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Why Supposed Epstein Note Is ‘Hard to Believe’ | The Daily Beast Podcast

The Daily Beast | May 10, 2026



Joanna Coles speaks with Glenn Kirschner, former federal prosecutor and host of Justice Matters, about what he calls America’s accelerating constitutional crisis, from Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional war” with Iran and Pete Hegseth’s role in deadly military actions to the explosive fallout over the Epstein files and the firing of Pam Bondi. Kirschner explains why he believes Trump is using global conflict to distract from mounting Epstein scrutiny, why the Department of Justice has become “Donald Trump’s DOJ,” and why accountability for January 6, classified documents, ICE shootings in Minneapolis, and even Trump himself could still come after 2028. In a stunning final stretch, Kirschner openly questions the official narrative around Jeffrey Epstein’s death, drawing on his decades prosecuting homicide cases to explain why he remains deeply unconvinced by the newly released purported suicide note and why the fight over the Epstein files is far from over.

00:00 – Epstein Suicide Doubts Explode
04:26 – Kirschner’s Mission Against Trump
09:03 – Trump’s “Illegal War” and GOP Collapse
13:32 – Can Pete Hegseth Face Prosecution?
18:31 – How Trump Could Still Be Charged
23:00 – ICE Shootings and DOJ Obstruction Claims
27:49 – Can Kristi Noem Be Held Accountable?
32:24 – Epstein Files, Suicide Note and DOJ Distrust
36:02 – Why Kirschner Still Doesn’t Believe Epstein Killed Himself

#trump #epsteinfiles #news #podcast

📖 Title: Why Supposed Epstein Note Is ‘Hard to Believe’
👂 Podcast: The Daily Beast Podcast
📺 Episode: 694
🎧 Format: Full Podcast
📅 Date: May 8, 2026
👨‍💼 Guest: Glenn Kirschner
🎙️ Host: Joanna Coles

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Written by The Daily Beast

Comments

This post currently has 34 comments.

  1. @janekosola2056

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    I live in north central MN and what was done to Good and Pretti is heartbreaking. Their families are grieving. They will never be able to heal until they see justice. Justice matters! These were cold-blooded murders.

  2. @janekosola2056

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    When a president commits crimes, it is ridiculous that s/he cannot be prosecuted. The VP can assume the presidency and the president should be sidelined until the case is resolved. Why the hell should a criminal become president and escape prosecution simply because he is president? When the president is incapacitated for any other reason, the VP is sworn in. CHANGE THE DAMN IMMUNITY RULE. SHAME ON THE SCOTUS.

  3. @janekosola2056

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    Trump will not leave peacefully. Why do you think he wants a fortified bunker AND a dance hall? He even wants a fully equipped hospital in the bunker, for pete's sake!! Hospitals alone cost millions to build and equip. Donald sees himself dancing away in the ballroom and taking cover in the bunker, refusing to leave. And now he plans to use the military to fill the seats at his UFC birthday bash. Will it be MAGA supporters or will it be the admirals and generals, etc. whom undoubtedly would decline because they are not political and know Trump is a Putin tool.

  4. @harose18

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    Thank you Joanna and Glenn.

    Indicting trump officials like Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller for conspiracy to deny Constitutional rights will be as clear as indicting trump for January 6th. We all saw with our own eyes how thousands were illegally detained in violation of the 4th and 6th Amendments and many others were illegally sent to El Salvador and other country's concentration camps.

    Horribly, the stain of federal crimes will remain long after this nightmare is over.

  5. @SmilingIbis

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    The indictments may be revived and legitimately pursued, but the idea that Trump will live much beyond age 82 with enough mental competence to stand trial is a fantasy. Unless it's like digging up and beheading the corpse of Oliver Cromwell, he will get away with it all.

  6. @mbak7801

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    If Trump lives out his term I can see him pardoning himself and his family but possibly nobody else. He has no loyalty himself and is cruel enough to enjoy seeing his former supporters end up in jail. It woul be good to see Hegseth go down.

  7. @buttegal1

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    I've long respected Glenn. Now I must support his tireless work in a more meaningful way. Thank you, Joanna and Glenn, for this conversation!🎉❤

  8. @Vic-q2x-t4d

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    There has been an erosion of the American education system over the decades. 54% of American citizens read below the 6th grade level. The government cut public school funding. The best and brightest went into other careers due to low salaries. Curricula no longer implemented tried and true methods for teaching basics, and the lack of parental support for teachers is/was the cherry on top. THAT is one of the main reasons as to why this administration and president are in the White House.

  9. @jonathancrellin3571

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    Hi Joanna that was an interesting account by a noted US Prosecutor. But after initially taking it, I started to find errors within his statement that the 302 Interview notes were Direct Evidence (i.e. witness statement of events they directly experienced). Actually a 302 memo is an FBI agents summary of an interview, so its not DIRECT evidence but actually HEARSAY evidence. The FBI did not follow it up (it did relate to an event 30 years earlier, which apparently pre dated Epsetin and Trump's relationship). Also there was a case in California 2016 where a complainant known as Katie Johnson (pseudo name) made very similar claims. There were differneces from the 302 memo as well. Also there is a story about how a producer for the Jerry Springer Show (which was based on disturbing fact/fictional disputes) was accused of creating this criminal accusation in 2016.
    The description of the 302 memo as DIRECT evidence is a surprising mistake for an experience US Attourney and Prosecutor. I hope you can follow this up.
    I do find your interviews with people like this, and of course with the delightful Micheal Wolf, We all worry by the obvious problems with Trump presidency.

    BTW I was born in Lancashire, although I lived in North Yorkshire for most of my early life. So no Wars of the Roses please 🙂

  10. @upnorth-s8v

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    I trust Glenn wholeheartedly and I respect him even more so… This is coming from a 45 years as a Republican since Reagan…. He's a straightshooter… Hats off to you sir!!

  11. @roscozone8092

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    ~40% of fertilizer for global agricultural purposes is also shipped via the Strait of Hormuz. Quite apart from the energy crisis, the world's food supply is also being threatened by the blockade…

  12. @barrypower7259

    May 10, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    Epstein didn't kill himself he wouldn't have the balls to do it. He was murdered by trump and his billionaire " friends". Trump is president for 1 reason and that is to protect these billionaire pedophiles. Everything he does is to distract from these Epstein files and if thousands of people die in the meantime so be it. The Republicans will win the mid terms and life will get even worse than it already is because the rich have decided that thats the only way they can get away with all the crimes they have done and continue to do.

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