Bulwark Takes – Episode Summary

Episode: Epstein Victims Hold Presser; Trump Shrugs It Off as ‘Hoax’
Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts/Guests:

• Sam Stein (A) – Managing Editor, The Bulwark
• Joe Perdicone (B) – Author of Press Pass
• Ro Khanna (C) – U.S. Congressman (soundbite)
• Marjorie Taylor Greene (E) – U.S. Congresswoman (soundbite)
• Epstein Survivors (D, F) – Soundbites
• Donald Trump (G) – President (soundbite)

Episode Overview

This episode covers the unfolding political and public reaction surrounding the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, a Capitol Hill press conference with survivors, bipartisan congressional wrangling, and President Trump’s characterization of the Epstein investigation as a “hoax.” The Bulwark’s team dissects how Congress, the White House, victims, and the media are responding to demands for transparency, as well as the unique political dynamics and tensions in play.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Congressional Maneuvering over Epstein Files (00:09–04:49)

• Discharge Petition:

  • Reps. Thomas Massie (R) and Ro Khanna (D) introduced a discharge petition to force a House vote on the release of Epstein files, minus victim identities.
    • “This morning was when Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna unveiled their discharge petition ... they can use it to get 218 signatures, regardless of party, to force a vote.” (00:27 – B)
  • Status: 212 Democrats and 4 Republicans have signed; 2 more Republican signatures are needed.
    • “...they need just two more signatures to force the release of these documents.” (04:55 – C)

• Victim Support:

  • Survivors attended and spoke at the press conference, passionate in their appeals for document release.

• Oversight Committee’s Response:

  • Chaired by James Comer (R), released 30,000 mostly duplicate documents, promising more to come in a slow drip, which allows Republicans to claim the process is ongoing and avoid signing the discharge petition.
    • “...most of which were duplicates. So what it does, though, is it gives these Republicans an out to not sign the discharge petition…” (01:48 – B)

• Republican Hesitation:

  • Only 4 Republican signers: Massie, Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene. The rest, including prior co-sponsors, appear to be waiting or claim to be satisfied with the document dump.
    • “So Tim Burchett was like, oh, I'm satisfied with this document release. I'm satisfied with what oversight's doing.” (03:49 – B)

• White House Involvement:

  • Allegedly pressuring Republicans not to sign, labeling the petition as a “hostile act.”
    • “...an official gave a statement that, you know, this is considered a hostile act towards the administration.” (03:49 – B)
    • “Yeah, why would it be hostile? Unless they thought that the release would be damaging to the administration.” (04:21 – A)

2. Details from the Press Conference (04:45–08:49)

• Bipartisan Optics:

  • Ro Khanna expressed surprise at sharing a presser with Marjorie Taylor Greene, highlighting rare bipartisan cooperation.
    • “I've never done a press conference with Marjorie Taylor Greene before.” (07:46 – C)

• Victim Testimony:

  • Survivors spoke personally, directly appealing to Trump, emphasizing the reality of their trauma and rejecting claims this is a “hoax.”
    • “Mr. President, Donald J. Trump. I am a registered Republican … this is not a hoax. We are real human beings. This is real trauma.” (07:56 – F)

• Trump Connections Raised:

  • One survivor claimed Epstein bragged about a close relationship with Trump.
    • “He bragged about his powerful friends, including our current president, Donald Trump. It was his biggest brag.” (06:36 – D)
  • Marjorie Taylor Greene notably stone-faced to these statements, later flipping the “hostile act” rhetoric back on the administration.
    • “The hostile act has been against these women for so many years now … covering up for Jeffrey Epstein.” (07:10 – E)

• Protest & Atmosphere:

  • Press conference was emotionally charged. Greene faced protestor jeers when exiting, with Ro Khanna remarking on the rare coalition.

• Disruption:

  • A military flyover honoring a Polish pilot briefly deafened attendees, creating surreal confusion during the event.
    • “They're so loud and so it like deafened the entire scene for like a good 20 seconds.” (05:33 – B)

3. Trump’s Response and Broader Political Reflections (08:49–10:37)

• Trump’s Public Comments:

  • While meeting a Polish leader, Trump called the inquiry a “hoax,” suggesting it's a “Democrat hoax” meant to distract from his administration’s successes.
    • “It’s really a Democrat hoax because they’re trying to get people to talk about something that’s total, relevant to the success that we’ve had as a nation since I’ve been president. And I know that no matter what you do, it’s going to keep going.” (09:08 – G)

• Host Reactions:

  • Sam Stein criticizes Trump’s defensive posture, arguing he could simply defer to agencies but instead invites suspicion:
    • “He could just say, look, this is a matter for the Oversight Committee or this is a matter for DOJ … Instead he acts weird and guilty about it … that's like just going to be a self inflicted wound…” (09:21 – A)
  • Joe Perdicone adds, “He behaves like someone who is extremely guilty.” (10:05)

• Process and Momentum:

  • The hosts lament how, despite weeks to prepare, Congress and leadership appear disorganized, undermining momentum for any real action.

4. Where Does It Go Next? (10:37–End)

• Political Risks and Next Steps:
  • Pressure remains on House GOP to flip two final signatures for the petition; much depends on fear of Trump and right-wing backlash.
    • “...it depends on how frightened these guys are of retribution again from Trump. They're being given these outs. But it also matters … how the online right responds.” (10:39 – B)
  • Closely watched to see if the “online right” will move on or escalate attention.
    • “...if you're two votes short of the discharge petition, it's going to be a lot of attention to see if any lawmakers flip.” (11:11 – A)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ro Khanna on Republican support:
  “We need just two more signatures to force the release.” (04:55 – C)
• Victim directly to Trump:
  “To say that it's a hoax is just not. Please humanize us. I would like Donald J. Trump ... to humanize us.” (08:23 – F)
• Marjorie Taylor Greene on ‘hostile act’: “The hostile act has been against these women for so many years now … The hostile act is covering up for Jeffrey Epstein.” (07:10 – E)
• Sam Stein on Trump’s PR fail:
  “He behaves like someone who is extremely guilty.” (10:05 – B)
• Trump brushing off the investigation:
  “It’s really a Democrat hoax because they’re trying to get people to talk about something ... it’s going to keep going.” (09:08 – G)

Important Timestamps

• 00:27 – Discharge petition details and numbers
• 01:48 – Oversight Committee’s 30,000 duplicate/placeholder documents
• 03:49 – GOP hesitancy, pressure, and White House involvement
• 04:55 – Ro Khanna’s plea for final signatures
• 06:36 & 07:56 – Survivors’ testimony, appeals to Trump, and mention of his relationship with Epstein
• 07:10 – Marjorie Taylor Greene aligns “hostile act” with victims, not White House
• 09:08 – Trump dismisses the Epstein push as a “hoax”
• 10:39 – The next phase: GOP straddling fear of Trump and right-wing base

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode blends hard-hitting analysis with frustration and incredulity at both congressional inertia and Trump’s combative posture. The survivors’ testimonies provide an emotional anchor, humanizing what could otherwise be a pure “inside baseball” story. The hosts maintain a brisk, skeptical tone, and textures of skepticism and weariness with political gamesmanship are ever-present.