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George Ward's avatar

Hurrah!!-for courageous & reasoned participants like the Representative!!

Thanks for having her on Lincoln Sq-

George Ward's avatar

What absolute cowards these

malign characters are—Truly!

Carl Young's avatar

Based on recently surfaced documents and reports from late 2025 and early 2026, journalist and author Michael Wolff has been linked to Jeffrey Epstein, with allegations suggesting Wolff acted as a mediator or "fixer" for Epstein regarding his relationship with Donald Trump. 

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Here are the key details regarding the claims of withholding evidence and acting as a "fixer":

1. The "Fixer" and Advisor Role

Advising Epstein: Emails from 2019 show that Michael Wolff provided advice to Jeffrey Epstein on how to handle his public relationship with Donald Trump, who was then president.

"Let Him Hang Himself": In a 2019 email exchange, Wolff suggested to Epstein that he could generate "political currency" by allowing Trump to deny their relationship, writing, "I think you should let him hang himself".

"Outlets" for Epstein: Wolff claimed on a podcast that he became an "outlet" for Epstein to express his disbelief about Trump being elected president.

Positioning as an Insider: Reports described Wolff as acting as an insider who was "very involved" with Epstein's social circles. 

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2. Allegations of Withholding Evidence

Unreleased Recordings: Wolff has been accused of possessing audio recordings of Epstein discussing the closeness of his relationship with Trump.

Withholding Evidence Claims: Concerns have been raised that Wolff withheld this information until, or even after, late 2025, with critics calling him a "disgraced writer who routinely fabricates lies" and engages in "blatant election interference". 

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3. Recent Legal Battles

Lawsuit Against Melania Trump: In early 2026, Wolff sued Melania Trump in an attempt to prevent her from initiating a libel lawsuit against him over claims he made in his book, The Art of Her Deal (Redux).

"Climate of Fear": Wolff argued that the Trump family was attempting to create a "climate of fear" to halt his publication and questioning.

Attempts to Depose Trumps: The lawsuit sought to compel Donald and Melania Trump to answer questions under oath regarding their connections to Epstein. 

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Note: These claims emerged during a highly contentious political period in late 2025/early 2026, with parties on all sides accusing each other of manipulation and withholding evidence

Bob McKeown's avatar

I'm on Team Michael Wolff. I'm a devoted listener to the Daily Beast Inside Trump's Head podcast with Michael and Joanna Coles. I think Michael was only "guilty" of practicing journalism and he has the receipts to prove it. He's in the midst right now of a podcast series where he reveals all the recordings and supplies context for them. He wasn't attempting to "promote" Epstein a la Steve Bannon, who thought he could use Epstein to further his goal of world wingnut domination. Michael gave Epstein the kind of basic PR advice he'd give anyone in a similar position. He was only interested in undermining Trump.

And good for him.

Jeanette Mateer's avatar

Would prefer that we did not have to have ads in the midst of this Substack thank you

Bob McKeown's avatar

You have to learn how to move the red bar past the ad by ballparking the length. I've grown quite good at it and I never hear a word of ads embedded in podcasts ;)

Doc Blase''s avatar

45 VERY fast minutes, went by too quickly. Well done indeed, thank you both.

Nonnax5's avatar

What are the chances Bondi will face Contempt of Congress charges for failing to show up today?

menehune's avatar

ALOHA. From the COCONUT WIRELESS. ....Please take a little bit of time out your day and call the phone numbers listed here.

They are retiring this year. Call to make them fight back the Regime. They have nothing to lose now….

Rep: Don Bacon

Nebraska 202-225-4155, 402-938-0300, 402-938-0300

Rep Mark Amodei, Nevada

202-225-6155

Rep Jodey Arrington, Texas

202-225-4005

Rep Vern Buchanan, Florida

202-225-5015, 813-657-1013, 941-951-6643, 941-951-6643

Rep Neal Dunn, Florida

202-225-5235, 850-785-0812,

850-891-8610

Rep. Tony Gonzales, Texas

202-225-4511, 210-806-9920

830-333-7410, 915-990-1500, 432-299-6200

Rep. Sam Graves, Missouri

202-225-7041, 816-792-3976

Rep. Darrell Issa, California

202-225-5672, 760-304-7575,

Rep. Barry Loudermilk, Georgia

202-225-2031, 770-429-1776,

770-429-1776

Rep. Morgan Luttrell, Texas

202-225-4901, 281-305-7890

Rep. Michael McCaul, Texas

202-225-2401, 512-473-0514,

979-431-6480

Rep. Troy Nehls, Texas

202-225-5951, 346-762-6600

Rep. Dan Newhouse, Washington

202-225-5816, 509-452-3243

509-713-7374

Rep. Burgess Owen, Utah

202-225-3011, 801-999-9801

Rep. Elise Stefanik, New York

202-225-4611, 518-561-2324,

315-541-2670, 518-242-4707,

Rep. Ryan Zinke, Montana

202-225-5628

406-317-0277

Take care to you and yours out there... Defiance with pride, straight and loudly with ALOHA.

OldnTired's avatar

A wonderful interview. Rep. Becca Balint is a wonder to behold. I wish we had a thousand fold more people like her.

The part where Bondi decided to bring up antisemitism was priceless. The representative ate her lunch and Bondi looked like she was punch drunk. G-d bless the representative for that.

No, we shouldn't just write off others whom we disagree with, but when those others decide to write you off as offensive to their POV, you just need to walk away and not look back.

In regards to your 'waffle house' comment on this administration's cabinet, I think that was too high a bar. You could walk into a military day care center and find 14 five year olds who would be better Secretaries of this or that. I chose that location because I once had to spend time as a college student in the one near my campus for experience, and boy, was it an experience.

Jeff's avatar

Good interview. I'd not heard about this member before, but I was quite impressed. Worthwhile discussion.

Gerald's avatar

That was just phenomenal! Especially the final minutes where you spoke about the danger of social media. Two members of opposite parties finding common ground, and, above all showing each other compassion and respect! There may be hope for our country yet.

Bob McKeown's avatar

I love me some Becca Balint like I love me some Sarah Longwell. Middle aged lesbians can be unbelievably sensible. Rigorous analysis without all that pesky testosterone ;)

Crickett  Kerrebrock's avatar

They interrupt the flow of the Congresswoman’s account and analysis.

Crickett  Kerrebrock's avatar

The ads are distracting and annoying!

Doc Blase''s avatar

Should not be displayed on subscriber's feeds, IMO.

Bob McKeown's avatar

I recognize that ads are simply inevitable and I've developed the reflexes to very quickly advance the bar by just enough to pass the ad. A necessary skill to have these days.

Charlie's avatar

Great session! Becca Balint is wonderful.

Bob McKeown's avatar

She'd be my beau ideal as a representative if we were only going by ideology. But I don't live in Vermont :(

Charlie's avatar

Doesn't that make her your belle ideale? 😆 VT has a lot of crusty 'conservatives,’ as I understand it, but at the end of another sauna-like summer in VA I may have to retreat as north as I can legally get!

Bob McKeown's avatar

No, because "beau" in this case means good. From the same root as beauty.

Charlie's avatar

That's a good thing then, eh? 😉

Laura Havranek's avatar

Great podcast Thanks Rick Wilson and Congresswoman