The Fifth Column Triumph of the Grift (Members Only #299)
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Feb 3, 2026 They uncover surprising mentions of the hosts in leaked Epstein files and poke fun at bizarre groupings and redactions. They sift through dumped documents, strange attachments, and unverified tips that fuel conspiracy fever. They discuss how mass disclosures can humiliate people, examine Bannon-related footage and legal questions, and sketch Epstein’s attempts to build a star-studded network.
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Dumped Files Mislead By Association
- The Epstein file dump names many public figures but often only shows innocuous or mundane exchanges.
- Matt Welch warns the release is indiscriminate and creates a misleading impression of guilt by association.
Hosts Caught In Their Own Files
- Michael Moynihan admits he'd likely have accepted an Epstein invitation in the past and jokes about Googling himself.
- The hosts use their own names appearing in files to illustrate how trivial interactions surface in the dump.
Law Encourages Indiscriminate Release
- The hosts argue the government's mass release behaves like a public WikiLeaks, removing editorial judgment.
- Kmele Foster and Matt Welch say embarrassment alone was written into law as insufficient reason to withhold records.
