Bulwark Takes: Fox News Buries Epstein Scandal – Detailed Summary
Episode Title: Fox News Buries Epstein Scandal
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Sarah Longwell
Guest: Bill Kristol
1. Introduction to the Epstein Scandal and Fox News’s Silence
The episode kicks off with Sarah Longwell addressing the persistent discussions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing that while her team at The Bulwark continues to delve into the scandal, Fox News remains conspicuously silent on the matter. Sarah questions why a major news outlet with historical ties to political figures like Epstein and Trump would choose to overlook such a significant story.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Longwell [00:00]: "We are still talking about Epstein. Can't stop, won't stop. But you know who isn't talking about Epstein is our friends over at Fox News, your former employer."
2. Fox News's Lack of Coverage: Analyzing the Reasons
Bill Kristol responds to Sarah’s observation, expressing surprise but rationalizing Fox News’s silence by suggesting that their allegiance to Trump, who is potentially implicated in the Epstein cover-up, might prevent them from reporting critically on the scandal.
Notable Quotes:
Bill Kristol [00:17]: "Shocking. But it's fair and balanced over there, Sarah... if Epstein is a huge story... Why should they cover that, really?"
Sarah Longwell [00:35]: "It's like they don't even seem to be pretending now."
3. Media Ownership and Credibility Issues
Sarah points out the irony of Fox News and The Wall Street Journal both being owned by Rupert Murdoch, questioning why credible reporting on Trump's briefing about Epstein—highlighted by recent Wall Street Journal articles—remains absent from Fox’s narratives.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Longwell [00:35]: "If Epstein is a huge story... Fox used to at least try to offer the patina of credibility... But they don't even seem to be pretending now."
4. Republican Base and Media Ecosystem Disconnect
The conversation shifts to how Fox News’s blackout on Epstein impacts Republican voters, especially older Republicans who rely heavily on Fox for news. Sarah highlights a focus group finding where many Republicans are unaware of significant Epstein-related revelations, attributing it to Fox’s selective reporting.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Longwell [01:40]: "One of the things that becomes abundantly quite clear... they just live in a totally different media ecosystem."
5. Recent Developments and Subpoena Dynamics
Bill discusses a recent development where Republicans joined Democrats in supporting a subpoena for Bill and Hillary Clinton in the Epstein probe, a move he describes as a “Democratic victory.” This cooperation indicates growing bipartisan concern, yet Fox News downplays it by only highlighting minor concessions.
Notable Quote:
Bill Kristol [03:01]: "This was a little bit of a stunt, but a stunt that actually seems to probably will result in a real subpoena."
6. Pressure from Within the Republican Base
Sarah introduces insights from their reporting, revealing that Republicans are under immense pressure from their constituents to release the Epstein files. She notes that Republican voters are demanding transparency, fearing that the DOJ and other officials are lagging in addressing the scandal.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Longwell [04:24]: "If you talk to a Republican right now, they're saying they're getting 50 to one calls from people saying, release the Epstein files."
7. The Importance of Transparency and Public Accountability
Bill underscores the significance of the Epstein story, labeling it as a "genuinely massive story." He criticizes both parties for potential cover-ups and warns that Fox News’s silence could allow Trump to manipulate the narrative, especially with his control over the federal government.
Notable Quote:
Bill Kristol [04:24]: "It's a huge scandal. Now what's interesting about what you say is can they succeed in getting that 50:1 ratio way down?"
8. Public Opinion and Poll Insights
Toward the end of the discussion, Bill highlights a recent Fox News poll indicating that approximately 70% of respondents believe the government has not been transparent about the Epstein scandal. Additionally, he notes that 20% of the public admits to not following the story closely, a figure he finds misleading given the high engagement from the remaining 80%.
Notable Quote:
Bill Kristol [14:04]: "Four in five of American voters say they're following the story closely. That is not just Trump's base."
9. Potential Cover-Ups and Future Concerns
Both hosts express deep concerns about possible cover-ups involving high-ranking officials and the potential manipulation of the Epstein files to protect Trump. They speculate on the lengths to which the administration might go to suppress damaging information, including manipulating or destroying evidence.
Notable Quote:
Bill Kristol [24:29]: "He can tell justice. He can... persuade Maxwell that maybe her future will be brighter if she says the right things about Trump."
10. The Inherent Need for Truth and Accountability
In their concluding remarks, Sarah emphasizes the fundamental human desire for truth, especially in cases involving heinous crimes like those committed by Epstein. She advocates for transparency and urges listeners and insiders to leak information to ensure accountability, despite the administration’s attempts to suppress it.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Longwell [25:19]: "What we all want is the truth."
11. Brief Overview of Other News Without Epstein Focus
Towards the end, the hosts briefly mention other news headlines that did not receive coverage on the episode, highlighting the stark contrast between the significance of the Epstein scandal and the triviality of other topics being discussed by Fox News.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Longwell [18:10]: "We went and pulled Jesse Waters headline from his show. He didn't talk about Epstein at all."
Conclusion
The episode "Fox News Buries Epstein Scandal" by Bulwark Takes provides a critical examination of Fox News's lack of coverage on the Epstein scandal, exploring the implications for political transparency, media credibility, and public accountability. Through insightful dialogue between Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol, the discussion underscores the troubling silence surrounding Epstein's connections to high-profile political figures and the potential ramifications for democratic integrity.