The Rest Is Politics: US
The Rest Is Politics: US

157. When Will Trump Stop Protecting The “Epstein Class”?

February 11, 2026 • 43m

Summary

⏱️ 9 min read

Overview

Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay discuss the explosive Epstein files revelations, focusing on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's proven lies about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, including bringing his children to Epstein's island in 2012. They also examine the deteriorating ICE detention conditions, including the case of an Irish citizen held for nearly five months despite having valid work permits, and explore why Congressional Republicans are beginning to distance themselves from Trump on the Epstein scandal.

Howard Lutnick's Epstein Lies Exposed

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed in a 2025 podcast that he met Epstein once, was disgusted by seeing a massage table with candles, and immediately cut all contact. However, newly released Epstein files reveal Lutnick visited Epstein's private island in 2012 with his wife, four children, and multiple nannies—four years after Epstein's conviction for soliciting prostitution from a child. When confronted in Congressional testimony, Lutnick admitted to the visit but claimed it was just a family lunch, revealing what Scaramucci calls "the unholy trinity of mendacity, lack of self-awareness and amorality."

  • 70-80% of released Epstein files remain redacted, with Congress pushing DOJ for full transparency
  • Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna says DOJ is in blatant violation of the Epstein Transparency Act
  • Lutnick visited Epstein's island in 2012, four years after Epstein's conviction, with his family and nannies
  • Lutnick admitted under Senate questioning that he had lunch on Epstein's island with his wife, four children, and nannies
  • Epstein files suggest Epstein requested an introduction to one of Lutnick's nannies
" He opens the doors and there's a massage table in the middle of the room and candles all around stuff. So I ask very insightful cutting questions. I say to him, massage table in the middle of your house, how often you have a massage? And he says, every day. And then he gets weirdly close to me. And he says, and the right kind of massage. "
" He's got the unholy trinity of mendacity, lack of self-awareness and amorality. "
" I wasn't there with my nanny, I was there with my nannies. "

Political Fallout and Lutnick's Four-Way Damage

Scaramucci outlines four critical ways Lutnick has damaged himself: credibility destruction, becoming a constant target for opposition attacks, vetting and disclosure risks from his lies under oath, and creating blackmail and national security concerns. Despite this, Lutnick likely survives because Trump can't fire him—Lutnick knows too much and could "pull the metaphorical suicide vest" on his way out, similar to how Steve Bannon received a pardon because he had "the goods on Trump."

  • Lutnick faces credibility damage—no one will believe him after this level of mendacity
  • Opposition will constantly "poke the bear," asking if he's lying now just as he lied before
  • Lutnick has vetting and disclosure risk—lying during Senate confirmation opens him to investigation
  • If Democrats win the House, they could subpoena Lutnick and investigate all his business entanglements
  • Trump can't fire Lutnick because he knows too much and could expose Trump, like Bannon had leverage
" There's a reason why Bannon got the pardon, catty cat. You know why Bannon got the pardon? Because Bannon had the goods on Trump and the nefarious activity that was going on during the campaign. "
" Lutnick is such a loose cannon and a weirdo, he's got the dirt on Trump. He could pull the metaphorical suicide vest on the way out and take Trump out with him. "

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