The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Senate Hearing Goes Off the Rails as FBI Director Falls Apart
Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this explosive episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect a chaotic U.S. Senate hearing featuring FBI Director Kash Patel. The hearing spirals out of control as Patel faces tough questions about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, personal use of FBI resources, his social media missteps, cyber division firings, and alleged White House interference. The brothers provide commentary laced with their signature humor and sharp critique, unpacking a session that repeatedly devolved into shouting matches, evasive answers, and political grandstanding.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Investigation and Patel’s Stonewalling

• Denial of Others Involved: In response to Senator Kennedy's pointed questions, Kash Patel claims there’s "no credible information" linking anyone but Epstein to the trafficking ring.
  • Memorable quote:
    • Patel: “There is no credible information. None. If there were, I would bring the case yesterday that he trafficked to other individuals.” (02:44)
• Confrontation with Senator Schiff: Schiff presses Patel on the Epstein files and the relocation of Ghislaine Maxwell, prompting Patel to lose his composure and launch into personal attacks.
  • Patel (to Schiff): "You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are disgraced to this institution and an utter coward.” (03:58)
• Contradictory Testimony: When pressed again, Patel claims he never said there were no other perpetrators, despite having said exactly this minutes prior.
  • Schiff: “Is it your testimony today that in all the Epstein files that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked no one to anyone but himself?” (14:47)
  • Patel: “I never said Jeffrey Epstein didn't traffic anyone else.” (14:51)

2. Use of FBI Resources for Personal Trips

• Private Jet Scandal: Senator Welch catches Patel using taxpayer-funded FBI private jets for apparent leisure, including trips with Mel Gibson to UFC fights and hockey games with Wayne Gretzky.
  • Patel: “I live in Las Vegas. I'm allowed to go home... Congress made it mandatory [to use the private jet].” (09:42, 10:03)
  • Welch’s criticism: “We didn't make it mandatory that you go to UFC games with Mel Gibson.” (10:08)

3. Social Media & Public Statements

• Charlie Kirk Shooting Misstatement: Patel is questioned for prematurely announcing “we got our man” in a high-profile shooting case, despite the suspect being incorrect.
  • Patel: “I don't see it as a mistake. I see it as something working with the public...” (12:35)
  • Welch: “If you put out a statement that says we've got our man and it turns out you didn't, that's not a mistake?” (12:40)

4. Partisan Showdowns and Personal Attacks

• Senator Booker’s Rebuke: Booker predicts Patel will soon lose his job due to incompetence and sycophancy toward Trump.
  • Booker: “I don't think you're going to even show up to a future oversight committee based on how bad you are doing right now.” (05:39)
  • Booker: “I pray for you that you can step up and defend your oath, defend the Constitution...” (06:04)
• Patel’s Defensive Outbursts: Defends himself with repeated personal attacks, undermining the decorum of the hearing.

5. Admittance on Assault Weapons Ban

• Reluctant Acknowledgment: Patel admits, when pressed by Senator Klobuchar, that certain gun control legislation could help prevent mass shootings.
  • Patel: “There are instances on this legislation that could prevent future attacks...” (13:19)

6. Uncertainty & Evasion on Personnel Matters

• Lack of Familiarity with Key Personnel: Senator Hirono exposes Patel’s ignorance about who now leads critical FBI cyber divisions—positions Patel himself filled after firings.
  • Hirono: “What are the names of the people who replaced them in those positions?”
  • Patel evades: “The Cyber Branch is one of the most impressive at the FBI... So any suggestion that the FBI Cyber Division is not operating at full capacity... is [wrong].” (20:23)
• White House Interference: Senator Blumenthal asks whether the White House influenced FBI personnel decisions; Patel dodges the question and attacks the premise.
  • Blumenthal: “Has anyone from the White House contacted you about personnel decisions?” (21:16, 22:04)
  • Patel: “Generally speaking, we always discuss with the White House OMB during the budget process... I don't receive directions to [fire agents].” (22:10)

7. Inconsistencies in Investigation Transparency

• Unsigned Memorandum: Patel is quizzed about an unsigned July DOJ/FBI memo closing the Epstein investigation and refusing to produce an Epstein ‘client list.’
  • Patel: “Would you prefer I’ve used auto pen?” (18:38)
• Reference to Ongoing Litigation: Refuses details, citing active lawsuits.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges (with Timestamps)

• On Epstein Files
  • Patel: “There is no credible information. None. If there were, I would bring the case yesterday...” (02:44)
• On Moving Ghislaine Maxwell & Dealing with Schiff
  • Patel: “You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are disgraced to this institution and an utter coward.” (03:58)
• Booker’s Prediction
  • Booker: “I pray for you that you can step up and defend your oath, defend the Constitution and do a much better job of defending this country.” (06:04)
• On FBI Jet Use
  • Welch: “We didn’t make it mandatory that you go to UFC games with Mel Gibson.” (10:08)
• On Social Media Mistakes
  • Patel: “That’s not what I said.” (12:50)
• On Assault Weapon Bans
  • Patel: “I think there are instances on this legislation that could prevent future attacks...” (13:19)
• On Personnel Interference
  • Blumenthal: “Has anyone from the White House contacted you about personnel decisions?” (22:04)
  • Patel: “Generally speaking, we always discuss with the White House OMB during the budget process.” (22:10)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:34] – Senator Kennedy and Epstein files (Patel: “no credible information” on other perpetrators)
• [03:30] – Schiff confronts Patel, escalates to personal insults
• [04:50] – Patel refuses to answer about January 6th employee firings
• [05:39] – Cory Booker’s stinging rebuke of Patel
• [09:06] – Welch exposes FBI jet use for Mel Gibson/UFC trips
• [12:15] – Misstatement about apprehending Charlie Kirk’s shooter
• [13:05] – Admits assault weapons ban could help prevent shootings
• [13:32] – Admission he hasn’t reviewed all Epstein files
• [14:47] – Patel contradicts his earlier testimony on Epstein
• [17:22] – Discussion of unsigned DOJ/FBI Epstein memo
• [19:54] – Hirono highlights Patel’s ignorance of cyber division leadership
• [21:16] – Blumenthal presses for answers on White House interference

Tone and Commentary

True to the MeidasTouch style, the brothers layer sharp progressive analysis over the hearing’s more absurd and alarming moments, highlighting official evasions, intra-Senate squabbles, and the ongoing opacity around the Epstein case. The overall tone is exasperated, sardonic, and sharply critical, particularly of what they frame as Trump-era corruption, cover-ups, and disrespect for democratic institutions. Ben, Brett, and Jordy blend outrage and humor, making complex legal and political maneuvers both accessible and galling to listeners.

Conclusion

This episode offers a detailed, blow-by-blow account of a Senate hearing that—by the brothers’ assessment—shows the FBI director engaged in stonewalling, bureaucratic buck-passing, and barely concealed partisan loyalty. With vivid quotes and sharp insight, the MeidasTouch team exposes a hearing that veered "off the rails," illuminating high-stakes questions about accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in American democracy.