Global News Podcast: "Epstein Files: New Revelations about Trump"

BBC World Service | Host: Andrew Peach | Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a packed rundown of urgent global news stories, with a primary focus on newly released U.S. Justice Department files relating to Jeffrey Epstein and, notably, new revelations concerning former President Donald Trump’s ties to Epstein. The episode also covers the latest on the Russian attacks against Ukraine’s power infrastructure, the U.S. approval of a new weight loss pill, dramatic developments in Hollywood’s media mergers, updates on hormone replacement therapy and dementia, the future of Kenyan athletics, Trump’s political trajectory in 2025, and expert advice on keeping New Year’s resolutions.

Main Segment: Epstein Files Reveal New Details on Trump

[Starts ~03:40]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Context:
  The U.S. Justice Department’s largest release yet of Epstein-related files (over 30,000 documents) provides new insight into Epstein’s vast web of connections, including politicians, royals, and celebrities.
• Trump’s Links to Epstein:
  • An internal email from January 2020 shows that Donald Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least eight times between 1993–96.
  • At least four of those flights included Ghislaine Maxwell, and one flight had only Trump, Epstein, and a 20-year-old woman (whose name was redacted).
  • Two further flights listed witnesses relevant to the later Maxwell case.
  • Investigative correspondent Andy Verity emphasized:

    “Now, of course, his presence on the flights doesn't indicate wrongdoing.”—Andy Verity [05:10]

• Potential Political Impact:
  • The file’s significance is contextualized—the email was sent in early 2020, suggesting investigators didn’t want these facts to emerge as unwelcome surprises.
  • DOJ warning: Amid the release, some files, especially those close to the 2020 U.S. election, contain inaccuracies and sensational claims, urging caution.
  • Trump denies any wrongdoing; the podcast notes that the BBC’s requests for comment had not yet been answered.
• Royal Involvement:
  • A curious email from Balmoral (“The Invisible Man”) asks Ghislaine Maxwell for “inappropriate friends”, signed “A xxx”.
  • The email address in question matches one previously linked to the Duke of York (Prince Andrew) in earlier releases.
  • Andy Verity reinforces that “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing” and maintains he saw “no behavior of the sort that subsequently led to Jeffrey Epstein's arrest and conviction.” [07:40]

  • “Have you found me some new inappropriate friends? …see ya, A xxx.” [07:20]

Further Major Stories

Ukraine: Winter Blackouts Amid Russian Airstrikes

[08:55–15:30]

• Extensive Russian drone attacks target infrastructure, plunging thousands into darkness amidst freezing temperatures.
• Samira Hussain (on-ground in Kyiv):

  “You have a city full of lights… and suddenly you have a totally black city.” [11:05]

• Odessa, especially the port and old-town, is targeted; damage means many lack not just power, but also heating and water.
• Poland scrambles jets in response to increased regional tension.
• President Zelensky accuses Russia of deliberately escalating attacks at Christmas.

• “They are angry that this particular attack happened during Christmas.” — Samira Hussain [12:45]

Bethlehem: Birth and Resilience in the West Bank

[15:55–22:00]

• A year-long report from Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem chronicles childbirth under Israeli occupation.
• Stories highlight the hardships for Palestinian mothers, including dangerous travel, checkpoint delays, and stress-induced complications.
• Dr. George Zurbi:

  “The psychological pressure on the mothers, above all the fear… can lead to a premature birth.” [21:25]

• Moving personal narrative of Amani Hamdan and her premature twins, loss, and hope for peace.

U.S. Approves Pill Version of Wegovy for Weight Loss

[22:15–24:50]

• The FDA greenlights the first oral version of a blockbuster weight loss drug.
• Prof. Giles Yeoh highlights practicalities:

  “You have to take 70 times more [the dose], so it will be significantly more expensive.” [23:20]

• Prof. Jason Halford:

  “This is the first peptide pill… going to produce weight loss of between 15 to 17% according to the clinical trials.” [24:15]

Hollywood Mega-Mergers: Warner Bros. and Paramount

[25:10–27:50]

• Netflix bids $80B for Warner Bros. but Paramount counters with $100B, backed by a personal $40B guarantee from Larry Ellison.
• Judith MacKenzie (investment manager):

  “I think the Warner Brothers board are really going to have to take that seriously… it could get quite hostile.”

• Paul Fleming (Equity union):

  “Fewer players means fewer opportunities to sell product on, and that’s… how they get their secondary payments, and that’s the main source of income for workers in that sector.” [27:30]

• Concerns about jobs, royalties, and consumer choice in a consolidating media world.

Menopause Hormone Therapy & Dementia Risk

[27:55–30:10]

• No conclusive evidence that hormone therapy (HRT) increases or decreases dementia risk, based on a multinational review.
• Prof. Amy Spector (UCL):

  “Most of the research is observational… what we need is these randomised controlled trials...” [29:15]

• Highlights the ethical and practical challenges of running new clinical trials.

Eliud Kipchoge on Kenya’s Doping Crisis

[30:15–33:05]

• Kenyan running legend Kipchoge laments insufficient athlete support and education as key factors leading to doping.

• “Men and women don’t value the sport… and that’s what brings all this menace and the thinking of actually taking drugs.” — Eliud Kipchoge [32:45]

• Urges federations to nurture talent and uphold sporting legacy.

Donald Trump’s Tumultuous 2025

[33:10–37:05]

• Interview with Chris Ruddy (Newsmax CEO, friend of Trump) explores Trump’s declining approval ratings, mass deportations, and immigration crackdown.
• Economic commentary on inflation, with criticism for both Trump and Biden’s economic messaging.

• “He’s really closed down the border. There’s not the level of crossing there was…” — Chris Ruddy [33:45]

• On foreign policy:

  “His number one priority, he may not say this publicly, but I believe it’s true, is solving the Ukraine, Russian war.” [36:40]

Expert Tips on New Year’s Resolutions

[37:10–39:10]

• Helen Brown (Behavioural Insights Team) explains why resolutions rarely last, encouraging listeners to use “friction” to their advantage.

• “Much of it is around the smart use of friction and making it really easy for ourselves to follow through.” — Helen Brown [38:30]

• Suggestions: restricting phone notifications, using time-limits, and placing small obstacles between you and undesirable habits.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Donald Trump traveled many more times on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet than was previously reported.”
  — Andy Verity, BBC Investigations [04:35]
• “Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?…see ya, A xxx.”
  — Email, allegedly from ‘A’ at Balmoral, contextually linked to Prince Andrew [07:20]
• “You have a city full of lights… and suddenly you have a totally black city.”
  — Odessa resident, via Samira Hussain [11:05]
• “The psychological pressure on the mothers… can lead to a premature birth.”
  — Dr. Zurbi, Holy Family Hospital [21:25]
• “We have been looking for effective anti obesity management pills for 50 years…”
  — Prof. Halford [24:10]
• “Fewer players means fewer opportunities to sell product on, and that’s… how they get their secondary payments.”
  — Paul Fleming, Equity [27:30]
• “Men and women don’t value the sport… and that’s what brings all this menace and the thinking of actually taking drugs.”
  — Eliud Kipchoge [32:45]
• “He’s really closed down the border. There’s not the level of crossing there was…”
  — Chris Ruddy [33:45]

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Epstein files/Trump revelations: [03:40–09:30]
• Ukraine blackouts & frontline reports: [08:55–15:30]
• Bethlehem maternity in wartime: [15:55–22:00]
• Wegovy pill approval: [22:15–24:50]
• Hollywood mergers: [25:10–27:50]
• HRT & dementia: [27:55–30:10]
• Kipchoge & Kenyan athletics crisis: [30:15–33:05]
• Trump’s 2025 in review: [33:10–37:05]
• Expert advice on New Year’s resolutions: [37:10–39:10]

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the BBC’s signature tone: calm, authoritative, and accessible, with a blend of factual reporting, thoughtful analysis, and direct first-person narratives. Quotations range from investigative revelations to deeply personal accounts, lending the episode urgency and richness.

Summary Takeaway

This Global News Podcast provides a sweeping view of major world events, but its heart lies in new revelations about Trump’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein—news that could have significant political and cultural ripple effects. The episode’s rich mix of groundbreaking journalism, human-interest stories, and expert advice results in a timely, informative, and compelling listen for anyone seeking to understand both the headlines—and the people—behind them.