About this episode
Could Jeffrey Epstein’s high-profile connections have made him a valuable asset to the CIA, or was he just a conman playing a dangerous game? In this illuminating episode of The Tara Palmeri Show, former CIA officer John Sipher, with 28 years in the clandestine service, joins Tara to unravel the murky ties between Jeffrey Epstein and the intelligence world. From his global network of dignitaries like Mohammed bin Salman and Prince Andrew to his alleged role as a “hyper fixer,” we dive into whether Epstein’s access to secrets and influence could have made him useful to agencies like the CIA or FBI. Sipher breaks down the difference between CIA officers and agents, how spies are recruited, and why a figure like Epstein might be too risky to touch—or too valuable to ignore. We also explore his connections to arms dealers like Adnan Khashoggi and the possibility of a honeypot scheme straight out of a KGB playbook. Don’t miss this deep dive into espionage, power, and deception! What do you think—could Epstein have been a CIA asset, or was he just a master manipulator? Welcome to The Tara Palmeri Show! Tara Palmeri is one of the most feared and fearless political journalists. As a deeply-sourced reporter, she brings her audience inside the machinations of the highest level of power. Her quick wit and unvarnished reporting goes beyond the headlines, offering a deeper understanding of the intrigues of the permanent political class. This show is not about platitudes. Rather it's about what’s really happening at the highest levels of power and the inside conversation. Tara has covered national politics and foreign affairs for fifteen years. She was formerly a White House Correspondent for ABC News, where she covered the first Trump administration. She was the Chief National Correspondent for POLITICO during the Biden administration. She has been a political analyst for CNBC, CBS and CNN. She’s also worked for the Washington Examiner, the New York Post, POLITICO Europe and Puck, and she hosted The Ringer's election podcast "Somebody's Gotta Win." Tara also hosted two acclaimed podcasts on Jeffrey Epstein called "Broken: Jeffrey Epstein" and "Power: The Maxwells." Subscribe to Tara’s weekly newsletter The Red Letter on Substack Support her independent journalism on GoFundMe Visit her channel on YouTube Follow Tara on Social Media: Instagram X TikTok Got guest ideas or news tips? TaraPalmeriInfo@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices