The Tony Kinnett Cast – Episode 451 Detailed Summary

Theme Overview:
This episode takes aim at two major news stories: the Republican failure to censure Rep. Stacy Plaskett for her ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and explosive investigative reporting about $100 million in corruption in Ukraine – implicating the Zelensky administration. The show blends sharp political commentary, inside baseball on Congressional dealings, and deep-dive journalism with guests Elizabeth Mitchell (White House correspondent) and Steve Cortez (Ukraine corruption investigator).

1. The Republican “Flop” on Censuring Epstein-Collaborator (Stacy Plaskett)

Background:

• Host Tony Kinnett opens by expressing exasperation over the Republican Party’s inability to secure a censure against Rep. Stacy Plaskett (US Virgin Islands, non-voting member), who was caught coordinating with Jeffrey Epstein—even after his conviction as a child sex offender.
• Kinnett’s Take: This should have been, in his words, “low-hanging fruit, walk in the park easy. How do they possibly mess that up?” (03:15)

Key Points and Quotes

A. The Plaskett-Epstein Connection:

• Plaskett sent and received texts with Epstein in 2019, taking direct instructions for committee hearings and attacks on Trump.

• Kinnett plays revelatory clips of Plaskett attempting to downplay the relationship:

  • Plaskett on House floor:

    “At the time [Epstein] was my constituent, who was not public knowledge at that time that he was under federal investigation.” – [04:42]

  • Kinnett’s reaction:

    “Aren’t you a member of the freaking Oversight and Judiciary Committee? ... Maybe if you’re buds with the other squad members ... you might let someone know ...” – [05:00]

• Plaskett on CNN:

  • “Having a friendship with him is not something that I would deem to have. And so I’m just looking forward. I’m moving forward.” [05:45]

• Kinnett mocks this evasiveness:

  “He told her to stop chewing. … Goodness gracious.” – [06:03]

B. Republican Opportunity Fumbled:

• Kinnett’s rationale: The Republicans had a “free shot” to take political advantage of Democratic mismanagement (Plaskett’s Epstein collaboration), but failed to deliver.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi’s previous mishandling of the Epstein files is mentioned as context for Republican frustration and lost momentum.

C. How The Censure Got Killed: The Backroom Deal

• Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL) challenges House procedure:
  • “Why [are] leadership on both sides... cutting back end deals to cover up public corruption in the House of Representatives from both Republican and Democrat members?” – [12:28]
• Kinnett’s commentary:

  “Some people had some backroom conversations … and it looks like the votes are changing. May I ask, my good friend, what in the heck is happening?” – [12:55]

D. Rep. Tim Burchett (TN) Explains the Deal:

• “The disgusting thing ... was four Republicans chose not to vote. Three Republicans voted present. And three Republicans voted no. So it failed. And what they did was they cut a deal ... on another ethics vote on a Republican ... [to protect] people on there who are chairman of committees ... It’s bogus, and it stinks.” – [13:38]

E. Who Was the Deal For?

The Case of Rep. Corey Mills (FL):

• Mills is the subject of multiple allegations: confirmed sextortion, alleged stolen valor, unpaid debts, harassment, and more.

• Kinnett:

  “There’s too many stories … Corey Mills is a scumbag of a human being. … All of this free political capital … traded it all away on a censure vote. Why? For one of the scummiest Republicans currently sitting in Congress, a grifter of grifters.” – [17:00-20:04]

• Rep. Nancy Mace (SC) introduces a resolution to censure Mills:

  “Now Therefore, be it resolved that Representative Corey Mills be censured … and is hereby removed from the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House.” – [22:21]

F. Democratic Fumbles, Too

• Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY, Minority Leader):
  • Offers a vague, evasive defense, justifying bipartisan defeat of the Plaskett censure:

    “…The resolution that was introduced targeting Stacy Plaskett was defeated ... in a bipartisan way. … including the fact that it was a dramatic overreach.” – [23:40]

  • Kinnett: “He doesn’t even understand. … Well done. Way to go. Stellar stuff. Now the momentum’s gone.” – [24:17]

G. Congressional Sound and Fury:

• Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) derails the discussion by confusing other donors named Jeffrey Epstein (not the Epstein), leading to Kinnett’s sarcastic monologue mocking her misunderstanding and tone. [25:03–27:09]
• Kinnett’s summary:

  “How you somehow fumble political capital … is beyond me.” – [27:33]

2. H1B Visas and MAGA Discord: White House Insider Analysis

Guest: Elizabeth Mitchell (White House correspondent)

A. Internal Trump Administration Divide:

• After Trump’s remarks on wanting more H1B visa talent, MAGA base angered—sees as undermining American workers.
• Two factions in the administration:
  • Those wanting to eliminate H1Bs.
  • Those favoring reform but continued access to top foreign talent.
• Both sides agree abuse of H1B is rampant; the “how” of reform is disputed. [29:32–30:31]
• Trump is being pulled by “tech people” (e.g., Elon Musk), who praise H1Bs, and “America First” hardliners (e.g., Marjorie Taylor Greene) who oppose them. [31:24]
• Notable Crossover: Left-wingers like Bernie Sanders align with America Firsters in opposition to H1Bs. [33:00]

B. Policy Uncertainty:

• Trump is responsive to polls and base reaction; his final position unclear.
• Mitchell:

  “The President is definitely saying, being pro-H1B, he really likes them. … But there is disagreement within his administration...” – [33:59]

C. Reform Focus:

• J.D. Vance, seen as staunchly pro-Trump, attempts to “bridge” between needing limited, top-tier H1Bs and prioritizing American jobs. [34:59]
• Mitchell:

  “Sometimes we’re going to need H1Bs … but we want very few of those people, only the very best.” – [34:59]

3. $100 Million Stolen in Ukraine: Operation Midas Exposé with Steve Cortez

Guest: Steve Cortez (Investigative Journalist, cortezinvestigates.com)

A. Massive Corruption Detailed

• $100 million stolen from the Ukrainian treasury in the so-called “Operation Midas” scandal. Evidence includes a literal gold toilet.
• Ringleader: Timur Mindich—very close confidante of President Zelensky (godfathers to each other’s children), part of a “very corrupt cabal that ... runs that country and steals from their own people.”
• Funds fleeced from Department of Energy; used for luxury developments (“Dynasty” housing). [36:18–37:10]
• When Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) tried to investigate, Zelensky used his security (SBU) to raid NABU and arrest lead detective Razoloff under bogus Russia-collusion charges. [40:34–43:20]
• Mindich remains at large in Israel, while honest investigators languish in jail.

Key Quote:

“The scumbag thief Mindich is sitting living in luxury right now in Israel, and the honest cop who was investigating him is sitting in a prison in Ukraine. That’s pretty upside down, I’d say.” – Steve Cortez, [43:20]

B. Context: Why U.S. Should Care

• U.S. aid to Ukraine is “hundreds of billions” of borrowed dollars; with the perpetrators in power, expects theft to continue.
• Cortez makes clear: Criticizing Zelensky does NOT mean supporting Putin; demand accountability from U.S. allies. [44:34]
• Ukrainian citizens suffering: harsh winter, energy shortages, loss of life and livelihood, “villages with no men left”. [44:34–45:00]

Key Quote:

“We cannot have a long-term partnership with a leader who we clearly cannot trust. In Zelensky. ... [He is] thoroughly and systemically corrupt.” – Steve Cortez, [39:45]

C. Peace Deal Negotiation & Political Impact

• Financial Times and Axios report U.S.-Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations; potentially involves Ukraine ceding more territory to Russia in exchange for U.S. security guarantees (a “Marshall Plan” of sorts). [49:24–52:51]
• Cortez’s sources mostly confirm the reporting, noting that Zelensky’s “maximalist” stance is now crumbling because of the scandal’s exposure:
  • “Zelensky has mostly in these negotiations taken a very maximalist approach ... But now that he’s in a very, very weak political position at home ... he is not in a position to take that maximalist approach.” – Steve Cortez, [53:05]
• Kinnett suggests the corruption scandal may force Zelensky to accept a peace deal he previously resisted.
• Zelensky postponing elections is criticized; Cortez demands U.S. use leverage to insist on democratic accountability. [47:35]

Comic Relief:

• Corrupt cabal enforces a “Dynasty” development (after the TV show), has fixers named “Sugar Man” and “Che Guevara.” [49:04]

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tony Kinnett: “All of this free political capital ... traded it all away on a censure vote. Why? For one of the scummiest Republicans currently sitting in Congress, a grifter of grifters.” [20:04]
• Tim Burchett (R-TN): “It’s bogus, and it stinks. ... First opportunity I get to speak to our leadership, I will give them a piece of my mind ... they’re the most sewer-dwelling people ... some of these folks.” [13:38]
• Elizabeth Mitchell: “The one thing that unites both those factions is everyone knows there are way too many abuses of H1B visas.” [29:32]
• Steve Cortez: “We now have the evidence from within [Ukraine] ... just how vast and pernicious this corruption is.” [39:45]
• Steve Cortez: “The scumbag thief Mindich is sitting living in luxury right now in Israel, and the honest cop who was investigating him is sitting in a prison in Ukraine. That’s pretty upside down, I’d say.” [43:20]
• Tony Kinnett (sarcastically on Democratic evasions): “Well done. Way to go. Stellar stuff. Now the momentum's gone. You proud of yourselves? Morons.” [24:17]

5. Key Timestamps by Segment

• Opening Rant / Plaskett-Epstein Recap: 00:42–08:32
• Republican Censure Failure & Deal-Making: 08:33–15:43
• The Corey Mills Factor: 15:43–23:20
• Democratic Missteps (Jeffries, Crockett): 23:20–27:33
• H1B Visa Internal GOP Fight (Elizabeth Mitchell): 29:32–35:43
• Ukraine $100M Corruption Scandal (Steve Cortez): 36:02–55:33

Conclusion & Tone

• Style: Combative, sardonic, with moments of detailed investigative insight.
• Overall Message: Both parties are complicit in protecting their own at the expense of accountability; U.S. policy (immigration and foreign aid) is hamstrung by incompetence and cronyism. Only transparency, investigative journalism, and public pressure can change entrenched dysfunction.

End Note:
The episode concludes with Kinnett and Cortez promising follow-up investigations into youth political shifts and more on Ukraine, highlighting the show’s ongoing commitment to exposing corruption and horse-trading on both sides of the aisle.