Texas panic rises as Epstein problem gets worse
The David Pakman Show - February 27, 2026
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A bitter Republican primary between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton is suddenly putting Texas in play for Democrats. Cornyn has establishment backing and major money. Paxton has the MAGA base but carries serious scandal baggage. On the Democratic side, James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett are polling credibly, especially against Paxton. Add a Democratic enthusiasm edge and a shift in early turnout, and Republicans may have to spend real money defending what used to be automatic.
Dr. Mehmet Oz’s evolution has been striking. He once largely stuck to evidence-based medicine. Over time he leaned into questionable claims as television fame grew. Now, as head of Medicare and Medicaid Services, he is calling Donald Trump’s State of the Union the best speech ever, despite weak public reaction. The through line looks like proximity to power reshaping priorities.
On the Epstein files, Trump may be legally protected for now because Republicans control Congress and the Justice Department shows no appetite for escalation. Politically, that does not end the story. Newly released materials and reporting about missing DOJ documents raise questions about withheld FBI summaries and possible references to Trump. There is no confirmed proof of criminal wrongdoing, but the perception of a cover up will likely become toxic.
New data show ICE and CBP approved more than $414 million in weapons contracts in one year, including rifles, handguns, ammunition, and crowd control tools. The concern is not that an enforcement agency has weapons, but the scale of the buildup.
Former ICE assistant chief counsel Ryan Swank alleges the academy’s training has been gutted. He says cadets were told to enter homes without warrants and that 240 hours of instruction were cut, including core legal and use of force training. If accurate, that creates serious constitutional risks and institutional liability.
Finally, on Fox News, Jessica Tarlov confronted FBI Director Kash Patel’s apparent hypocrisy. Patel had criticized predecessors for private jet travel, then reportedly used similar travel himself. The larger issue is selective outrage. If private jet use was corruption before, it cannot suddenly be fine now.
On today’s bonus show:
Hillary Clinton testifies in the Epstein probe and Benny Johnson manages to disrupt it, Jesse Watters thinks Trump has an attractive cabinet, and much more...
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I’m gonna talk about Dr. Oz, Oprah‘s flunky. I think the best thing to say about that is, screw you Oprah Winfrey you phony pathetic excuse for a human. You’re a coward Oprah for not denouncing criminal Dr. Oz and criminal Dr. Phil. You’re probably a criminal too Oprah.
Boy oh boy did you get yhis right. In trying to go from beind a whale, to a 'svelt' personage her personal journey roped in millions of vulnerable Americans with her featured "Quacks" like Oz and Dr. Phil and others. Her obesity obsessions have infected the public with snake oil practitioners who now run government agencies. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on this sick cowardess.