The MeidasTouch Podcast - Trump’s Dark Past Surfaces as Witness Dies…

Episode Date: October 5, 2026

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on the death of whistleblower Simon Andriesz, who raised concerns about Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and examines the records behind his disclosures. Meiselas also breaks down Katie Phang’s lawsuit seeking the release of Epstein files and the ongoing fight over records withheld or redacted by the Trump Justice Department. Go to https://SmartCredit.com/meidas and start your 7-day trial for just $1. Pre-order the new book from MeidasTouch, WTF America?!: The Way Out of This Hell and Back to Democracy, today: https://bit.ly/wtfamericayoutube Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af Sidebar with Katie Phang: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sidebar-with-katie-phang/id1886801652 The Parnas Perspective: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-parnas-perspective/id1869165949 The Intersection with Michael Popok: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intersection-with-michael-popok/id1818863274 MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Five Minute News: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/five-minute-news/id1471715443 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump's dark past continues to surface as a key witness to the Trump regime's involvement with Epstein and cover-up of the Epstein files sadly has been found dead. Former British banker and whistleblower Simon Andre's 57 years old purportedly died by suicide. He was responsible for being the key whistleblower exposing U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik's past, links to Jeffrey Epstein, including evidence of a 2018 email exchange about a startup business. Now, Simon Andres was a executive in a company that was controlled by Lutnik. And after leaving that company, he became a critical whistleblower. He was featured on the BBC regarding being a whistleblower regarding Lutnik in the Trump regime. he has now been found dead.

More on that in a moment. This also comes at a time where the Trump regime has been frantically making filings in connection with the Midas Touch host Katie Fang's lawsuit under the Epstein Files Transparency Act against Todd Blanche and the Trump regime where a federal judge, Judge Sullivan, ordered the Trump regime and Todd Blanche

to turn over documents that they are refusing to disclose. The Trump regime took out an emergency appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. And separately, when federal judge Sullivan, a Washington, D.C., federal judge, ordered that the Trump regime produce their administrative record regarding how they complied or did not comply with the Epstein Transparency Act,

rather than comply with the October 1st deadline that was set by federal judge Sullivan on the deadline date, the Trump regime filed in an emergency fashion, frankly, a motion to dismiss Katie Fang's lawsuit saying she doesn't have standing that the Midas Touch Network does not have standing under the Epstein Transparency Act in order to get these documents. And then the Trump regime said, given that we filed this motion to dismiss also called a motion for judgment on the pleadings, we don't think we have to turn over any administrative record regarding whether we complied or didn't comply with the Epstein Transparency Act, an actual law that was signed by Donald Trump. And then the Trump regime said what Katie Fang should have done was bring a FOIA action.

And perhaps then we would have complied if she made her claim not as a law. lawsuit under the Epstein Transparency Act, but as a Freedom of Information Act request. However, democracy defenders fund and other groups made FOIA requests and surprise, surprise. The Trump regime refused to turn over documents in response to FOIA. They cited every FOIA exception and exemption under the sun and said, we're not going to produce anything. And they did not prepare an administrative record there. And some of the key documents that Judge Sullivan ordered the Trump regime to turn over in connection with a preliminary injunction that was awarded to Katie Feng.

Documents regarding foreign text and foreign emails and foreign communications in the Epstein files. The FBI 302 report notes regarding allegations by a minor against Donald Trump. Trump denies the allegations, but turn over the notes. additionally, the Trump regime made numerous redactions of people who they claim to be victims, but they appear to be perpetrators. And so Judge Sullivan ordered the Trump regime, let me see if these people are actually victims or if you're actually covering up co-conspirators to which the Trump regime was like, now we're not going to show you, we're going to appeal.

Katie Fang doesn't have standing. Should have done a FOIA request. Well, people did do a FOIA request also, and you're still not. not turning over that material. And also Judge Sullivan said the Trump regime, turn over your redaction log or your privilege log of all of the other documents you're withholding because you're clearly not turning over

foreign language documents, 302 report notes, these other redacted documents. So let's see how many other documents they are. We believe there's probably 5 million documents that have multiple pages. So we could be talking about 30 million, 40 million, and 50 million pages that are still being concealed by the Trump regime. Folks, the Trump regime is covering up a child sex trafficking ring in plain view for everybody to see.

I don't care what political party you're from. This should be absolutely disgusting and revolting and it's happening at the highest level of the Trump regime. So let's get back to the story of the former British banker and whistleblower Simon Andres, 57 years old. He purportedly just died by suicide, and he was responsible for unearthing and sharing these 2018 email exchanges regarding Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik with Epstein and with Epstein's team regarding potentially investing alongside Epstein or having some business involvement with Epstein. And Howard Lutnik recently said, I don't know how my name got on those investment documents. Now, Patrick Howley, who's part of the transparency group that works

with whistleblowers like Simon Andres, here's what he posted. Simon has been found dead, reportedly from suicide. Rest in peace to Simon and to all the whistleblowers who have died too young. The truth about Lutnik will never die. Back on August 9, 2026, Simon posted the following. I am the British whistleblower. And by the way, this is why, documents that are being withheld are so critical right now. I am the British whistleblower who reported evidence concerning Howard Lutnik, his links to Jeffrey Epstein and Canter Fitzgerald and BGC to the FBI in 2020, 2021. Listen to the BBC file on four documentary about my whistleblower story.

I later shared evidence with the House Oversight Committee, which subsequently questioned Lutnik behind closed doors. My disclosure also contributed to regulatory action in the U.S. and UK, including 96 million pound HMR tax assessment relating to BGC's partnership scheme. I believe the true tax exposure is substantially higher. I also reported to the FBI and financial regulators, matters involving Canter Fitzgerald's Relief Fund, and BGC Canter's annual 9-11 charity day calling into questions, things that were going on there. The personal consequences of whistleblowing and the retaliation I say followed have been devastating for my family and me. Mother Jones previously reported that documents I uncovered revealed a years-long business tie between Howard Lutnik, Canter Fitzgerald, and Jeffrey Epstein through Adfin, including a 2018 exchange in which Lutnik and Epstein discussed the company directly. You can follow me here on X or LinkedIn, and that's the individual who allegedly just died by. suicide. He spent over 35 years working in the financial markets. And just so you know what BGC is, BGC is a New York and London-based inter-dealer broker and financial technology firm. The initial stand

for Bernard Gerald Cantor who founded the firm that became Canter Fitzgerald. In 2004, Canter spun out its voice wholesale brokerage business as BGC partners. Let Nick join Cantor. 1983, who became the CEO there, spun it off and was the controlling stakeholder in BGC. And then Simon Andres was employed at BGC from November 2014 through January 31st, 2017. And he was one of the top executives there, held a top-level job at BGC. So you understand what his background is there. Now, ever notice how you don't think much about your credit until someone else is checking it sounds like me you fill out the application they start running your credit and then suddenly

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Start with smart credit today. Go to smartcredit.com slash mitus. and try it for just $1 for seven days. That's smartcredit.com slash mitus. Results vary. Cancel anytime. I'll show you one of the emails, of course, that he was helpful in unearthing and kind of provided the roadmap for.

You take a look right here. Leslie Groff. These are messages with Leslie Graff and Epstein and Howard Lutnik regarding Lutnik going to the island, and remember what Lutnik said when he did the interview for the New York Post, that he met Epstein once in 2005. Epstein was his neighbor. They had a, their homes were like literal, their townhouses in New York City were literally attached. And remember,

Lutnik said, you know, after I saw him, I was so grossed out by Epstein. I never saw him again. I never went to the island. I never had any contact ever again. So take a look right here. I'll show you the split screen of the email where Lutnik planned. bringing his kids and actually brought his kids in 2012 to Epstein Island, an island that was known for child sex trafficking. And here was Lutnik saying, I never knew him. I never had any connection with him. Here's what Lutnik said in the interview, and this was all exposed as a lie. Here play this clip. He opens the doors, and there's a massage table in the middle of the room and candles all around and stuff. So I ask very insightful, cutting questions. I say to him,

massage table in the middle of your house? How often you have a massage? And he says, every day. And then he like gets like weirdly close to me. And he says, and the right kind of massage. Now my wife is standing here. So she looks at me and I look at her and we say, I'm sorry, we have to go.

And we left. And in the six or eight steps it takes to get from his house to my house, my wife and I decided that I will never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again. So I was never in the room with him socially, for business, or even philanthropy. Back I was there, I wasn't going because he's gross. And so I look back at it as a gift. Yes. He gave me a gift of a voice.

And so, yeah, that's my story. A one and absolutely done. Then you'll recall that when there was supposed to be a hearing regarding Howard Lutnik's connections with Epstein, it was done not under oath. And there was no video camera because the Magur Republicans wanted all. of this covered up. So James Comer was asked, why not do Lutnik's testimony as a videotaped interview? Here, watch for yourself play this clip. Based on, you know, his description of events, do you have any concerns about the secretary's conflicting statements and why not do this as a videotaped interview? Well, this is, you know, with this transcribed, he's coming in voluntarily,

first of all. So we didn't video, we don't video people that come in to volunteer. We didn't video. We didn't video Ted Waite last week but at the end of the day the transcript's the most important thing I assume there'll be Democrat members here today if not there'll be staffers I know there was criticism I read somewhere that a member two was complaining that this was on a day

when Congress wasn't in session when this was scheduled we were supposed to be in session this day this week was flipped with King Charles last week so when we scheduled this he was supposed to be here so you know if you're interested in the investigation you can You can come here.

I missed my son's baseball game last day because I want to be here, obviously, for this interview. And then Howard Lutnik cut a $5 million check to House Republicans after scheduling his Epstein testimony to which the House then made it, the MAGA Republicans in the House, so that it would not be under oath and it would not be on video camera. How utterly sick, how utterly pathetic. But when Democrats take control of the House, they will certainly make these hearings public involving Lutnik. Now, going to Katie Fang here for a moment at the Midas Touch Network.

As I note, Judge Sullivan ordered that the Trump regime turn over certain documents. The Trump regime filed an appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals there. Then separately, the judge, federal judge in D.C. said, produced the administrative record of everything you did to gather files regarding the Epstein case and regarding the Epstein files and the Epstein Transparency Act. And so then Lutnik, I mean, Todd Blanche and the Trump regime, immediately filed a motion, saying motion for leave of court to postpone the deadline. And then it goes on to say, in this civil action, plaintiff, Katie Fang, attempted to circumvent the FOIA Freedom of Information Act by bringing suit pursuant to a statute, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, that does not otherwise provide a private cause of action. She does this seeking information as relevant here, an administrative record that is already available pursuant to FOIA.

The statute plaintiff ought to use to obtain the information she seeks. Accordingly, requiring the government to expend resources to prepare a record that will ultimately prove unnecessary because this case is likely to be dismissed is not a good use of the court's time or taxpayer resources. accordingly defendant Todd Blanche in his official capacity as Attorney General of the DOJ respectfully moves this court for leave to postpone its prior order requiring the defendant to file a certified list of the contents of the administrative record by no later than October 1, 2026, and any requirement to produce the administrative record in due course thereafter, pending the resolution of defendants contemporaneously. filed Rule 12C motion for judgment on the pleadings. In support of this motion, defendant states as follows. This matter involves the federal government's compliance with a general disclosure statute. It goes on to say, there is good cause to postpone the requirement of an administrative record because an administrative record provides no additional information necessary to this case.

And then it goes on to say, any other documents which would not typically fit into the category of an administrative record. The quarter party might wish to rely in this case have already been published on the Department of Justice Epstein Library and or on the FBI vault or the FBI's electronic FOIA library. Okay, well, if it's already there, then just reproduce it. Just say here it is. Obviously, it's not there if you're refusing to produce it. And they're saying Katie Fang has no standing and that she's not allowed to bring this

lawsuit under the Epstein Transparency Act as a reporter for the Midas Touch Network, and then the Trump regime files this motion to dismiss, which is called a motion for judgment on the pleadings, and their main argument is this. It says, plaintiff Katie Fang brings this lawsuit challenging the department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but Congress did not provide a right of action in the Epstein-Files Transparency Act and is not otherwise privately enforceable. Although plaintiff purports to assert claims under the Administrative Procedures Act, such claims are precluded by the statutory scheme.

In other words, what the Trump regime is arguing is that when the Epstein-Files Transparency Act was passed, that Congress wanted nobody to be able to enforce it other than the DOJ. And the DOJ is saying, we're not going to. to enforce it. So too bad, so sad. We're the only people who can enforce it. Reporters can't. Victims can't. Survivors can't. Attorney's general can't. Only us. And we say, we've done everything. Trust me, bro. We're not turning anything over. And we want to do a motion to dismiss. Here, it's technically framed as a motion for judgment on the pleadings, the pleading being the complaint filed by Katie Fang, and the Trump regime says she doesn't have standing.

There's no ability for anybody ever to sue the Trump regime for the Epstein files. So you have these developments happening side by side. This very suspicious death by suicide of the key whistleblower, right? And you already had the death by suicide alleged of Epstein and of Jean-Luc Brunel and others. And then there was another death. of a key witness and another key witness in France lately as well that we reported on. And then you have the Trump regime basically saying, we're not going to, yes, Judge Sullivan,

you ordered us to turn these documents over like whether or not our redactions of victims are valid and that they're not actually perpetrators and foreign language documents. And FBI 302 notes about an allegation by a minor regarding Donald Trump, Trump, which he denies and the redaction law. But we want to appeal. We're not turning anything over. Judge for yourself. Oh, it's very transparent right there.

Just turn it over. And produce your freaking redaction log and privilege log so people can see what it is that hasn't been turned over yet. Sickening. This is sickening stuff. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million. Thanks for watching.

Before you go, our book, WTF America is available for pre-order now. It's the story of how we got here. and how we fight our way back. To pre-order, scan the QR code, or click the link in the description. Let's do this. You know,