The Parnas Perspective

Episode: Breaking: White House Panics as United Nations Finds Epstein Files Equate to Crimes Against Humanity
Host: Aaron Parnas
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode explores major breaking news: the United Nations' determination that files related to Jeffrey Epstein contain evidence likely amounting to crimes against humanity, with significant global and domestic ramifications. Host Aaron Parnas (with commentary from journalists and political figures) unpacks what the UN findings mean, the political fallout in Washington, the White House's panic, and connects these developments to broader international crises, including a looming major war in the Middle East and shifting global alliances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. United Nations Finds "Crimes Against Humanity" in Epstein Files

[01:19–04:36]

• UN Panel Findings:
  The UN Human Rights Council's independent expert panel reviewed millions of documents—released by the US Justice Department—relating to Jeffrey Epstein and his global network. These experts stated that the evidence amounts to a “global criminal enterprise” constituting crimes against humanity.
  • Quote (UN Panel, via Independent Journalist):

    “So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal thresholds of crimes against humanity.” [02:45]

  • The crimes occurred amid “supremacist beliefs, racism, corruption and extreme misogyny.”
  • The experts call for an “independent, thorough, and impartial investigation” not only into the crimes themselves, but also institutional failures that allowed these abuses to persist for so long.
• Justice Department Criticized:
  UN experts flagged serious compliance failures, including botched redactions that exposed sensitive victim information, and accused authorities of “institutional gaslighting” that left survivors retraumatized.

2. Capitol Hill Fallout and High-Stakes Congressional Deposition

[03:30–04:10]

• Les Wexner Deposition:
  The House Oversight Committee, with bipartisan participation, is deposing Les Wexner, a billionaire and alleged Epstein co-conspirator, in Ohio.
  • Key question: Will Wexner invoke the Fifth Amendment?
  • Framed as a “critical day” for accountability.

3. Political Maneuvering: Partisan Narratives and High-Profile Accusations

[04:36–05:32]

• Trump and Clinton in the Epstien Files:
  Political commentator and Congressman Ted Lieu calls attention to Donald Trump’s name appearing “thousands and thousands of times” in the files and references disturbing allegations, including rape and threats against children.
  • Quote (Ted Lieu):

    “So why are Republicans so interested in Bill and Hillary Clinton? It’s because they're trying to distract from the fact that Donald Trump is in the Epstein files thousands and thousands of times... highly disturbing allegations of Donald Trump raping children, of Donald Trump threatening to kill children.” [04:42]

  • Lieu also corrects Deputy Attorney General Ty Blanche’s claim that attending Epstein’s parties was not a crime:

    “If Jeffrey Epstein was human trafficking minors for these sex parties and you show up and patronize the establishment at that party—yes, you’re guilty.” [05:16]

4. Broader International Context: Looming War in the Middle East

[05:32–08:16]

• US Poised for Large-Scale Military Campaign:
  Sourced from Axios, the episode reports on preparations for what could be a “massive, weeks-long campaign” against Iran, likely in concert with Israel.
  • The US has deployed major firepower: 2 aircraft carriers, dozens of warships, “hundreds of fighter jets,” and a major airlift of weaponry into the region.
  • Quote (Independent Journalist):

    “In just the past 24 hours, another 50 fighter jets—F-35s, F-22s, F-16s—are all now headed to the region... we could be in a full-fledged war in the Middle East in just about a few days or weeks.” [06:57]

• Political Calculations and the State of the Union:
  Trump’s administration is strategizing how to shore up political support, especially with poor polling numbers, including plans for cabinet members to visit swing states.
  • The upcoming State of the Union (Trump’s first in his second term) is expected to be pivotal.

5. Shift in Global Alliances: The ‘Board of Peace’ and the Vatican’s Rebuff

[08:16–09:15]

• Pope Rejects Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Invitation:
  The Vatican publicly states the Pope will not join, reiterating faith in the UN as the arbiter of international crises.
  • Quote (Independent Journalist):

    “The reason why the Pope isn’t joining... is because the Pope believes the proper body to adjudicate crises and oversee crises across the world is the United Nations, not the Board of Peace.” [08:32]

• Implications:
  The episode highlights how few major US allies have joined Trump’s board, suggesting a drift in traditional alliances and a “new world order” dynamic.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On UN’s Findings:
  • “Allegations contained within the files require an independent, thorough and impartial investigation, saying that inquiry should also be launched for how it was possible for such crimes to be committed for so long.” (Independent Journalist, [02:57])
• On Institutional Failures and Survivors:
  • “The reluctance to fully disclose information or broaden investigations has left many survivors feeling re-traumatized and subjected to what they describe as institutional gaslighting.” (Independent Journalist, [03:15])
• Congressman Ted Lieu on Political Diversions:
  • “They’re trying to distract from the fact that Donald Trump is in the Epstein files thousands and thousands of times.” ([04:44])
  • “It is not a crime to party with Jeffrey Epstein...? That’s actually not correct... Yes, you’re guilty.” ([05:16])
• On US Escalation in the Middle East:
  • “We are now entering a very critical moment... we could be in a full fledged war in the Middle East in just about a few days or weeks.” ([07:05])
• On the Pope’s Refusal:
  • “The proper body to adjudicate crises and oversee crises across the world is the United Nations, is not the Board of Peace.” ([08:32])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• UN’s Crimes Against Humanity Findings Announced:
  [01:19–03:30]
• Epstein Files: Institutional Failures, Survivors’ Trauma:
  [03:15–03:30]
• Les Wexner’s Congressional Deposition:
  [03:30–04:10]
• Congressman Ted Lieu’s Comments on Trump, Clinton, and DOJ:
  [04:36–05:32]
• Middle East War Escalation Details:
  [05:32–07:23]
• White House Polling Concerns & Cabinet Strategies:
  [07:23–08:15]
• Pope Rejects Trump’s Board of Peace, Global Alliances Shift:
  [08:16–09:15]

Recap & Relevance

Aaron Parnas delivers a rapid, thorough unpacking of the international, political, and legal aftershocks triggered by the UN’s bombshell on the Epstein files. The episode makes clear that the story’s fallout is reverberating from Capitol Hill (with direct accusations against ex-President Trump and new legal action against Epstein associates) to the Middle East (with war possible in a matter of days). The rejection of Trump’s “Board of Peace” by the Vatican is portrayed as emblematic of disrupted global alliances and American uncertainty.

Overall, this episode offers a sharp, urgent portrait of a turbulent moment at the intersection of law, politics, and world affairs—capturing exactly the “clarity, speed, and insight” promised by The Parnas Perspective.