Joe Kent

So, but I think it was probably a welcome distraction considering how much it was in the news.

Because again, if you want people to rally around the flag, start a new war, that's kind of like politics 101, tragically.

So I think that factor, but I don't think it was specifically relevant.

for Epstein.

Had the Epstein files never existed, there'd still be, unfortunately, a neoconservative Israeli lobby for a war with Iran.

Yeah, sticking, I think, a little bit with the Epstein question, that's another one.

And look, I'm not saying I believe this, but I have seen a lot of people who do.

They think, you know, you talked there about Trump potentially being influenced by a threat to his safety.

Another theory is about Epstein.

His conduct around Epstein has been bizarre, if we're being honest.

I can say that.

You don't have to say it.

Do you think there's any credence to that?

I think if Trump was in the Epstein files, they would have used it to take him out long before he made the nomination back in 2016.

I just think that's even if you don't like Trump, I think that's just kind of obvious.

But again, we go back to we go back to this is a this appears to be a very powerful network.

And so for people who've been anywhere near it, are they intimidated by it?

That that's a potential.

Yeah.

And sticking with that, you know, given your assessment, now you've worked at the highest levels of the United States intelligence community.