The MeidasTouch Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump Gets Bad News as New Epstein Files Are Uncovered
Date: September 28, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Topic: Bombshell developments and political intrigue surrounding newly uncovered Jeffrey Epstein files and the escalating efforts (and resistance) to release them.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the explosive unveiling of new Epstein files by House Oversight Committee Democrats, highlighting prominent figures named in the records and the political maneuvering—led by Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans—to suppress full transparency. The Meiselas brothers dissect the implications for Trump, examine who’s featured in these documents, and cover the unusual government shutdown threats potentially engineered to block a decisive congressional vote. The conversation blends sharp analysis, signature brotherly banter, and unapologetic advocacy for democratic accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Unveiling of the New Epstein Files

[03:47]

• Democratic Leadership: Rep. Robert Garcia (CA) is spearheading the House Dems’ push to surface the Epstein files, despite MAGA GOP obstruction.
• Subpoenaed Documents: Latest dump includes daily schedules, travel manifests, and ties to the rich and powerful.

Notable Names Mentioned:

• Steve Bannon: Breakfast noted with Epstein in 2019.
• Peter Thiel: Lunch scheduled in Nov 2017.
• Elon Musk: Referenced as a potential visitor to Epstein’s island (Dec 2014).
• Prince Andrew: Appears on Epstein jet manifest (May 2000).
• Bill Gates, Ron Baron, Josh Harris: Invited to various events.

"They show meetings with Steve Bannon, Peter Thiel, and a potential visit to Epstein’s island for Elon Musk. Prince Andrew is listed as a passenger on Epstein’s jet."
—Ben Meiselas [03:59]

• Redactions: Done to protect the identity of victims and survivors.

2. Evidence of a Political Cover-up

[06:20]

• The Department of Justice has withheld the majority of Epstein files, releasing only outdated material with none of the critical surveillance, interviews, or FBI reports.
• Trump’s White House is said to threaten GOP members, calling cooperation with Dems a “hostile political act.”
• Discharge petition for a House floor vote on file release is almost at the majority threshold, with bipartisan support.

Representative Example:

• Adelita Grijalva (AZ), newly elected by a landslide, vows to be signature #218 on the petition and expedite file release.

"She said she will sign that discharge petition right away for the release of the Epstein files."
—Ben Meiselas [06:55]

• Tactical Shutdown: "MAGA Mike" Johnson cancels workdays to delay Grijalva’s swearing-in, possibly to stall the petition.

"MAGA Mike is going to try to avoid swearing in Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva... Looks more and more and more like the Jeffrey Epstein shutdown."
—Ben Meiselas [13:54]

3. Analysis of Epstein’s Daily Planner & Flight Manifests

[07:30]

• Hosts go through specific schedule entries showing direct meetings with power players.
• Content Examples:
  • "Lunch with Peter Thiel" (Nov 27, 2017)
  • "Breakfast with Steve Bannon" (Feb 16, 2019)
  • "Reminder: Elon Musk to Island – is this still happening?" (Dec 6, 2014)
• Caution urged: Listings show intent or invitation, but not confirmation that meetings visited or occurred.

"[Musk's] name is right there. Again, a great find by the House Oversight Committee."
—Ben Meiselas [08:27]

4. Hypocrisy and Deflection from Trump & Allies

[09:50]

• Trump, instead of commenting on Epstein, deflects with irrelevance—vowing to release Amelia Earhart files.
  • Quipped: "No, we want you to release the Epstein files…" —Ben Meiselas [10:37]
• Elaborate on Trump’s history with Epstein, including a bizarre “birthday card” he now claims is a forgery.

Dark Details in the Files:

• Documents and cartoons referencing Mar-a-Lago, involving inappropriate imagery and large sums of money, are described as “really despicable stuff.” [11:15]

5. First-Hand Account: Interview with Adelita Grijalva

[14:20]

• Grijalva expresses suspicion that her delayed swearing-in is specifically to block her signature on the discharge petition, spotlighting how procedural gamesmanship is being used to protect privileged interests.

"So, I'm sort of wondering why in two weeks the rules are so different and maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm number two eighteen, I don't know."
—Adelita Grijalva [14:57]

6. Right-Wing Rationalizations & Internal Dissent

[15:13]

• Clip played of Bannon leading a right-wing event, confronting whether DOJ/FBI is credible on Epstein, with a guest stating:

"In 2016, we trusted the plan with Trump, but now Trump has become the deep state... What is more deep state than covering up for pedophiles?"
—Guest at Bannon's Event [15:35]

7. Democratic Strategy Moving Forward

[16:37]

• Rep. Garcia outlines next steps: Subpoenas, getting remaining files from the Epstein estate, following whistleblower leads within DOJ, FBI, and NY financial circles.
• Bipartisan moment: Garcia notes that some GOP members have crossed over to support full file release.

"We won a bipartisan subpoena of the full Epstein files unredacted from the Department of Justice… that was done in a way where some Republicans… joined us."
—Rep. Robert Garcia [17:35]

• Transparency for All: Democrats are indiscriminately releasing information, even those potentially implicating party friends (e.g., Bill Clinton).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Ben Meiselas [03:59]:
  "They show meetings with Steve Bannon, Peter Thiel, and a potential visit to Epstein’s island for Elon Musk. Prince Andrew is listed as a passenger on Epstein’s jet."
• Ben Meiselas [09:50]:
  "No, we want you to release the Epstein files is what we want you to release. There's about three to four terabytes of it."
• Adelita Grijalva [14:57]:
  "Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I'm number two eighteen, I don't know."
• Bannon Event Guest [15:35]:
  "What is more deep state than covering up for pedophiles? Why would you go to that island? Why would you go on the plane?"
• Rep. Robert Garcia [17:35]:
  "We won a bipartisan subpoena of the full Epstein files unredacted from the Department of Justice…"

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:47] – Introduction to the new Epstein files from House Oversight Dems, major names revealed
• [06:20] – DOJ stonewalling and Trump/MAGA resistance, details & motivations
• [07:30] – Highlights from Epstein’s daily schedules and manifests (Bannon, Thiel, Musk, etc.)
• [10:37] – Trump responds with deflection about Amelia Earhart files
• [11:15] – Graphic discussion of disturbing content in the Epstein “birthday book”
• [14:20] – Adelita Grijalva’s interview: GOP stalling her swearing-in, procedural tactics
• [15:13] – Steve Bannon’s event: Conservative self-critique of Trump’s “deep state” turn
• [16:37] – Rep. Garcia on next investigative steps & bipartisan subpoena win

Conclusion

The MeidasTouch brothers’ analysis connects the dots between Epstein’s high-powered associates, the alleged cover-up tactics of Trump-aligned Republicans, and the historic political drama gripping Congress over government transparency. Emphasizing the bipartisan will for truth and exposing efforts to suppress the release of full Epstein files, the hosts warn that the looming “Epstein shutdown” is emblematic of bigger democratic stakes at play.

Final Reminder:

“We all want the release of the Epstein files. MAGA Republicans want the Epstein government shutdown right now. We’ll keep you posted every step of the way here on the MeidasTouch Network.”
—Ben Meiselas [18:45]