Making Sense with Sam Harris

#457 — More From Sam: The Epstein Files, The Newsom Factor, Don Lemon's Arrest, AI Market Disruption, and More

February 5, 2026

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  • The episode of Making Sense with Sam Harris, #457 — More From Sam: The Epstein Files, The Newsom Factor, Don Lemon's Arrest, AI Market Disruption, and More, begins with housekeeping, including apologies for postponed live shows due to a family medical emergency and promotion for the Waking Up app. 
  • Sam Harris and his co-host immediately address the Epstein files, emphasizing the necessity of differentiating between those who participated in Epstein's actual crimes and those whose culpability is limited to association or 'piggish behavior' like infidelity. 
  • Sam Harris reveals he is named in the Epstein files due to a single email exchange from 2015 inviting him to dinner with Woody Allen and Noam Chomsky, which he jokingly responded to by asking if they would film it. 

Segments

Podcast Access and Support
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(00:00:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Full episodes of Making Sense with Sam Harris are exclusively available to subscribers via samharris.org, as the podcast runs no advertisements and relies entirely on listener support.
  • Summary: Listeners hearing only a partial conversation must subscribe to access the full content. The podcast operates without ads, making subscriber support the sole means of production. Subscribers can find pricing options, including steep discounts for those who cannot afford the standard rate, on the subscription page.
Live Show Postponements and Apology
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(00:00:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Live shows scheduled for Dallas and Austin were postponed due to a family medical emergency, with new dates set for May 20th (Dallas) and May 21st (Austin).
  • Summary: Sam Harris expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by rescheduling live events, noting the difficulty of canceling when people travel internationally to attend. The emergency involved a family member requiring hospitalization, though the situation is currently stable. Upcoming shows in Portland, Vancouver, Toronto, D.C., and New York City remain scheduled.
Waking Up App Promotion
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(00:02:16)
  • Key Takeaway: The Waking Up app is currently experiencing increased attention following a feature in the Apple store, offering a cure for the unsettled feelings generated by media consumption.
  • Summary: The app is promoted as a remedy for listeners who feel unsettled by media, including the podcast itself. Free accounts are available for those who cannot afford the subscription, emphasizing accessibility over profit in that specific context. Paid subscribers are encouraged to support the platform if they are able.
Epstein Files Initial Reactions
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(00:03:10)
  • Key Takeaway: The initial assumption that the Epstein files would be a ’nothing burger’ appears incorrect, prompting a discussion on differentiating degrees of culpability among the named individuals.
  • Summary: The hosts agree that Jeffrey Epstein was a monster and that justice is needed for his victims. They plan to distinguish between those who participated in the actual abuse and trafficking and those who were merely peripheral associates. Sam Harris expressed concern that people might not differentiate these levels of guilt, potentially ruining peripheral reputations.
Spectrum of Culpability Discussion
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(00:05:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The conversation establishes a spectrum of behavior related to Epstein, ranging from criminal acts to ‘piggish behavior’ like cheating on spouses, drawing parallels to Matt Damon’s earlier comments on gradations of misconduct.
  • Summary: The speakers agree that people are generally unwilling to differentiate between minor and major offenses in public scandals. Sam Harris suggests categories like criminals, pigs, jerks, and people with poor judgment apply to those named in the files. The hosts caution against prematurely validating conspiracy theories like Pizzagate or QAnon, even if the worst Epstein allegations prove true.
Proclivities of Named Figures
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(00:07:06)
  • Key Takeaway: It is considered highly unlikely that many powerful figures named, such as Donald Trump, share Epstein’s specific proclivity for knowingly targeting underage girls, though they are likely guilty of ‘piggish behavior’ like infidelity.
  • Summary: Sam Harris believes that while figures like Trump and Gates are likely pigs who associated with young women functioning as prostitutes, they probably do not share the specific pedophilic appetites of Epstein. Trump’s past comments about Epstein’s taste for ’the young side’ are considered damning evidence of his awareness of Epstein’s behavior. The expectation is that evidence will surface regarding infidelity and association, rather than widespread participation in underage trafficking.
Sam Harris’s Epstein Interaction
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(00:13:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Sam Harris’s only known interaction with Epstein was a lunch at a TED event where Epstein displayed a ‘sugar daddy vibe’ with a much younger woman, leading Harris to form an immediate negative impression.
  • Summary: Harris met Epstein once at a TED lunch involving about 12 people, where Epstein had an attractive young woman on his knee, suggesting a relationship where she was treated as an accessory. Harris perceived Epstein as a ’total sleaze bag’ at that time, though he was unaware of any deeper connection or invitation until the files were released. The email exchange revealed Epstein invited Harris to dinner with Woody Allen and Noam Chomsky in May 2015.