'I don’t care how reptilian a brain that man has': Former prosecutor warns Trump

26 July

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs for travel to Texas to tour areas affected by deadly flash flooding, from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Former prosecutor Katie Phang told podcaster Jim Acosta that President Donald Trump will enflame his base for very small return if he pardons Ghislaine Maxwell.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is traveling to Florida to meet with Maxwell this week, even as Trump further entangles himself in the life of Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump’s MAGA base, including his own employees, have spread controversies surrounding the nature of Epstein’s death. Many suggest Epstein was murdered to hide an alleged client list containing the names of powerful Democratic leaders, despite Epstein dying in prison during Trump’s first term.

Phang, speaking on the Friday edition of the ‘Jim Acosta Show,’ insists Blanch remains “Trump’s personal lawyer” even as he serves as deputy AG, and is acting on Trump’s behalf by traveling to Florida. But she said he won’t be doing his boss any favors, even if he does manage to whittle new information from Maxwell that might clear Trump.

“I don’t care how reptilian of a brain that man has...it’s too toxic. I mean MAGA—if you’ve lost the ‘QAnon Shaman’ on this, I don’t think this would ever carry the day."

“It just feels like the fix is in,” said Acosta. “And we were hearing some things come in today, making it sound more and more like the fix is in.”

“… [T]he lawyer for Maxwell, David Marcus, says ‘we haven’t spoken to anyone yet’ regarding a pardon but we hope that Donald Trump exercises that power ‘in the right and just way,’” Phang recalled. “… If that’s the case then obviously the pitch will be officially formerly made, and I’m assuming it’s already happened.”

Phang pointed out that Maxwell’s perjury charges were dropped, but any information arising from Trump’s willingness to smear himself with a pardon will deliver nothing useful because of Maxwell’s notorious issues with honesty.

“I read the 55-page sentencing memorandum that the Department of Justice prepared on her back in 2022 and they made it explicitly clear that Ghislaine Maxwell is a liar. So, anything you get form Ghislaine Maxwell is not to be trusted,” Phang told Acosta. “That’s the reason why Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) … wants the entire Epstein files subpoenaed from the Department of Justice, so he can corroborate anything said by Ghislaine Maxwell. But let’s be clear: If she ends up getting a pardon it could all end up being for naught.”

But the futility of that effort will not be what likely enflames Trump’s MAGA base, said Acosta. It will be the very fact that he tried this at all.

“Donald Trump’s base is QAnon,” Acosta said. “They should turn their backs on him. Maybe they won’t do that and that’s asking for too much, but that would be the ultimate act of hypocrisy here.”

Hear the full podcast at this link.

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