The Rest Is Politics: US – "The Royal Arrest: Why Trump's Epstein Problem Won't Go Away"

Episode 159 – February 19, 2026
Hosts: Anthony Scaramucci (“The Mooch”) & Katty Kay

Episode Overview

This episode dives into two headline-grabbing developments:

1. The arrest of former Prince Andrew in the UK, following the release of Epstein files, and its stark contrast with American (in)action towards figures implicated in the scandal.
2. The Trump administration’s strategy as the midterms approach, focusing on Republican efforts to regroup and manage the president’s unpredictable campaign style amid concerns about his liability and the party’s prospects.

Throughout, Katty and Anthony dissect themes of elite accountability, political partisanship, and the persistent shadow of Jeffrey Epstein over both British and American power networks.

1. Royal Arrest & the Epstein Fallout

[00:32-19:22]

The Breaking News: Prince Andrew Arrested

• Former Prince Andrew has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following the release of DOJ emails relating to Epstein. Police raids happened at his UK residences.
• Katty sets the context: “Not since 1647 has a member of the British royal family been arrested. That was Charles I, who ended up losing his head a couple of years later. That's unlikely to happen this time around.” [00:32, Katty Kay]

Contrasts in Accountability: UK vs. US

• UK officials, including Andrew, have faced legal action due to the Epstein files; in contrast, in the US, no senior government officials have yet faced similar scrutiny.
• “There is accountability in the private sector, but if you are a Republican, you're effectively, it looks like being protected at the moment…” [01:55, Katty Kay]
• She highlights how Democrats flew to depose Les Wexner but no Republicans appeared.

Epstein Connections and Political Fallout

• Discussion of who’s implicated: In the UK, government officials are under scrutiny. In the US, it’s largely business and academic figures, but Katty notes, “Donald Trump is all over those files.” [05:18, Katty Kay]
• Allegations discussed:
  • Gav (Mooch) raises rumors about Trump in Epstein files: “Ted Lieu has made allegations…that Trump was raping children. Now, again, I don't know if this is true or not, but he's suggesting that it's in the document.” [07:53, Gav]
  • Katty clarifies: “I did ask Congressman Subramaniam directly about that… and he said he has not seen any evidence of that. And he's a Democrat.” [08:11, Katty Kay]

Systemic Barriers and Non-Prosecution

• Anthony outlines the long-standing non-prosecution agreement extended to Epstein and unnamed co-conspirators by Alex Acosta, connecting the reluctance to prosecute to previous intelligence community pressure:
  • “Acosta was told…to go lenient on Epstein because there was some intelligence-related matters associated with him.” [08:35, Gav]
• Katty observes the partisan origins of current outrage: "This started as largely a MAGA issue, right? It was MAGA pushing for the release of the files…then Donald Trump gets into office and decides, actually, you know what? I don't want to release these files…” [10:26, Katty Kay]

The "Epstein Class" and Money’s Influence

• “There is a group of powerful people who will protect other powerful people. And at the moment, the spotlight is on Republicans because it's Republicans who are in office…” [11:27, Katty Kay]
• She points to Les Wexner’s donations to Republicans and how these financial ties blunt accountability.

MAGA's Calculus and Trump's Political Risk

• Anthony wonders: “If the former prince has information related to me, and if he goes on trial...how do we know that these files don't go on the public record in a UK court?...Some of that is, like, really damaging to President Trump.” [13:32, Gav]
• The calculation: Trump's attacks on other figures (e.g., Mandelson) risk keeping the scandal alive in the news cycle, potentially exposing him if the UK trial surfaces new material.

Private vs. Public Accountability

• Katty notes, “The accountability has been much more in the private sector…People…step down…but because none of those people are being deposed in a court of law, they're not spilling any beans.” [15:23, Katty Kay]
• Names include Brad Karp (Paul Weiss), Larry Summers, Bill Gates pulling out of events, and Thomas Pritzker retiring.

The Ghislaine Maxwell Wild Card

• Gav floats the possibility of Ghislaine Maxwell testifying (remotely) in the UK: “If I am the defense attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell, I'm going to put pressure on Blanche and the DOJ to get my client pardoned...” [16:36, Gav]
• Katty observes, “I think they would rather Ghislaine Maxwell not say very much. That's why they moved her…to what's known as the prison summer camp down in Texas...” [17:42, Katty Kay]

The Psychology of Trump and Accountability

• Katty: "He kind of ran as a sort of backlash against accountability…So I wonder whether actually Donald Trump's supporters in the same way…they don't really want him or expect him to be held accountable.” [18:25, Katty Kay]
• Gav: “Trump moves the goalposts on everybody. It's a loyalty test. It's forever a loyalty test.” [19:22, Gav]

2. GOP Midterm Strategy – Managing the Trump Problem

[22:30–38:01]

White House Tries to Rally Congressional Republicans

• Katty sets the scene: the administration organized a meeting at the Capitol Hill Club with top White House political staff, Cabinet members, and Republican Congress members to calm nerves over 2026 midterm prospects.
• “They have a plan for how they're going to do that…they are focused on your issues. We understand that your constituents are very focused on affordability, prices, the economy…” [22:35, Katty Kay]
• The problem: “We have a president who is bored of the issue of affordability. And he's going to talk about Iran or Greenland or anything else apart from the issues…” [23:15, Katty Kay]

Trump as “Ungovernable Campaign Asset”

• Gav: “His people, his staff are saying…he's an ungovernable campaign asset. Right? That's what his staff is saying. And the Congress knows that.” [24:47, Gav]
• Discussion of how Congressional Republicans are boxed in—the risk of Trump's wrath keeps them loyal during primaries, deterring independence or criticism.

The Dynamic of Fear and Partisan Loyalty

• Katty: “All of these members of Congress are in the primaries…they're terrified of Donald Trump weighing in on their primary…So you're not going to hear any of them distance themselves from Donald Trump at least until June when the primary season is over.” [25:27, Katty Kay]
• Gav: “Some of them peel away…over Epstein…over Greenland. But I don't see a big rush for the exits, do you?” [26:47, Gav]

Trump’s War Chest and Control

• Trump fundraising: $300 million for midterms, $437 million overall. Gav credits him for innovative fundraising but warns that he will use funds for personal purposes and only selectively:
  • “Forget it…he's not gonna give it to you, okay?...He wants you to lose…He wants you to be nobodies after he leaves, which is a sign of his narcissistic greatness in his freebrile old man's mind.” [37:20, Gav]

Signs of MAGA/Trump Divergence

• Gav points to Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie: “They see themselves as MAGA loyalists, which is different from being a Trump loyalist.” [27:46, Gav]

Predictions: Will the GOP Turn on Trump?

• Gav: “I think they're going to get slayed in the midterms, and I think they're going to turn on him after a catastrophic midterm loss.” [28:20, Gav]
• Katty: “You think they would turn on him if there's a big midterm loss…and I guess you're putting that at like 30 to 50 seats, right?” [28:37, Katty Kay]

The Broader "Throw the Bums Out" Mood

• Gav explains: “I feel like we are in a throw the bums out moment in America…if you went to the average American and said you could jettison every Democrat…every Republican… I would say most Americans would say, yeah…So we're in a throw the bums out mentality.” [29:13, Gav]

Trump’s Loss of Touch with Base?

• Katty: “The big difference now…he's telling them lies about how they feel, not about how he feels…he's not telling them Donald Trump is rich. He's telling them they are rich. And they're like, I'm not rich. I don't believe this lie you're peddling to me…” [31:21, Katty Kay]

Texas Senate Race Case Study

• Role-play on Cornyn vs. Paxton; Trump is expected not to support establishment figures who have crossed him.
• Katty: “Ken Paxton loves Donald Trump. And Donald Trump thinks that John Cornyn has opposed him one too many times…But I spoke to somebody…who told me that even his father, who is a Trump supporter...will not vote for Ken Paxton.” [34:04–36:06, Katty Kay]
• Gav concludes: “Let me help these guys out. Forget it. And by the way, the $300 million, he's not giving it to you…He cares about Donald Trump and that money…” [37:20, Gav]

3. Notable Quotes & Standout Moments

• “There is a group of powerful people who will protect other powerful people. And at the moment, the spotlight is on Republicans…” — Katty Kay [11:27]
• “Trump moves the goalposts on everybody. It's a loyalty test. It's forever a loyalty test.” — Gav [19:22]
• “His people…are saying…he's an ungovernable campaign asset.” — Gav [24:47]
• “You're not going to hear any of them distance themselves from Donald Trump at least until June when the primary season is over.” — Katty Kay [25:27]
• “I think they're going to get slayed in the midterms, and I think they're going to turn on him after a catastrophic midterm loss.” — Gav [28:20]
• “He's telling them lies about how they feel, not about how he feels. So…they're like, I'm not rich. I don't believe this lie you're peddling to me…” — Katty Kay [31:21]

4. Key Segment Timestamps

• [00:32] – Katty introduces Prince Andrew’s arrest, outlines themes for the episode.
• [03:52] – Gav on specific allegations against Andrew.
• [07:53] – Gav and Katty discuss rumors and allegations concerning Trump and the Epstein files.
• [13:32] – Analysis of political parties’ response to Epstein fallout.
• [19:22] – Gav on Trump’s approach to loyalty and accountability.
• [22:35] – Katty breaks down the midterm strategy meeting.
• [24:47] – Discussion of Trump as a political liability and staff frustration.
• [29:13] – “Throw the bums out” sentiment in the US electorate.
• [34:04] – Texas Senate race and the Trump/Cornyn/Paxton dynamic.
• [37:20] – Gav on Trump’s expected use of campaign resources and attitude toward the party.

5. Episode Takeaways

• The Prince Andrew arrest is a milestone for public accountability in the UK and a sharp contrast to the culture of protection and impunity in the US political class—especially among Republicans.
• The Epstein scandal continues to haunt elites, with a partisan divide in how calls for accountability are handled and dampened by financial entanglements.
• Trump remains an unpredictable factor for the GOP, wielding immense control through intimidation and money, yet increasingly seen as a liability.
• Republican leadership is stuck: They fear Trump’s interference in their primaries, but also recognize the risk he poses to their electoral success.
• There’s a growing sense among voters of deep disenchantment with both parties, fueling a “throw the bums out” mentality that may define 2026.
• Despite scandals and strategic missteps, Trump’s personality cult and the lack of a clear successor make internal GOP change before the midterms highly unlikely.

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