As he wrote to Epstein at the time: “First we need to push back on the lies; then crush the pedo/trafficking narrative; then rebuild your image as philanthropist.”This man, who wanted to help Jeffrey Epstein “crush the pedo/trafficking narrative,” is the voice of one of the world’s most influential conservative podcasts. Reporters who wrote about Epstein are “in the Epstein files” by way of association, which does not and should not imply anything negative about them. But when people say that an individual is “in the Epstein files,” it’s connections like Steve Bannon that they’re talking about. In what world can you say that you’ll help “crush the pedo/trafficking narrative” to Jeffrey Epstein and be welcomed back into American society? Even in a nest of hypocrites, Steve Bannon should be cast out and left to rot.

Source: New York Times February 17, 2026 23:16 UTC