Bulwark Takes – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Is Trump Considering PARDONS for Sex Offenders?
Podcast Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Tim Miller & Sam Stein
Episode Overview
This episode dives into Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding the possibility of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell after her latest appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court. Tim Miller and Sam Stein analyze Trump’s evasive, ambiguous answers on the matter, discuss his historic responses around sexual offenders, compare his tone when discussing sex crimes versus other topics, and debate the broader political ramifications of the Epstein-Maxwell saga for Trump.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump’s Response to Pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell
- Recap of the Incident ([00:20] – [01:32])
Trump was asked, after Ghislaine Maxwell’s Supreme Court appeal was rejected, whether he’d consider a pardon. He responded:"You know, I haven't heard the name in so long I can say this that I'd have to take a look at it. I would have to take a look."
— Donald Trump ([01:36]) - Hosts ridicule Trump’s claim to not remember Maxwell, noting his extensive prior associations with her.
2. The Evasiveness and Deflections in Trump’s Answer
- Trump repeatedly avoids a clear answer, stating he "needs to look at it," and brings up unrelated names:
"A lot of people have asked me for pardons. I call him. Puff Daddy has asked me for a pardon."
— Donald Trump ([02:09]) - Hosts note Trump’s strategy—playing coy instead of outright condemning or denying.
3. A Pattern of Minimizing or Sympathizing with Sex Offenders
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Trump’s past remarks about Maxwell are contrasted with his harsher statements about migrants or his own officials.
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A comparison is drawn with Trump’s 2020 statement:
"I just wish her well, frankly."
— Donald Trump ([03:50]) -
Tim Miller’s outrage:
“This is one of the most notorious underage child sex traffickers in the country. She is horrific. And I hope that she experiences the consequences of her actions.”
— Tim Miller ([04:13])
4. The Disparity in Trump’s Tone Toward Sex Offenders vs. Others
- Discussion on Trump’s harsher rhetoric toward migrants and decorated veterans compared to his leniency with sex offenders:
“Think about the difference in the way Donald Trump talks about Joan Maxwell versus how he talks about, like, random migrants...They're vicious criminals...They must be sent out of the country...”
— Tim Miller ([04:22]) - Sam Stein highlights that Trump is consistently unable to simply commit to not pardoning a sex offender.
5. The ‘Puff Daddy’ Non Sequitur and Its Implications
- Both hosts note Trump’s random mention of Puff Daddy (Diddy) also asking for a pardon as a sign that these figures are interconnected in Trump’s mind:
“The key tell, as you'd say at the poker table...when asked about one child sex trafficker, out of nowhere he brings up another sexual criminal.”
— Tim Miller ([05:14]) - They reject the ‘dementia’ theory, seeing instead a strategic ambiguity.
6. Political Fallout: Does It Matter?
- Tim and Sam debate the political ramifications of the Trump-Maxwell/Epstein saga:
“Sarah...thinks this...cover up [is] going to be a millstone around Trump's neck...I just, I remain pretty skeptical of that.”
— Tim Miller ([09:45]) - Sam takes a middle ground:
“Any issue that dominates the conversation for a month and a half...is significant...But...I just don't know that people are gonna...maybe there's a portion...that's the extent of it.”
— Sam Stein ([10:38]) - Both agree it creates distractions but doubt it will change electoral outcomes, although Democrats may use it to keep Trump off-balance or draw fundraising energy.
7. Trump’s Psychology and Self-Incrimination
- Discussion on why Trump won’t simply deny pardoning Maxwell:
“Why can't he just do that? What is like, the lack of capacity to do that?”
— Sam Stein ([12:27]) - Speculation about Trump’s comfort in dodging accountability, possible guilt, and his habitual association with dubious figures:
“He's gotten away with some dozen plus sexual assaults...This was something...from his distant past...he's kind of like, it was like 20 years ago...I went with this guy who's kind of a creep, and we had pinup parties with girls in bikinis.”
— Tim Miller ([13:30]) - Host questions if Trump is even capable of feeling humiliation regarding these associations.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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“He just wishes her well back then. Now he doesn't remember who she is, who back then. He was wishing her well.”
— Tim Miller ([03:54]) -
“Trump is like, who was that that you're talking about? It's a name I haven't heard in a long time.”
— Tim Miller & Sam Stein ([02:21], [02:34]) -
“If someone asked you that, you'd be like, how dare you? Why would you assume that I would ever do that?”
— Sam Stein ([04:15]) -
“It's pretty humiliating to see your note to Epstein with the pubic hair sign. Maybe he has that.”
— Sam Stein ([13:57])
Key Timestamps
- 00:20 – Intro to Trump’s Oval Office comments
- 01:21 – Audio of press questioning Trump on Maxwell pardon
- 03:50 – Replay of Trump’s "wish her well" comment about Maxwell
- 04:22 – Discussion of Trump’s rhetoric on migrants vs. sexual offenders
- 05:14 – Highlight of Trump mentioning Puff Daddy and pattern in referencing notorious figures
- 09:44 – Political question: Does the Maxwell saga damage Trump?
- 10:38 – Sam’s ‘middle ground’ analysis of political impact
- 12:27 – Why Trump can’t just give a straightforward answer
- 13:30 – Trump’s psychology and relationship to the Epstein circle
Conclusion
The hosts dissect Trump’s classic pattern of ambiguity and evasion when faced with direct questions about associates involved in sexual abuse cases. They emphasize the political theater of these non-answers: how they infuriate opponents, yet are unlikely to cause fundamental shifts in Trump’s political fortunes. Ultimately, the episode paints a portrait of Trump’s enduring refusal to flatly denounce or distance himself from notorious figures, and questions why he continues to behave in such a self-incriminating manner—even in the highest office.
For Further Listening
- Subscribe for continued coverage of Trump’s political maneuvers and daily news analysis.
- Upcoming episodes teased: Coverage of recent Cabinet meetings and further press briefings.