Balance of Power – "Trump Supports Epstein Files Vote"

Podcast: Balance of Power
Host: Bloomberg (Michelle Jamrisko & Joe Mathieu)
Air Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

This episode of Balance of Power focuses on former President Donald Trump’s dramatic reversal regarding the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the political, legal, and strategic implications of this move just ahead of a pivotal Congressional vote. The discussion sets this against a backdrop of other hot topics, including Trump’s response to the Nick Fuentes controversy, a critical state visit from Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, US-Venezuela tensions, and ongoing debates about healthcare and affordability in America. Featuring insights from Bloomberg correspondents, editors, political strategists, a former ambassador, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore, the episode untangles the strategy, risks, and political theater dominating the headlines.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s 180° Reversal on the Epstein Files (00:56, 02:51, 18:30, 19:11)

• Context: Trump publicly urges House Republicans to vote for the release of the Epstein files via a Truth Social post, calling the ongoing focus a “Democrat hoax” and professing that “we have nothing to hide.”

• Background: Days earlier, Trump and the White House tried to stop the vote by pressuring GOP holdouts like Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace and dealing with a fallout involving Marjorie Taylor Greene.

• Analysis:

  • Bloomberg's Michelle Jamrisko notes the reversal is “curious,” given previous White House resistance.
  • Senior Editor Wendy Benjaminson highlights the possible strategic motivations, suggesting Trump may be trying to take control before a likely defeat in the House, or anticipates the files won’t be released anyway due to ongoing DOJ investigations.
  • Rick Davis (Bloomberg Politics contributor) comments that Trump is “giving them the freedom to do what perhaps they would have done anyway… why not own it?” (18:59)

• Notable Quotes:

  • "It's really hard to tell with Donald Trump because he's either a bull careening into a china shop or he's playing four dimensional chess..." – Wendy Benjaminson (02:51)
  • "He's seen the writing on the wall that they want to move a certain direction and maybe he was going to lose the vote. So why not own it?" – Joe Mathieu (18:59)

• Speculation: The consensus is that this could be a political “smokescreen,” possibly allowing the Department of Justice to cite ongoing investigations to delay or heavily redact the release if the bill passes.

• Cynicism on Real Disclosure:

  • Rick Davis suggests the files may end up so redacted they’re meaningless: “You don’t think they’re going to be a massive number of redactions in this material... you don’t think that’s going to have a backlash if it gets out? So look, I think we’re just seeing the beginning of this story. This could take us all the way through to Christmas Day." (27:18)

2. Nick Fuentes/Tucker Carlson Controversy (04:07, 20:06, 20:22)

• Backdrop: Trump responds to Tucker Carlson’s interview with self-identified white nationalist Nick Fuentes, a divisive figure even within the Republican/MAGA sphere.
• Trump’s Response: Trump distances himself: “I don’t know much about him, but if [Carlson] wants to interview him, get the word out, let him. People have to decide.” (20:22)
• Panel Reactions:
  • Rick Davis: “Is it better or worse for Donald Trump to actually do this himself and preempt Congress or let Congress roll him. Nobody buys this fact that he is now saying, oh, I'm for this.” (27:18)
  • Jeannie Shan Zaino (Bloomberg): Frames Trump’s stance as surrender to "the worst parts of this MAGA coalition," claiming, "He can’t get them not to release the Epstein files. And he can’t even denounce Nick Fuentes..." (23:15, 28:59)

3. Saudi Arabia’s Upcoming State Visit & Middle East Geopolitics (04:32, 08:20, 09:17, 10:21)

• Preview of MBS Visit: The Saudi Crown Prince is scheduled for a near-state-visit, seeking F-35 jets, economic coordination, a nuclear accord, and US backing comparable to recent deals with other Middle Eastern allies.

• Ambassador James Jeffrey’s Analysis:

  • Sees visit as key to a wider regional coalition and stability: “It’s locking in a regional security, trade and diplomatic coalition that will build on...the defeat of Iran, its proxy empire...to allow the region finally to enjoy peace, prosperity, political independence and allow the United States slowly to back out of the region...” (09:17)
  • Notes the Crown Prince wants “acknowledgment,” US investment, and tangible progress toward a Palestinian state as stipulations for broader normalization.

• US Policy Dilemma:

  • Loses Israeli military advantage by supplying F-35 jets to Saudis unless offset by progress on Abraham Accords.
  • Trump’s personal and family business ties to Saudi Arabia are noted.

4. US-Venezuela Tension and Prospects for Regime Change (05:46, 06:14)

• US Military Posturing: Carrier groups off the coast and ambiguous signals as to whether diplomacy or military action (regime change) is on the table. “This is the way Donald Trump likes to operate…” – Wendy Benjaminson (04:45)
• Maduro Negotiations: Trump signaling openness to talks with Maduro, but little transparency on the ultimate goals.

5. Palestinian Statehood and Gaza (15:00, 15:18)

• Current Status: Saudi progress on recognizing Israel and Abraham Accords is stalled, partly over Gaza turmoil.
• Trump’s Position: Amb. Jeffrey: “Trump is pushing…a pathway to a Palestinian state that’s not a Palestinian state, and that has made the Israelis nervous, or at least some Israelis...” (15:18)

6. Health Care & Affordability (38:16, 39:02, 39:22)

• Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s View:
  • No real overtures from Republicans on health care alternatives.
  • Warns that lacking extension of subsidies will spike premiums massively, with devastating results for lower and middle class Americans.
  • Ties affordability to everyday pain points, e.g., even the price hikes at McDonald's mean “the extra value meals are no longer an extra value...that’s a measurement of people’s well being.” (40:57)

7. Economic Signals & Food/Agriculture

• Tariff Relief and Price Volatility:
  • Trump's exemptions on tariffs for food items lauded, but Moore argues the impact will not be immediately felt (“can’t just hit the undo button…” (41:58)), and farmers remain deeply impacted.

8. Bitcoin Segment (31:55–36:06)

• Not central to episode theme (after main political discussion), but features Mike McGlone on bitcoin’s volatility and skepticism over crypto as a store of value.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Wendy Benjaminson (on Trump’s motives):

  • "He's either a bull careening into a china shop or he's playing four dimensional chess." (02:51)
  • "The shift is absolutely remarkable. Also, remember he took a shellacking in the elections..." (02:51)

• Joe Mathieu (on timing):

  • "He’s giving them the freedom to do what perhaps they would have done anyway...He’s seen the writing on the wall that they want to move a certain direction and maybe he was going to lose the vote. So why not own it?" (18:59)

• Rick Davis (on political strategy):

  • "I'm not sure what he's owning...people have to decide—decide about what?" (21:46)

• Jeannie Shan Zaino (on Trump’s standing within MAGA):

  • “...this is a surrender to the worst parts of this MAGA coalition...he is being led around by the chain from the most extreme elements...” (23:15, 28:59)

• Amb. James Jeffrey (on the MBS visit):

  • “It’s locking in a regional security, trade and diplomatic coalition...” (09:17)
  • "He’s promised 600 billion in Saudi investment in the US and that's a good deal for Saudi Arabia..." (10:21)

• Congresswoman Gwen Moore (on affordability):

  • "The extra value meals are no longer an extra value...that's a measurement of people's well being. People don't have to discern whether or not they can afford a lobster. When you can't take your kids drive through McDonald's, you know you're in trouble." (40:57)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Trump’s Epstein Files Shift & Fallout: 00:56–07:13, 18:30–28:42, 42:54–44:02
• Saudi State Visit & Middle East Geopolitics: 08:20–16:48
• Nick Fuentes/Tucker Carlson Controversy: 20:06–24:58
• Panel Analysis (Davis/Zaino): 21:46–30:05
• Economy, Healthcare, Affordability
  • Congresswoman Gwen Moore interview: 38:16–44:02
• Bitcoin Segment: 31:55–36:06

Episode Tone & Takeaway

The conversation throughout is steeped in skepticism, wariness of political theater, and recognition of the high-stakes, often cynical calculations at play. The panel maintains a mix of irony, hard-edged analysis, and directness (“led around by the chain”—Zaino; “bull careening into a china shop”—Benjaminson; “so look, I think we’re just seeing the beginning of this story”—Davis).

The episode underscores the volatility in national politics as Trump attempts to get ahead of near-certain outcomes, shifts the blame, and skillfully manipulates optics at home and abroad. Meanwhile, policy consequences on affordability, healthcare, and global security loom large, with every move seemingly positioned for the next news cycle or political confrontation.

For listeners:
This episode provides a fast-moving, multifaceted examination of a presidency—and a nation—at a political crossroads, as old scandals resurface and new crises loom, with bitter partisan trust and calculation at every turn.