Timcast IRL – "ITS HAPPENING w/ Robbie Bernstein"
Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Tim Pool, with Libby Emmons, Brett Dasic, Phil Labonte, Carter Banks
Guest: Robbie Bernstein
Episode Overview
This episode of Timcast IRL dives into the explosive revelations surrounding Prince (now former Prince) Andrew’s alleged arrest for leaking state secrets to Jeffrey Epstein, the ongoing implications of the Epstein files, and their effect on transatlantic politics. The panel also unpacks speculation about government transparency regarding extraterrestrial life after some suggestive comments from Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Layered throughout are sharp critiques of US and UK governmental institutions, digital-age media manipulation, and a dose of comedic relief from guest Robbie Bernstein.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Prince Andrew’s Arrest & the Epstein Files
[09:09 - 23:42]
- Prince Andrew has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office — specifically for allegedly leaking confidential government information to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Tim Pool summarizes the media landscape: “He is facing life in prison, which is pretty dang wild.” [01:30]
- The group discusses the popular theory that Epstein was running a blackmail operation for foreign intelligence by entrapping world leaders and elites.
- Robbie Bernstein: “If other countries are taking this seriously, it puts more pressure on the United States government to actually investigate.” [15:02]
- Libby Emmons notes the collateral impact in the UK, with Labor party officials and associates facing fallout.
- Panel voices frustration that despite the crimes allegedly being most central in the US, meaningful legal action is happening overseas first.
Notable Quotes:
- Phil Labonte: “Imagine being such a scumbag that you get booted from being a prince.” [09:09]
- Tim Pool: “Andrew is a scumbag. And now he is in deep, deep trouble.” [13:17]
- Brett Dasic: “It’s easy to lose faith when every day it’s horrors—nothing happens.” [15:17]
- Robbie Bernstein: “I actually see this as a giant white pill...the wheel’s starting to turn...because it’s not going away.” [18:34]
Timestamps:
- [09:09] – Prince Andrew’s arrest and public reaction
- [13:17] – Tim Pool summarizes Andrew's predicament and theories of blackmail
- [15:17] – American inaction vs. UK prosecutions
2. US Government, Epstein, and Political Accountability
[23:03 - 25:00]
- Criticisms of the US government’s shrug towards the Epstein case.
- Tim Pool and Phil Labonte dissect how accusations against Trump surface in recently released FBI files—a number which they say are “over the top absurd” and likely politically motivated.
- Tim Pool: “Claims against Trump in these files are beyond that level...the stupidest thing I have ever heard.” [21:26]
- The episode also covers cold tips and wild, easily debunked conspiracy theories submitted to the FBI (e.g., celebrity connections).
3. Les Wexner’s Deposition – Threat or Joke?
[25:00 - 30:22]
- The panel reacts to a viral video snippet in which Wexner’s lawyer whispers, “I will f***ing kill you if you answer another question with more than five words.”
- Robbie Bernstein and others take it as a tough-love lawyer move, not a true threat, although the optics are bad amid conspiracy-fueled discourse.
- Libby Emmons: "You’re rewarded for making stuff up…it’s why ad revenue is the worst thing to happen to X.” [29:04]
- They lament the incentive structure online that rewards sensationalism over substance.
4. Mainstreaming of “Conspiracy Theories”
[30:22 - 33:57]
- In a tongue-in-cheek exchange, the group notes the progressive left is now echoing what was formerly branded as "QAnon," suggesting elites are engaged in secret “cabal”-level conduct.
- Tim Pool: “Isn’t it fascinating the left has become QAnon?...Welcome to the club.” [30:31]
- Broader discussion includes term limits, government corruption, and the inevitability of power’s corruptive influence.
5. Polarized Politics and the 2026 Elections
[33:57 - 39:14]
- Discussion on how war, particularly with Iran, could play into the US election cycle.
- Phil Labonte speculates: “If the economy is gangbusters, Republicans can win. If not, they cannot win.” [33:24]
- The panel debates how a large-scale foreign military event would reframe voter priorities, especially with boomers making up a diminishing but still influential pro-establishment bloc.
6. Aliens, Government Secrecy, and Social Reaction
[39:14 - 46:55]
- Trump’s enigmatic comments (“He gave away classified information”) about Obama’s suggestion that aliens are real, and the ripple effect it caused in media discourse.
- The group jokes about how normalized alien talk has become: “The probability that they announce the existence of aliens…and we actually see aliens is going up a lot.” (Tim Pool, [42:22])
- Theories range from government psyops, slow "disclosure," to everyday indifference if actual first contact were confirmed.
Memorable Moment:
- Robbie Bernstein: “If aliens actually showed up, I’d be the first to die—I’d think it’s a government illusion.” [44:12]
- The conversation transforms into playful sci-fi conspiracy theorizing, including the classic "humans were engineered to mine gold" motif and Area 51 myths.
7. Political Slogans and the Decline of Discourse
[57:40 - 63:25]
- The group reacts to Illinois Democrat Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton’s viral “F*** Trump” Senate campaign ad.
- Tim Pool: “We are so far gone...y’all are just rolling around in it like pigs in shit.” [58:21]
- Phil Labonte: “The upper house is supposed to be...people with poise...not clowns. This is a clown show.” [60:55]
- Conversation pivots to failing city governance in Chicago and the Chicago Bears leaving due to sky-high property taxes.
8. Generation Z, AI Content, and Media Manipulation
[80:21 - 89:26]
- Extensive breakdown of how AI-generated content and engagement "farming" (misspellings, comment baiting, looping videos) are now flooding digital platforms.
- Tim Pool: “You are in YouTube’s algorithmic bubble...Gen Z doesn’t actually make content anymore. They make their algorithm farming.” [80:32]
- Discussion on the shallow information environment, and how AI is increasingly automating not just content, but even job "hiring" via intelligent agents.
9. Social Decline, Parenting, and Education
[71:45 - 77:46]
- Viral video and a news story about a student injured during an anti-ICE protest—raising questions about student safety, discipline, and political activism in schools.
- Tim Pool and Libby Emmons argue for homeschooling and stricter discipline.
- Phil Labonte: “All the schools of education are completely inundated with leftists…teachers should have to wear body cams, too.” [76:54]
10. Lighter Fare: Movies, Sleep, and Culture
[105:03 - 109:28]
- Breezy debates about why Hollywood can’t make “good movies” anymore and jokes about Jason Statham movie premises.
- Libby and others riff on what they'd do after the "machine breaks"—open a restaurant, farm chickens, or run a bed and breakfast.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- Tim Pool: “Arrest him now. When the worst stuff comes out, we can say, see, we arrested them.” [17:16]
- Robbie Bernstein: “This is a very promising storyline because it’s not going away.” [18:34]
- Tim Pool: “Claims against Trump in these files are beyond that level...the stupidest thing I have ever heard.” [21:26]
- Phil Labonte: “I feel like the idea of term limits is a double-edged sword...then you end up with the bureaucrats doing more.” [31:39]
- Tim Pool: “The content Gen Z is making right now—they’re spam blasting AI slop.” [80:32]
- Tim Pool: “You get to do GTA missions in the future, essentially.” [88:39]
- Robbie Bernstein (re: aliens): “I would be the first to die.” [44:12]
- Libby Emmons (re: Chicago): “People are going to have to sell their homes to afford property taxes—his goal to eliminate private property is happening.” [66:42]
- Phil Labonte: “The upper house is supposed to be people…with poise, a little more dignity. This is a clown show.” [60:55]
Additional Highlights
- Discussion on the degradation of political discourse, exemplified by profanity-laced campaign ads and attention-grabbing stunts.
- Regular jokes and tangents, especially from Robbie Bernstein, infuse comic relief.
- In-depth critique of generational shifts in content production, the AI-driven future, and what it means for media literacy.
- Conversations regularly loop back to the necessity for real government transparency, skepticism toward official narratives, and the existential (often comic) possibilities of confirmed life beyond Earth.
Episode Structure/Flow
- Opening ~[01:30-08:33]: Banter, sponsor reads, guest/host intros
- Main Block ~[09:09-46:55]: Prince Andrew, Epstein, foreign intelligence, and US/UK governmental response
- Middle Block ~[46:55-76:54]: Conspiracies, term limits, aliens, cultural polarization, and the politics of outrage
- Late Block ~[80:21-109:28]: AI/Gen Z content, education/parenting, sleep and ad revenue, movies, comic tangents
- Closing ~[109:28-126:00]: Callouts, event plugs, show announcements
For listeners:
This episode is a rapid-fire, irreverent, and in-depth discussion for those interested in current events, political accountability, the culture of conspiracies, and the latest zeitgeist in tech and media manipulation. It pulls few punches and is laced with dark humor, skepticism, and the panel's signature freewheeling tone.
Plugged Projects & Final Links
- Robbie Bernstein: Stand-up shows in Perryville, MD (Fifth Company Brewery); Podcast, “Run Your Mouth”
- Libby Emmons: Pod Millennial podcast feat. Tim Pool, Drea De Matteo, etc.
- Brett Dasic: Pop Culture Crisis (YouTube/Rumble)
- Phil Labonte: Touring with All That Remains (April/May)
- Tim Pool: Cast Brew Coffee, Pod Millennial, and Timcast IRL on Rumble
Episode available at rumble.com/timcastIRL. For more, follow @Timcast and guests on X/Instagram.
