Podcast Summary: To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Episode: "Epstein Has Hijacked Trump’s Presidency"

Host: Charlie Sykes
Guest: Tara Palmieri (Host, Tara Palmieri Show; Author, The Red Letter Substack)
Date: February 19, 2026

Overview

This episode tackles the persistent shadow cast by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal over Donald Trump’s presidency, exploring why the story remains undealt with despite intense efforts to distract and contain it. Charlie Sykes and investigative journalist Tara Palmieri dig into failed accountability, the survivors’ ongoing struggle, Epstein’s deep international entanglements, and the growing blast radius for business and political elites.

The discussion ranges from government cover-ups and the DOJ’s withholding of files, to the international reach of Epstein’s network and the political fallout both in the US and abroad. They also weigh in on media complicity, ICE controversies, the state of the 2026 Texas Senate race, and the broader culture of secrecy, power, and reprisals in the Trump era.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Epstein Scandal’s Grip on Trump’s Presidency

• [01:34] The story "won’t go away"; Trump—normally a master of distraction—has been unable to shift focus from Epstein.
• [05:31] Despite international crises, the Epstein files remain ever-present in media and public attention.

2. Pam Bondi’s Congressional Testimony and Survivor Backlash

• [02:51] Sykes asks about former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s refusal to acknowledge Epstein’s survivors at a recent hearing.
• Palmieri: "They were disgusted and hurt... She obviously doesn't understand the gravity of these crimes" (03:06).
  • Bondi’s lack of empathy as a top law enforcement official is deeply troubling.
  • Administration initially styled themselves as defenders of survivors, but only when accusations targeted political opponents.
• Survivors’ Mood:
  • "They're pretty jaded at this point and dejected... but they're hopeful that the story is being highlighted" (19:13).

3. Why Can't Trump Contain the Epstein Story?

• Palmieri: "Epstein orbits around Trump in his inner circle... If you take out one piece, the whole domino [falls]. The last domino to fall is him." (06:08)
• Narrative Control Failure:
  • Trump’s usual strategy—dominating the narrative—doesn’t work as Epstein’s gravitational pull is "way too strong" (08:08).
  • Sykes: “Epstein holds the upper hand,” even though he’s dead.

4. International Fallout and Unequal Accountability

• Sykes: Internationally, high-profile resignations are occurring (e.g., Hyatt CEO, Pritzker; Polish and British government investigations), yet Trump’s inner circle remains untouched (09:56).
• Palmieri: "If anything, this has really solidified [Howard Lutnick’s] position in Trump's orbit because he is not, on Epstein, going to give an inch." (10:41)
  • Trump appears determined to prevent the opposition from taking symbolic victories (“scalps”).

5. DOJ’s Continued Secrecy and Alleged Cover-up

• [10:57] Sykes asks: Is the DOJ covering up?
• Palmieri: "Yes, I do. Because... two and a half million files... are not going to be produced and we don't know why. So they're all for national security?" (11:13)
  • Epstein’s apparent ties to the NSA/CIA referenced—including deposition responses using a "Glomar" denial.
  • Noted story: Epstein’s bodyguard reportedly sent to Langley to pick up documents for him while serving jail time.

6. Epstein as a “Hyper Fixer” and International Operator

• Palmieri: "[Epstein] provided value to a number of governments... access, power, influence... That is how he was able to provide value and get these sweetheart deals." (12:11)
• Discussion of his links to Israeli leadership (Ehud Barak) and skepticism of some Russia ties (13:35).

7. A Global Sex Trafficking Conspiracy?

• Sykes: “We are talking about an international conspiracy... involving multiple governments.”
• Palmieri: "You have to kind of see it that way. I don't think anyone has ever, basically walked around with this level of impunity..." (14:49).

8. The Expanding List of Those Involved

• Survivor Lawyer Perspective:
  • Palmieri notes the number of financial and political elites named: "Why is Les Wexner's name all over Ohio State University still?" (15:18)
  • Guest lists people she’d want to testify: Villafana, Ken Starr, Adam Perry Lang, Ehud Barak, Prince Andrew, Elon Musk, Howard Lutnick, Dr. Oz, Peter Attia, Larry Summers, Michael Cohen, Leslie Groff, Sarah Kellen, Noam Chomsky, Tom Barrack, Netanyahu, Putin, Doug Band (16:00).
• Clinton Questions:
  • Sykes: “What will it be like when Hillary Clinton testifies...?” (17:04)
  • Palmieri: "She’s going to say she doesn’t have a lot of knowledge... Calling in the wife is a strong move if you’re actually going to prosecute." (17:25)

9. Survivor Experience and Frustrations

• Palmieri: Survivors are "happy the story is being highlighted," but feel re-victimized and dejected by the attacks and disbelief, especially on social media after Bondi’s testimony (19:13).
  • Hope persists for more Congressional action and unredacted disclosures.

10. The Media’s Role, Michael Wolff & Michael Cohen

• Michael Wolff:
  • Palmieri: “He had a very close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein... trying to give him advice on how to repair his image... willing to take his money – that's a pretty big line.” (22:36–23:34)
• Michael Cohen:
  • Sykes and Palmieri dissect Cohen’s shifting allegiances and knowledge of Trump’s involvement:
    • "He’s looking for whatever is the most convenient for him... You can't work for a guy like that for so long and... be in charge of fixing, you know, complaints from women..." (25:52–26:32)
    • “There’s no doubt in my mind that [Cohen] knows something... and he hasn’t come completely clean about it.” (25:52)

11. What Comes Next? The Future of the Epstein Files

• DOJ retains vast numbers of unreleased, redacted documents.
• Bondi/Trump insist the story is baseless; investigation appears closed.
• Hope hinges on Democratic control of the House for new, televised hearings.
  • Sykes: "This story feels different... it won't go away..."
  • Palmieri: "If Democrats win the House, I hope they use their subpoena power..." (27:45)

12. Side Stories: Immigration, ICE, and Republican Power Shifts

• Immigration Enforcement & ICE
  • Sykes asks about "the kinder, gentler face of Tom Homan," noting his past scandals as ICE attempts to rebrand (28:56).
  • Palmieri critiques Kristi Noem’s political opportunism and the leaking of abusive ICE footage online: "You can't produce your raids... We all have cameras now, which is amazing for democracy." (33:18)
  • DHS/ICE now subpoenas and targets critics online—“They're going after people...for criticizing the agency..." (34:09)

13. Declining Legacy Media & Rise of Independent Media

• Sykes and Palmieri comment on network capitulations to government pressure (e.g., CBS, Stephen Colbert, Anderson Cooper leaving "60 Minutes").
• Palmieri: "No one tells me not to do stuff... their [networks’] willingness to roll over is disheartening." (36:19)
• Independent media are filling the information gap as legacy institutions falter.

14. Texas Politics and a Possible Dem Senate Win

• Sykes and Palmieri analyze the Texas Senate race, GOP infighting, and the impact of demographic shifts.
• On Ken Paxton: "That guy's creepy...I can't even believe he's still in the race..." (39:51–40:02)
• On John Cornyn: "People associate him with Mitch McConnell...They want fresh blood..." (41:18–44:12)
• Caution against assuming all Hispanic voters are Democratic or monolithic ("last one in the door" mentality) (42:40–43:03).

15. Trump’s Third Term Talk – Power Ebbs and Fantasies

• Sykes questions if Trump’s musings about a third term/nationalizing elections are serious or trolling.
• Palmieri: "He doesn’t have the same sort of sway... Every single day his political gravitas weakens." (45:09)
• Any change to election law would require overwhelming Congressional participation, which seems impossible as Trump’s grip on power loosens.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Epstein orbits around Trump in his inner circle... If you take out one piece, the whole domino [falls]."
  —Tara Palmieri (06:08)

• "The blast radius of this keeps growing day by day."
  —Charlie Sykes (08:54)

• "If Democrats win the House, I hope they use their subpoena power to actually hold hearings."
  —Tara Palmieri (27:45)

• "You can't produce your raids. ... We all have cameras now, which is amazing for democracy."
  —Tara Palmieri (33:18)

• "Survivors are pretty jaded at this point and dejected...but they're hopeful the story is being highlighted."
  —Tara Palmieri (19:13)

• "He has to prop it all up. He's got to prop the house of cards up around Epstein. But Epstein's gravitational pull is way too strong and it's not going away."
  —Tara Palmieri (06:08)

• "Michael Cohen is weirdly now aligning himself with the right... He's looking for whatever is the most convenient for him."
  —Tara Palmieri (24:04, 26:32)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:34 | Why Epstein shadows Trump’s presidency | | 02:51 | Pam Bondi’s testimony; survivor reactions | | 05:31 | Trump’s failure to distract from Epstein | | 06:08 | Epstein’s hold over Trump, “house of cards” analogy | | 09:56 | Global fallout and unequal accountability | | 10:57 | DOJ’s cover-up and secrecy | | 12:11 | Epstein as “hyper fixer” for governments | | 15:18-16:00 | Palmieri’s list of witnesses to call before Congress | | 19:13 | Survivor perspective and online re-victimization | | 22:36–23:34 | Michael Wolff’s relationship with Epstein | | 24:04; 25:52 | Michael Cohen’s shifting roles and knowledge | | 27:45 | Future of Epstein files; prospect for House hearings | | 28:56–34:09 | ICE controversies and government retaliation vs critics | | 36:19–37:49 | Legacy media buckle under pressure; rise of independent | | 39:04–44:40 | Texas Senate race and shifting politics | | 45:09–46:10 | Trump’s third term musings and declining power |

Tone

The episode blends Palmieri’s dogged investigative insight with Sykes’s analytical skepticism and journalistic concern. The mood is a mix of urgency, exasperation, dark humor, and a persistent call for accountability, always circling back to the conviction that refusing to look away from abuses of power is neither crazy nor futile.

For more, follow Tara Palmieri on YouTube or Substack, and subscribe to the To The Contrary podcast. "We're not the crazy ones."