The Triggernometry duo hosts Mike Benz, a political commentator and former State Department official who has been warning of the “blob” and dissecting USAID in detail recently, offers intriguing insights on the Epstein / JFK files and their implications for government transparency. We’ve covered Benz a lot and he always delivers. What’s great about this (relatively) short Trigger discussion is that they focus primarily on Epstein. With any luck those are the next batch of files to be released now that the JFK files have finally dropped. The trio delves into Jeffrey Epstein’s enigmatic connections with the elite, questioning official narratives surrounding his life and death.

JFK Files and Intelligence Implications:

The podcast opens with speculation about the long-awaited release of files related to John F. Kennedy’s assassination. This episode was actually recorded the day they dropped, so no new information per se, but some speculation and context if you haven’t been up-to-speed. Benz suggests that these documents could implicate U.S. intelligence services, potentially revealing their involvement in the event. Such a disclosure, he argues, would test the Trump administration’s commitment to transparency and could damage America’s diplomatic credibility if it exposed unsavory truths about its national security apparatus. He makes the same point about the Epstein files. Of course, we now know the JFK files only further rounded edges on what we already know…there was / is a lot more to the story.

Jeffrey Epstein’s Role and Connections:

The conversation shifts to Jeffrey Epstein, portrayed not just as a blackmailer but as a possible "access agent" linking powerful individuals to intelligence networks. Benz posits that Epstein’s value lay in his ability to facilitate connections rather than solely extort, tying him to broader intelligence operations. This was a key point, the broader conspiracy narrative that has emerged seems to place Epstein purely as a blackmail agent. Benz convincingly conveys that such a characterization is way to simple and unlikely. The reluctance to release his files, Benz notes, stems from national security concerns and the risk of exposing sensitive alliances with nations like the UK, Israel, and Saudi Arabia within frameworks like the Five Eyes coalition. With international connections from the UK to Israel to South America and beyond, any unexpected Epstein news will have global implications. Stay tuned.

“There’s a question of how much smoke do you need to have before you just come out and say, there’s a dang fire.” - Mike Benz on Epstein

Intelligence Agencies and Statecraft:

A central theme is the role of intelligence agencies in statecraft, often operating through informal and illicit channels. Benz explains how these agencies leverage figures like Epstein or Hunter Biden—individuals with controversial backgrounds—because their "dirty hands" lend credibility in navigating underworld networks. This approach, he suggests, has been used to destabilize foreign regimes or broker clandestine deals, such as those in the Iran-Contra affair, blurring the lines between legitimate governance and covert manipulation.

Unions, Organized Crime, and Power Structures:

The podcast delves into the under-explored nexus of unions, organized crime, and statecraft. Benz highlights how unions have historically served as tools for both domestic control and international influence operations, often with state sanction. This entanglement illustrates how formal and informal power structures collaborate to achieve geopolitical goals, a dynamic he believes warrants greater scrutiny.

Cultural Fascination with Conspiracy Theories:

Finally, the discussion reflects on America’s appetite for conspiracy theories, which Benz ties to a growing public awareness of intelligence agencies’ secretive actions—sometimes against their own citizens. This fascination, he argues, is a response to decades of operations shrouded in plausible deniability, fueling both curiosity and distrust in government institutions. However, more recently he (and others) have claimed that when the blob starts to work against the American people (2016 election, COVID, Jan 6th, BLM possibly) then reforms are required. He believes that is where we are right now.

Conclusion:

The Triggernometry episode with Mike Benz paints a picture of a world where transparency struggles against entrenched secrecy, and the boundaries between governance and covert influence are perilously thin. We think the discussion leaves listeners pondering a critical question—how much of this shadowy machinery should be unveiled, and what might be the cost to America’s global standing and domestic trust? Benz has been talking about this balance for a while and the Epstein files represent only the latest challenge to this question. Even for Benz junkies, getting his fresh take on Epstein is worthwhile.

THE PODSCORE: 4 (of 5) MICS

Triggernometry welcomes Boris Johnson, former UK Prime Minister. The group delves into the intricacies of Boris’s conversations with Vladimir Putin, revealing the serious stakes of global diplomacy. He reflects on the motivations behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine and discusses the critical support needed from the West. Johnson critiques media perceptions of Ukrainian leadership and examines the complex relationship between the UK and Russia, touching on historical events like the Salisbury poisoning. The discussion also encompasses energy policies, privacy concerns, and the evolving dynamics of immigration post-Brexit.

Support for Ukraine Against Russian Aggression:

One of the most prominent themes is Boris Johnson’s unwavering support for Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Johnson articulates a deep sense of moral outrage and personal responsibility as a leader of a G7 nation, unable to deter Putin’s actions. He recounts his efforts to supply Ukraine with weapons, such as NLAWs, starting in late 2021, driven by intelligence suggesting an imminent invasion. Johnson dismisses Kremlin narratives, such as the claim that he sabotaged peace talks in Istanbul, emphasizing that Ukraine’s resistance was a sovereign choice supported by the West. He also reflects on his “incredibly depressing” conversation with Putin, where the Russian leader fixated on NATO expansion despite no realistic prospect of Ukraine’s membership. This theme underscores Johnson’s belief in standing firm against aggression through strength and solidarity.

We'd been unable to to persuade Putin not to do something so completely self-destructive and and clearly destructive of of Ukraine and it was enraging and um I I was disgusted at at what he was doing!” - Boris Johnson

Brexit and Immigration Control

The podcast extensively covers Brexit, a defining achievement of Johnson’s premiership, with a focus on its implications for immigration control. Johnson argues that Brexit was fundamentally about “taking back control,” particularly over borders, in response to public frustration with unprecedented immigration levels under previous governments. He acknowledges the “Boris wave” of immigration post-2019, attributing it to exceptional circumstances like COVID-19, the return of EU nationals, and humanitarian intakes from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. However, he defends the Rwanda deportation plan as a solution to illegal Channel crossings, lamenting its derailment by legal challenges and insufficient time.

Evolution on Climate Change and Net Zero

Johnson’s shift from climate skepticism to advocating for net zero policies and now back to a more moderate view raised our eyebrows a bit. Initially critical of the “religiosity” and perceived socialist undertones of environmentalism—once writing that wind power couldn’t “pull the skin off a rice pudding”—he describes an intuitive awakening during his time as Mayor of London and Foreign Secretary. Observing global population growth and environmental degradation from the air, he adopted a Pascal’s Wager approach: acting on climate change is prudent even if the science is uncertain. He admits to policy missteps, like insufficient nuclear investment and high energy costs, but insists that cleaner technology is a long-term necessity, balanced against economic and security trade-offs. In general, we think he seemed to appease the Triggernometry audience by admitting steel needs its own set of regulation and that net - zero has gone too far in general. We aren’t so sure he believes that.

Challenges of Governance and Decision-Making

Underpinning these topics is Johnson’s reflection on the difficulties of governing, a recurring theme throughout the podcast. He discusses the resistance to provocative actions—like arming Ukraine—due to fears of escalation, and the legal “lawfare” that thwarted the Rwanda deportation plan. Johnson also praises cost-cutting boldness, inspired by Elon Musk, while noting the emotional and political obstacles to axing legacy projects.

Conclusion

This is the first Triggernometry episode we have reviewed. Boris Johnson illuminates the multifaceted challenges he navigated as a leader, from rallying support for Ukraine against Russian aggression to wrestling with Brexit’s immigration promises and reconciling skepticism with climate action. One key point we cannot reconcile is did he really tell the Ukrainians not to accept peace in 2022 or did not. Clearly, here he says he did not push for war, but the verdict still seems to be out. So, we think you can be skeptical of some of what Johnson says, but its a good , quick listen.

THE PODSCORE: 4 (of 5) MICS.