Americast – "Americanswers… On 5 Live! Do the new Epstein files 'absolve' Trump?"

BBC News • February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of Americast, the hosts answer audience questions about the latest revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files and what their release means for US politics—especially for Donald Trump, who claims the documents "absolve" him. The team also unpacks the impact of celebrity activism at the Grammys (notably anti-ICE sentiments), viral protest movements among US quilters, and the political fallout for those connected to Epstein. The episode features BBC correspondents Justin Webb, Sarah Smith, Anthony Zurcher, Mariana Mazzucato (producer/commentator), and Matt Chorley (Five Live).

Key Topics and Insights

1. The Latest Epstein Files: Legal and Political Fallout

Release of Documents and Prosecutions

• Justice Department's Role: The DOJ says this latest tranche (over 3 million documents) marks the end of its review, though Democrats and survivors argue many critical documents remain undisclosed.
  • "This was pretty much the last big batch and there wasn't going to be much else disclosed." – Anthony Zurcher [02:55]
• Ongoing Investigations: Some investigations are said to be opened into Democrats (e.g., Bill Clinton), but these appear politically motivated and nothing concrete has emerged.
  • "We haven't seen a whole lot aside from this one that they seem to be looking into, which clearly does have a political tinge to it." – Anthony Zurcher [02:55]

Why Is There No Prosecution?

• There remains a lack of prosecutable evidence—even with political embarrassment for some individuals, no "smoking gun" has been found for criminal charges.
  • "As of right now, there is no legal process for further prosecutions that we know of." – Anthony Zurcher [04:00]
• Victims and advocates are frustrated, wanting more action and clarity.
  • "There was real abuse going on. There's no question about that. And no prosecutions ... What's going on?" – Justin Webb [06:50]

Focus on Notable Figures

• British figures (Prince Andrew/Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Lord Mandelson) face more severe reputational damage from the files than any Americans so far.
  • "Nothing is quite as damaging as it is about Andrew Mountbatten Windsor or Peter Mandelson." – Sarah Smith [05:29]
• Even with new correspondence showing ongoing ties (e.g., Elon Musk), no direct implication in crimes has been found.
  • Elon Musk is scrutinized for email exchanges but insists, "I never went to a party. I wasn't on the plane. You know, I'm not implicated..." – Paraphrased from Mariana Mazzucato [09:04]

Victims' Anger Over Redactions

• Major errors occurred with the release—including identifying information and even naked photos of victims not being properly redacted.
  • "Some of the victims are absolutely furious ... even naked pictures have been published of people as well without their identities being redacted." – Sarah Smith [23:06]
• Lawyers for the victims released a joint statement expressing anger: “The men who abused us remain hidden and protected.” – Quoted by Justin Webb [25:31]

Claims of Withheld Documents

• Democrats claim key files (victim statements, draft indictments, financial records) are missing; the DOJ insists nearly everything is out.
  • "There are things that are not included here that they were looking for: victim interview statements, a draft indictment ... prosecutorial memorandum..." – Anthony Zurcher [24:25]

Political (Non-)Impact for Trump

• Trump’s claim to be “absolved” hasn't convinced many, as neither embarrassing revelations about him nor evidence of a coverup has emerged.
  • "It hasn't produced anything monstrously embarrassing about him ... What we don't know is that there ever was any information ... that could have led to prosecutions." – Sarah Smith [26:25]
• MAGA supporters, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, now frame the lack of new revelations as evidence of a broader "uniparty" conspiracy.
  • "The Epstein files are proving it's all one big repulsive club no matter which party is in charge." – Summarized by Justin Webb [29:54]

2. Showbiz & Political Activism at the Grammys

Highlights from the Awards

• Grammy artists (e.g., SZA, Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny) denounced Trump, ICE, and anti-immigrant policies on stage.
  • Bad Bunny: "Before I say thanks to God, I'm gonna say eyes out. We're not savage, we're not animals, we're not aliens." – Bad Bunny [10:41]
  • Billie Eilish: "Nobody's illegal on stolen land." – Read by Ian on Discord [11:22]
• The team debates whether these statements help causes or turn off mainstream Americans:
  • "I can't think of anything since Defund the Police that is less likely to appeal to most mainstream Americans..." – Justin Webb [12:03]
  • "When celebrities ... speak out ... it actually completely turns people off who think, hang on a second, you don't really speak for me." – Mariana Mazzucato [13:19]

Celebrity Endorsement: Does It Move the Needle?

• Evidence suggests star interventions rarely sway voters—"Americans vote for reasons that are personal and they don't typically vote because someone ... tells them this is the way they should vote." – Anthony Zurcher [14:25]
• Nicki Minaj’s pro-Trump stance ("I am probably the President's number one fan ... that's not going to change." – Nicki Minaj [17:09]) exemplifies complex and sometimes contradictory celebrity politics.

3. Social Media and the Quilter Protest Movement

Quilters as Protestors

• Question from Alison in North Norfolk: US quilting/crafting feeds are dominated by protest content about Minneapolis and immigration.
• Mariana Mazzucato explains this is an example of grassroots protest, with social media algorithms amplifying activism:
  • "It shows ... wider discontent that ... people who aren't usually very engaged necessarily in politics ... are actually then making that content political." – Mariana Mazzucato [19:40]
• Sarah Smith adds context: “Craft-based activism” is thriving—e.g., red woolen hats modeled after Norwegian WWII resistance headgear are made/sold to benefit migrants.
  • "This is a fascinating thing that's going on in Minneapolis. Apparently, it's also craft-based activism ... rather like the pussy hats..." – Sarah Smith [21:31]

Algorithm and Outreach Implications

• Activist content is spilling out of expected circles, reaching those not otherwise politically invested—a litmus test for whether an issue is reaching mass concern.

4. The Cultural and Political Ramifications

Why Do American Figures Escape Greater Fallout?

• While British figures are severely penalized, Americans involved with Epstein (e.g., Bill Clinton, Howard Lutnick) face limited consequences.
  • "There hasn't been the kind of big name, you're right ... there are Americans who have paid a political and professional price for their connections ... but it hasn't been the same." – Anthony Zurcher [30:45]
• Cultural differences may explain why reputations recover more easily in the US.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "There are just allegations, and some of them are outrageous. But they're in there, and the FBI had them. Whether they followed up to investigate or not ... that is not the basis for a prosecution." – Anthony Zurcher [08:04]
• "As of right now, there is no legal process for further prosecutions that we know of." – Anthony Zurcher [04:00]
• "There was real abuse going on ... And no prosecutions. And I think that's for a lot of Americans ... Why? What's going on?" – Justin Webb [06:50]
• "It hasn't produced anything monstrously embarrassing about him ... but just because we have seen now most of this information ... doesn't mean there ever was going to be a smoking gun in there." – Sarah Smith [26:25]
• "The Epstein files are proving it's all one big repulsive club no matter which party is in charge." – Attributed by Justin Webb to Marjorie Taylor Greene [29:54]
• "I can't think of anything since Defund the Police that is less likely to appeal to most mainstream Americans ... than 'nobody's illegal on stolen land.'" – Justin Webb [12:03]
• "When celebrities ... speak out about these issues ... it actually completely turns people off ... you don't really speak for me." – Mariana Mazzucato [13:19]
• "This is a fascinating thing that's going on in Minneapolis. Apparently, it's also craft-based activism ... Norwegian red tassel hats are the next big thing ..." – Sarah Smith [21:31]

Segment Guide (Timestamps)

• Epstein files fallout & legal prospects: [02:29] – [09:04], resumes [22:30]
• Showbiz & the Grammys anti-ICE protests: [10:14] – [18:36]
• Quilter/crafter activism & algorithm insight: [18:41] – [21:31]
• Redaction errors and DOJ criticism: [23:06] – [25:31]
• Missing documents & political implications: [25:31] – [29:54]
• Cultural contrast: UK vs US on accountability: [29:54] – [31:55]

Tone and Style

The hosts maintain a lively, conversational tone—mixing sharp analysis (especially around DOJ and legal technicalities) with personal, often humorous asides (e.g., quips about Bad Bunny, celebrity endorsements, and meme culture). They’re empathetic towards victims, sharply skeptical about political claims, and incisive about how social media movements reveal the cultural mood.

Summary

This episode examines the completion of Epstein file releases and finds that—despite massive disclosures and political theatre—no new prosecutions are likely and Trump’s claim of “absolution” rings hollow for both supporters and critics. The team breaks down how outrage is spreading through both celebrity interventions and more organic protest movements (like quilting activists), reflecting a national mood of mistrust and dissatisfaction with elites. The American tendency to move on from scandal—versus the UK’s harsher public reckoning—adds a final comparative flourish to this searching, highly relevant analysis of scandals, activism, and the culture-driving US politics in 2026.