowns during that same time period.

[Ron Filipkowski]

And then I was thinking, what happened in 2024? Basically, this exact weekend or week in 2024, when I did a video on this, I went back, I played this clip. This is September 2024. So the first one was 2023 in 2024. Now I'm here in 2025 and doing it again. Here, play this clip.

[Interjecting Commentator]

Would you listen to Trump and let.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

The government shut down? I mean, this bill is not going to pass. Likely. I mean, there's 15. Well, there's over 10 Republicans that said they're going to vote against it.

[Interjecting Commentator]

So, I mean, will you let the government shut down?

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

We'll see what, we'll see what happens with the bill. All right, we're on the field in the middle of the game. The quarterback's calling the play. We're going to run the play. I'm very confident. I know that all the Republicans believe in election security. We have some people who dislike CRs. You know what I dislike continuing resolutions as well. Right. But here's the problem, and everybody needs to remember, it is not the House. It is not the House majority, is not House Republicans that put us in this situation.

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[Ron Filipkowski]

As Jake Sherman, who does a good job reporting on what's going on day to day in Congress. As he said, GOP leaders needed to show funding progress this week, which they did not do. Whether they're going to do a short or longer term CR continuing resolution, Johnson should want to avoid a lot of CR votes. Remember, they said, oh, we're not going to do continuing resolutions anymore. Well, the question becomes those Obamacare premium tax credits right there that are set to expire. It's just interesting. You know, Jake Sherman puts it in a kind of a partisan perspective that Dems need to rally around. Their Ask R showed openness to extending Obamacare premium tax credits. Why is this even an open question? You're going to take away the Affordable Care act credits. That's what Republicans want to do with Democrats. Just say, nah, you got to keep on funding those tax credits. Don't let it expire. But Republicans don't even want to have negotiations with Democrats right now. This right here from Democratic Senator Schatz from Hawaii. He talks about the importance of these ACA subsidies and how Trump and Republicans are willing to allow the subsidies to expire. Play this clip.

[Interjecting Commentator]

This is not a political talking point. This is actually about to happen for millions of millions of Americans across the country. They're going to get a letter in the mail from their health insurance plan stating that their monthly premiums are going to go up by hundreds of dollars per month per person. And it will be because Republicans, having just voted to kick 10 million people off of health care two months ago, are allowing the Affordable Care act subsidies that made premiums cheaper to expire. American families all across the country will have an impossible choice to make. They don't have an extra couple hundred bucks. They really don't have that money. Tens of millions of Americans are going to be forced back into the period before the Affordable Care act where they look at their health care premiums and say I just can't do it. I can't make my rent or my mortgage, pay my utilities, pay my grocery bills, pay for gas, pay for kids tuition, pay for my parents and pay for health care. A lot of you remember that time. And what's going to happen this fall is not a political challenge for Republicans. It is a real challenge for people across the country. Democrats are ready to work with anyone to restore health care for the millions of Americans who are about to get smacked in the face.

[Ron Filipkowski]

I think Senator Padilla, Democratic senator from my state of California, puts it nicely here as well. He goes, if there's a government shutdown, it's not because of the Democrats. Republicans control all branches of Congress. Play this clip.

[Senator Padilla]

Yeah, look, it's no full well, we're only weeks away from the end of the fiscal year. But let me be clear. If there's a government shutdown, it's because Republicans have shut down the government. They're the ones in charge, right? It's a Republican in the White House. Republican majorities in both the House and, and the Senate. There is a way forward to avoid a government shutdown because, look, I know who gets hurt the most through a government shutdown. But all the indicators are that this is what Trump wants and this is what Republicans want because they keep giving Trump everything that he wants. We're willing to negotiate in good faith a budget for the federal government for the next fiscal year and avoid a government shutdown. But it's really hard to do so when there's no trust, when there's no goodwill. Why would we say yes to a deal knowing full well that they'll be back in a matter of weeks and undo key elements of that proposal that Democrats care about? We saw it earlier in the year in the continuing resolution fight. We've seen it through the budget reconciliation process, the budget rescission process. We're not even at September 30 yet and Trump is already demanding more pocket rescissions which are legally dubious to begin with.

[Ron Filipkowski]

We heard a similar message from Senator Patty Murray. Play this clip.

[Interjecting Commentator]

We are nine days into September and it is past time for Democrats to start hearing from Speaker Johnson and Leader Thune. Let's remember, Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House. They are quite literally in the driver's seat. And if Republican leadership, for whatever reason, decides to let the car go off the cliff, we know who will be held responsible.

[Ron Filipkowski]

We heard a similar message from Senator Cory Booker. Play this clip.

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Are you willing to shut down the.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

Government to defend Democrats priorities.

[Ron Filipkowski]

I'm willing to fight for Americans. A budget is a moral document. It reflects your priorities.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

But will you shut down the government Senate, Will you shut down the government over it?

[Ron Filipkowski]

The government? If there's a government shutdown, the Republicans in control the White House and they control Congress. It'll be them that shuts things down. There's one pathway to getting a budget done. That the way it's been done the entire time I've been a United States Senator, is in a bipartisan manner. But our president does not care about bipartisanship. Our president doesn't care about the independence of agencies he's attacking. He doesn't care about the independence of the Justice Department if he's targeting his political enemies like my colleague Adam Schiff. This is a president that does not have the morals necessary to reach across the aisle and work within the bounds of our Constitution. He is reckless and he's hurting Americans. And I'm not giving away my vote for a budget that's going to hurt New Jerseyans or anybody in our nation.

Now this comes as well, on the same week, week and a half, what's Maga Mike focused on covering up the Epstein files for Donald Trump. MAGA Mike saying, oh, that wasn't Donald Trump's signature on the birthday card. That was the Deep State planting the signature in a birthday book of Jeffrey Epstein's back in 2003, when Jeffrey Epstein turned 50, when Donald Trump was still a Democrat, knowing that Donald Trump would become a Republican, run for president one day, say he was going to release the Epstein files, then conceal it because he found out his name was all over it, which dough we didn't. His name would be all over it. And that's just the way the Deep State act. So who's this forger out there with apparently prophetic visions? There's this great for. Just think about it. What the thesis is that there's this great forger who can see into the future who dropped Donald Trump's fake birthday card in Epstein's birthday book with cryptic messages like Enigma and our secrets never age one day it would appear so there's just someone who's forging the presidency. You don't want to invest. You don't want to do oversight on that. Maga Mike. No, no, no. Let me tell you. You see, Donald Trump was an informant. No, he's not an informant.

Maga Mike.

Mike. Maga Mike gets a call from the White House. He's not an informant. Shut up, Maga Mike. Okay, I didn't Mean, he was an informant. I meant, like, he was the good guy. Like, he turned Epstein. And I. I didn't mean to use the word informant. I mean, we don't all misspeak. And you don't just go around saying the word informant and saying, my mom was an informant, my dad was an informant, my best buddy was an informant. We all. We don't. You don't just randomly misspeak like that all the time. But if Donald Trump was the hero who turned Epstein over, why would he be afraid that his name is in there in a bad way? Oh, when we saw that birthday book, he was referenced as well as Donald Trump was paying for a fully. They were mocking a young woman, apparently in that birthday book as well. One of Donald Trump's friends posted this photo with Jeffrey Epstein holding a check saying that Donald Trump was buying a fully depreciated woman from Jeffrey Epstein, disgustingly acting like, oh, well, Jeffrey Epstein passed her after Epstein, then Donald Trump, a fully depreciated woman. That's what they talked about while he was at Mar A Lago. He held it up. Oh, but Donald Trump was the good guy, the hero. Magnum Mike, watch what MAGA Mike said before and after. Play this clip.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

And if he's not saying that what Epstein did is a hoax, it's a terrible, unspeakable evil. He believes that himself. When he first heard the rumor, he kicked him out of Mar A Lago, who's an FBI informant to try to take this stuff down. The president knows and has great sympathy for the women who have suffered these unspeakable harms. It's detestable to him. He and I have spoken about this as recently as 24 hours ago. What I was referring to in that long conversation was what the Dickens attorney said more than a decade ago. President Trump kicked Epstein out of Mar A Lago, and he was one of the only people, one of the only prominent people, as everyone has reported. Not President Trump, but everybody about him, that he was willing to help law enforcement go after this guy who was he discussed in Child abuser, sex trafficker, all the allegations. That's what they heard. So the president was helpful in that. I don't know if I use the right terminology, but that's common knowledge, and everybody knows that. So this is much ado about nothing.

[Interjecting Commentator]

Was he ever asked to wear a.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Wire or anything like that? No, I didn't know.

[MAGA Mike Johnson]

I'm not saying that. I have no information about that whatsoever. I was repeating what has been common knowledge for a long time. The president was helpful in trying to get Epstein. For the law enforcement to go out there, that's always been my understanding. That's common knowledge. It's the public's understanding. I was not breaking news there.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Okay, Maga, Mike. Okay, everybody, hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content only [e-mail].