Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh Featuring Ezra Klein

Episode: Epstein Files Blocked, Trump Cancelled Colbert? & Zohran's Chances in NYC
Release Date: July 24, 2025

1. Introduction to the Epstein Files Controversy

The episode kicks off with Andrew Schulz introducing Ezra Klein, highlighting his insights into the Epstein case and its broader political implications. Schulz references Klein's book, "Abundance," praising its accurate depiction of current societal issues and urging listeners to engage with its content.

Andrew Schulz [00:15]: "It's been on the New York Times bestseller list for 19 weeks. Nothing else is being sold."

2. Mike Johnson’s Recession of Congress

Ezra Klein delves into Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to recess Congress, preventing a vote on releasing more Epstein files. He underscores the unusual nature of this move, suggesting it signals underlying corruption.

Ezra Klein [02:18]: "Congress is an oversight body in part... and I have to say Johnson is not acting like someone who just finds this politically inconvenient."

3. Trump’s Relationship with His Base and Epstein Allegations

The discussion shifts to former President Donald Trump’s handling of base expectations, especially regarding the Epstein files. Schulz criticizes Trump for appointing individuals like Bongino and Cash who initially advocated for exposing Epstein but then suppressed related investigations.

Andrew Schulz [03:35]: "He started talking about Obama. I was like, oh, he's guilty."

Ezra Klein [05:22]: "Trump is protecting other pedophiles. Facts like that's what it is."

4. The Intersection of Media, Corruption, and Political Power

Klein draws parallels between the Epstein scandal and historical political events like Watergate, emphasizing the difficulty of uprooting deeply entrenched corruption. He argues that bipartisan efforts have historically been necessary to expose and address such issues.

Ezra Klein [06:02]: "Another administration would do this in situations where there’s corruption... name special prosecutors."

5. The Impact of Political Polarization on Reform Efforts

The hosts explore how extreme polarization hampers effective political reform. Schulz points out that both parties have internal factions that resist unified reform, making bipartisan solutions challenging.

Andrew Schulz [09:17]: "Why do we have to prove we care about reform now?"

Ezra Klein [14:08]: "Watergate happens during the nadir of party polarization... but in the Trump era, there's no Watergate."

6. Challenges in Higher Education and Affordability

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the skyrocketing costs of higher education. Klein explains factors like Baumol's cost disease, administrative bloat, and reduced state funding as primary drivers of tuition increases.

Ezra Klein [63:17]: "One thing is Baumol's cost disease... things reliant on human beings get more expensive over time."

Andrew Schulz [65:01]: "We have to cut the bureaucracy to make this possible."

7. Housing Crisis and Rent Control Proposals

The discussion transitions to the housing crisis, with Schulz advocating for rent freezes as a temporary measure to alleviate affordability issues. Klein cautions that without increasing housing supply, rent freezes could exacerbate the problem by discouraging new construction.

Andrew Schulz [75:29]: "Freeze the rent while creating more housing, and then it levels out."

Ezra Klein [77:37]: "Freeze the rents while creating more housing, and then it levels out."

8. Political Strategies and Building Coalitions

Klein emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to rebuild trust by addressing institutional failures and corruption. He suggests that Democrats must acknowledge their shortcomings and present clear, actionable solutions to regain public confidence.

Ezra Klein [89:12]: "If you get into this fight and you're like, well, what you're doing... Just say what you're trying to do differently."

Andrew Schulz [92:00]: "The people are up for grabs. We're trying to hold institutions accountable while building new coalitions."

9. Media Influence and the Cancellation of Colbert’s Show

The episode touches on the alleged cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show by CBS amidst pressure from the Trump administration. Schulz criticizes media conglomerates for succumbing to political pressures, while Klein questions the economic viability and editorial independence of major news outlets.

Andrew Schulz [154:04]: "They were doing this to protect certain narratives."

Ezra Klein [165:17]: "60 Minutes is a real marquee property... canceling it disrupts journalistic integrity."

10. Conclusion: Navigating Political Corruption and Institutional Trust

In wrapping up, the hosts reiterate the importance of addressing corruption within political institutions and media. They advocate for bipartisan efforts to enhance transparency and accountability, ensuring that reforms are both effective and widely supported.

Ezra Klein [171:49]: "The Democratic Party has to be a bigger tent... addressing institutional failures."

Andrew Schulz [177:24]: "We need to hold these institutions accountable and build trust through honest dialogue."

Notable Quotes

• Ezra Klein [02:18]: "Johnson is not acting like someone who just finds this politically inconvenient."
• Ezra Klein [05:22]: "Trump is protecting other pedophiles. Facts like that's what it is."
• Andrew Schulz [09:17]: "Why do we have to prove we care about reform now?"
• Ezra Klein [63:17]: "One thing is Baumol's cost disease... things reliant on human beings get more expensive over time."
• Andrew Schulz [75:29]: "Freeze the rent while creating more housing, and then it levels out."
• Ezra Klein [89:12]: "If you get into this fight and you're like, well, what you're doing... Just say what you're trying to do differently."
• Ezra Klein [171:49]: "The Democratic Party has to be a bigger tent... addressing institutional failures."
• Andrew Schulz [177:24]: "We need to hold these institutions accountable and build trust through honest dialogue."

Key Takeaways

• Epstein Files and Political Corruption: The decision to recess Congress to block the release of more Epstein files suggests deeper corruption within political institutions.

• Trump’s Leadership Critique: Despite initial promises to address corruption, Trump's administration appears to perpetuate and protect entrenched corrupt networks.

• Party Polarization: Extreme polarization hinders bipartisan reform efforts, making it difficult to address systemic issues effectively.

• Higher Education Costs: Rising tuition is driven by factors like Baumol's cost disease and administrative expansion, exacerbated by reduced state funding.

• Housing Affordability: Rent freezes could offer temporary relief but must be paired with increased housing supply to prevent long-term issues.

• Media and Institutional Integrity: Alleged interference in media operations, such as the cancellation of Colbert’s show, undermines journalistic independence and public trust.

• Rebuilding Democratic Trust: The Democratic Party needs to acknowledge institutional failures and present clear, actionable solutions to regain public confidence and build broader coalitions.

This episode provides a deep dive into the intertwined nature of political corruption, media influence, and systemic challenges in higher education and housing. Through candid discussions, Schulz and Klein explore the complexities of current political dynamics and the urgent need for bipartisan efforts to restore trust and implement meaningful reforms.