Apple News Today — "Trump is named in new Epstein emails. What happens next?"

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Shumita Basu

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the explosive release of new Jeffrey Epstein–related emails that name former President Donald Trump, and what the revelations could mean politically. The episode also unpacks last week's election results with a focus on Latino voters, discusses looming tariffs on Italian pasta, and highlights other global and domestic news. The tone is informative and brisk, balancing breaking developments with political context and expert analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Capitol Hill Developments: Epstein Emails Name Trump

(00:05–04:50)

• Government Reopens:
  Congress voted (222-209) to end the government shutdown, with Trump signing the bill. ([00:05–00:54])

  “The country has never been in better shape. We went through this short term disaster with the Democrats because they thought it would be good politically.” – Donald Trump ([00:54])

• Epstein Email Revelations:

  • House Oversight Committee Democrats released emails from Epstein's estate.
  • 2011 email: Epstein wrote to Ghislaine Maxwell that a victim “spent hours at my house with Trump.” Initially redacted, Republicans later identified the victim as Virginia Giffrey.
  • Epstein described Trump as “the dog that hasn’t barked.”
  • 2019 email: Epstein told biographer Michael Wolf that “Trump knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.”
  • Trump has always denied wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.

  “These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong. Jeffrey Epstein was a member at Mar-a-Lago until President Trump kicked him out. Because Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile and he was a creep.” – White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt ([02:22])

• Giffrey's Memoir:
  She only recalled meeting Trump once, described him as “friendly,” and did not accuse him of wrongdoing. ([02:36])

• Document Release Showdown:

  • Democrats push for more transparency; Republicans claim cherry-picking.
  • Over 20,000 documents released; both parties accuse each other of hiding politically damaging files.

• New Congress Member & Vote on Epstein Files:
  Newly sworn-in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (AZ) pledges support for a discharge petition to compel DOJ to release Epstein files.

  “Justice cannot wait another day. Adelante mi gente... Thank you very much. I yield back.” – Rep. Adelita Grijalva ([03:37])

  • Petition reaches 218 signatures, aided by 4 Republicans.
  • CNN reveals behind-the-scenes lobbying of GOP holdouts by the White House.

• Political Calculus:

  “The deal for Republicans on this vote is that Trump will protect you if you vote the wrong way... But I would remind my colleagues that this vote is going to be on your record for longer than Trump is going to be president.” – Rep. Thomas Massie ([04:32])

• Next Steps:
  Vote set for early next week; Senate and presidential approval would be next hurdles. ([04:50])

2. Election Aftermath & Latino Voters

(04:50–08:19)

• Trump Refocuses on Economy:
  Post-election, Trump proposes new economic policies aimed at affordability (e.g., checks from tariff revenue).

  • Trump's prior electoral success attributed in part to voter frustration over inflation.

• Latino Voter Trends:
  Pew data shows a nearly 50/50 Latino split in 2024 after Democrats’ previous dominance.

  • Recent elections indicate a shift back toward Democrats in key counties.
  • Example: Mikie Sherrill wins Hudson County, NJ, by 50 points; previously Harris won by <30 points.

• Voter Sentiment:

  “People just don’t like the feeling of ... a lot of folks said whether they voted for Trump or not, they didn’t like what they were seeing coming out of Washington, that Trump was very focused on building his power... and less focused on improving their day to day lives.” – Sabrina Rodriguez, Washington Post ([07:14])

• Immigration Policy Backlash:

  • Deportation campaign found to extend beyond “criminals,” with community members and long-term residents also targeted.

  “They’re seeing those people also be deported. And that is certainly shifting the sentiment around what his immigration policy looks like.” – Sabrina Rodriguez ([07:46])

• Political Implications:
  Some view results as a rejection of the GOP rather than an embrace of Democrats; Democrats remain broadly unpopular. ([08:19])

3. Pasta Wars: U.S.-Italy Tariff Dispute

(08:19–11:33)

• New Tariffs Threaten Italian Pasta Imports:

  • US considers tariffs up to 107% on certain Italian pasta brands, combining 15% on all EU and an additional 92% on 13 specific exporters.

  “Italian companies are facing tariffs of up to 107% as soon as January of next year.” – Gavin Bade, Wall Street Journal ([09:21])

• Industry Impact:

  • Anti-dumping duties have existed for decades, but never this high; may drive Italian pasta out of the US market.

  “Their product would be priced so high... they just don’t think they would have a chance in the marketplace.” – Gavin Bade ([10:40])

• Cultural & Economic Stakes:

  • Italian pasta makes up 12% of the US market; potential reputational & diplomatic ramifications.

  “The Italians have a lot of pride in their pasta making... Italy is kind of embodied in pasta for them.” – Gavin Bade ([11:11])

Notable Quotes

• “The country has never been in better shape...” – Donald Trump ([00:54])
• “These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong.” – Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt ([02:22])
• “Justice cannot wait another day. Adelante mi gente... Thank you very much.” – Rep. Adelita Grijalva ([03:37])
• “The deal for Republicans on this vote is that Trump will protect you if you vote the wrong way... But I would remind my colleagues that this vote is going to be on your record for longer than Trump is going to be president.” – Rep. Thomas Massie ([04:32])
• “People just don’t like the feeling of... what they were seeing coming out of Washington.” – Sabrina Rodriguez ([07:14])
• “Italian companies are facing tariffs of up to 107% as soon as January of next year.” – Gavin Bade ([09:21])

Additional Stories & Memorable Moments

(11:33–end)

• Human Rights Watch Report:
  250+ Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador were tortured; Trump administration accused of complicity.

  • White House: “President is committed to... removing dangerous criminal and terrorist illegal aliens...” ([after 11:33])

• Northern Lights Across the US:

  • Auroras visible as far south as Florida due to solar maximum; NPR commentary on spectacle and science.

• South Korea’s Day of College Exams:

  • Country comes to a standstill; flights grounded, stores closed, even the stock market delayed, all in support of high-stakes student testing.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:05] – Breaking political news in D.C.: Government reopens, Epstein emails namedrop Trump
• [02:22] – White House response to Epstein emails
• [03:37] – Rep. Grijalva backs petition to release Epstein files
• [04:32] – GOP tensions, Rep. Massie’s warning
• [04:50] – Economic messaging post-elections, Latino voter analysis
• [07:14] – Insights from Latino communities, policy backlash
• [09:21] – Italian pasta tariffs threaten imports
• [11:33] – Global roundup: Venezuela deportations, northern lights, South Korea exams

Conclusion

This episode provides a rapid, insightful update on the political fallout following the release of new Epstein emails implicating Trump, internal party pressures in Congress, shifting Latino voter dynamics, and a fun but serious look at “pasta wars” between the US and Italy. Listeners get both an immediate sense of the week's top stories and richer analysis from expert guests and journalists, all in Apple News Today’s signature brisk, informative style.