Dave Smith’s Fiery Call-Out: “Why Did Bongino Lie?”

Libertarian podcaster Dave Smith has launched a devastating attack on former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, accusing him of “lying through his teeth” about Jeffrey Epstein and betraying the very anti-establishment movement that built his media empire.

Story Highlights

Smith demands Bongino produce promised “proof” that Epstein committed suicide
Bongino resigned from FBI amid December 2025 clash over Epstein files disclosure
Public debate challenge issued after Bongino dismisses critics as “blackpillers”
Feud exposes deep split between institutional MAGA and libertarian conservatives

The Accusation That Shattered Conservative Unity

Dave Smith devoted his December 2, 2025 podcast episode “The Disgraced Dan Bongino” to systematically dismantling Bongino’s credibility on the Epstein case. Smith accused the former FBI deputy director of building his media career on promises to expose elite corruption, only to become a defender of the same deep-state apparatus once in power. The libertarian comedian specifically challenged Bongino’s previous claims about having seen definitive proof of Epstein’s suicide, demanding he produce the case files he promised would prove the official narrative “beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

Smith’s critique centers on what he calls Bongino’s betrayal of conservative principles. The podcaster mocked Bongino’s Fox News appearances where he emphasized personal sacrifices and family separation during his government service, framing these complaints as trivial compared to the stakes involved in exposing government corruption. This attack strikes at the heart of Bongino’s credibility with an audience that trusted him to deliver transparency on high-profile cases like Epstein.

Resignation Amid Epstein Files Controversy

Bongino’s December 2025 resignation from the FBI came during a heated clash over Epstein files disclosure timelines. Smith argues this timing proves his central thesis that Trump-era DOJ and FBI leadership failed to deliver promised transparency. The libertarian commentator highlighted how the administration repeatedly shifted positions on the files, first promising release, then claiming no such files existed, then pivoting back to partial declassification without delivering the smoking-gun evidence Bongino had promoted.

The resignation has become a focal point for Smith’s argument that institutional reform is impossible. He contends that Bongino’s departure represents the failure of the “good people in the right positions” strategy that many conservatives believed could fix corrupt agencies from within. Instead, Smith advocates for abolishing these institutions entirely, viewing them as irredeemably compromised.

Social Media Showdown and Debate Challenge

The feud escalated when Bongino posted on X about a “lib/black-piller symbiote” led by a comedian, clearly referencing Smith without naming him. Smith responded directly with a quote-tweet asking “Why did you lie through your teeth about Epstein?” He then tagged Bongino directly, challenging him to debate the Trump FBI and Justice Department’s track record while taunting “Don’t be scared homie.” This public confrontation forced the dispute into the open, where both men’s audiences could witness the clash.

Bongino has yet to accept Smith’s debate challenge or produce the Epstein case file evidence he previously touted. This silence undermines his position with conservatives who expected him to deliver on anti-establishment promises. Smith’s willingness to confront a major MAGA media figure demonstrates the growing frustration among principled conservatives with what they see as institutional capture of their movement’s leaders.