Nightly Scroll with Hayley: “Jeffrey Epstein’s Dem Buddies Start To Spiral”

Host: Hayley Caronia
Episode: 181
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

Hayley Caronia delivers her signature blunt conservative commentary on the latest political scandals and culture war flashpoints. The main theme of this episode is the fallout from Democratic delegate Stacey Plaskett’s revealed ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the failed House effort to censure her, and the broader pattern of political back-scratching and hypocrisy. Caronia also tackles hot topics including Democratic politicians’ calls for military resistance, migrant issues in sanctuary cities, the controversy over amplified mosque prayers in Dearborn, Joy Reid’s remarks on trans issues, and concludes with pop culture moments and viral videos.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. House Fails to Censure Delegate Stacey Plaskett Over Epstein Ties

• Background: The House Freedom Caucus attempts to censure Democrat Rep. Stacey Plaskett for her text messages with Jeffrey Epstein during Michael Cohen’s 2019 hearing. The effort fails due to some Republicans voting no or present, and no support from Democrats.
  • “I thought the Democrats wanted all the transparency. Release the files. They only want to release the files if it’s going to get Trump.” – Hayley (03:37)
• Tit for Tat Politics: The GOP’s choice to not censure Plaskett seen as a quid-pro-quo. Democrats agree not to pursue censure of Rep. Corey Mills (R-FL), previously accused of unrelated ethics violations, if Republicans avoid censuring Plaskett.
• Significance of Censure: Caronia notes that censures are essentially symbolic—“slap on the wrist”—but removing someone from a committee (as could have happened to Mills) is a more serious consequence.
• GOP Backlash: Several Republican representatives (Anna Paulina Luna, Nancy Mace, Kat Cammack) denounce the deal, arguing for accountability regardless of party.
  • “I’m proud of Republicans here for calling out their own when they’re, you know, doing anything wrong. It doesn’t matter what party you’re on… we are going to come for you.” – Hayley (07:50)

Memorable Quotes:

• [05:19] Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) video:
  “She’s on some pretty powerful committees and that just tells you how corrupt this place is… They cut a deal on an ethics vote on a Republican. And that’s just wrong.”
• [07:21] Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL):
  “Why leadership on both sides… are cutting back end deals to cover up public corruption in the House of Representatives from both Republican and Democrat members of Congress?”

2. Stacey Plaskett, Epstein, and Democrat Deflections

• Plaskett’s Defense: Plaskett claims she merely communicated with Epstein as a constituent and downplays their relationship.
  • [08:52] Plaskett: “Having a friendship with him is not something that I would deemed to have. And so I’m just looking forward, I’m moving forward.”
• Hayley’s Take: Caronia derides Plaskett’s explanations and underscores the ongoing influence Epstein had over her through money and favors, even if the contributed funds were later donated after public exposure.
  • [11:47] “He was reprehensible, but she took his money anyway… That’s because Jeffrey Epstein had power and… she and other Democrats needed his money to win elections.” – Hayley

Notable Quote:

• [13:16] House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ non-answer:
  “Stacey Plaskett is not accused of violating any House rule, any law, any statute, and she’s clearly and unequivocally denounced Jeffrey Epstein.”

3. Media Coverage & Attempts to Tie Trump to Epstein

• Jen Psaki Interview with Epstein Survivor: Psaki pushes an Epstein survivor to implicate Donald Trump’s awareness of past events at Mar-a-Lago. The survivor refuses to confirm Trump’s involvement.
  • [16:21] Epstein survivor: “I don’t know if he was aware, actually. I can’t answer that, I’m sorry.”
  • [16:37] Hayley: “Desperately trying to get this very clearly anxious Epstein victim to admit to Trump’s wrongdoing.”
• Larry Summers’ Resignation: Summers, former Harvard president, is also outed in the Epstein files and expresses shame to students.
  • [18:11] Larry Summers: “I’ve said that I’m going to step back from public activities… expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein.”

4. Democrats Call on Military & Law Enforcement to Defy Orders ([23:21])

• Former Military Serving in Congress Release Video: Call on members of the military and intelligence communities to refuse “illegal orders,” clearly aimed at the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.
  • “This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens like us. You all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution.” ([23:34])
• Caronia’s View: Argues that enforcing immigration law is not illegal, calls the appeal “sedition.”
  • “This is sedition. It is a crime. And just because Democrats think that Trump’s enforcement of immigration law is illegal doesn’t make it so.” ([24:25])

5. Crime, Immigration, and Sanctuary Cities

• National Guard Withdrawal from Blue Cities: Caronia updates listeners on the redeployment of National Guard troops from LA, Portland, and Chicago, and warns of rising crime in cities like Memphis and impending ICE operations in New York City.
  • [27:50] Tom Homan (former ICE): “We’re going to be coming to New York City. We’re already there now… we will increase the enforcement present in New York City, again, because they’re a sanctuary city.”
• NYC Mayoral & Gubernatorial Politics:
  • New progressive mayor (Zohran Mamdani) threatens to abolish NYPD anti-riot division; Caronia fears a “scary” future for NYC and sees the potential for Republican Elise Stefanik to make gains against Gov. Hochul.

6. Dearborn Mosque Call to Prayer Controversy ([32:30])

• Issue: Residents complain about call to prayer at 70 decibels, five times a day.
• Mayor’s Response: Downplays complaints and cites decibel readings as legal.
• Religious Freedom Debate: Caronia questions if amplified religious messages (with doctrinal statements like “Muhammad is the messenger of God”) are truly analogous to church bells and whether this infringes on others’ rights in a pluralist society.

7. Joy Reid’s Shift on Transgender Locker Room Debate ([37:00])

• Joy Reid (former MSNBC) admits on a podcast she’d be uncomfortable seeing a man’s genitalia in a women’s locker room.
  • [37:15] Joy Reid: “If I saw a penis in the ladies’ locker room, I would freak out, too.”
  • [37:29] Co-host: “Why is there somebody—a naked man in this room?”
• Caronia’s Commentary: Highlights this as a point Republicans have made for years, claiming women’s rights to private spaces are now increasingly validated, even by unlikely voices.
  • “This is what Republicans have been saying for years. And Democrats have called them bigots…” ([37:59])

8. COVID, the Deep State, and Democratic Fraud

• Cash Patel on CIA COVID Origins Coverup: Patel claims CIA analysts were paid to alter COVID origin assessments to match political narratives unfavorable to Trump.
  • [39:07] Cash Patel: “That’s a CIA institutional decision to spend taxpayer dollars to lie to the world where Covid came from…”
  • Caronia points out that early COVID “conspiracy theories” have since been vindicated.
• Democrat Sentenced for PPP Fraud:
  • Ibrahim Samira, ex-VA Delegate, found guilty of pocketing $83,000 in loans for non-existent employees during COVID lockdowns.
  • “Why did the Democrats push the lockdown so hard? Because it was the Democrats doing it. …The treatment was worse than the disease. But not for slimy politicians who are making a quick buck off all of it.” ([43:29])

9. Ted Cruz vs. Tucker Carlson: 2028 Presidential Run?

• Axios reports Cruz is positioning himself for 2028, partly by picking fights with media figures like Tucker Carlson.
  • [45:41-47:50] Tense exchange over biblical justification for Israel support and Cruz’s donations from AIPAC.
    • Tucker: “So you’re quoting a Bible phrase… you don’t know where in the Bible it is, but that’s like your theology? I’m confused. What does that even mean?”
    • Cruz: “I came into Congress… with the stated intention of being the leading defender of Israel in the United States. I work every day to do that.”
  • [48:02] Hayley: “I don’t want a president of the United States to put anyone first but America. That’s it.”
  • Ted Cruz statement (from Axios): “[We] can’t look the other way. I won’t hesitate to call out those who peddle destructive, vile rhetoric…”
  • Tucker’s response: “This is hilarious. Good luck.” ([50:03])
  • Commentary: Hayley argues Cruz is out of touch with younger conservative figures and looks foolish for picking fights with popular influencers.

10. Quick Hits & Viral Moments

• Pete Buttigieg Calls JD Vance a ‘Fascist’ ([53:15]): Accuses Vance of shapeshifting politics for convenience; Hayley notes Buttigieg’s own willingness to play any political role or identity.
• Pro-life Activist Convo with Liberal Student ([55:34]): Student admits to abortion, says she plans to sterilize herself and is “proud” to end her bloodline. Demonstrates the nihilism and disconnect in parts of the progressive left.
  • [56:55] Student: “I’m ending my bloodline and I’m proud of that.”
• Cat Delivery Video ([58:52]): Lighthearted clip of a delivery driver repeatedly removing a cat from a van, providing a comical wrap-up to the episode.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Speaker | Quote | Timestamp | |----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) | “They cut a deal on another… ethics vote on a Republican. And that’s just wrong.” | 05:19 | | Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) | “Why leadership on both sides… are cutting back end deals to cover up public corruption…” | 07:21 | | Joy Reid | “If I saw a penis in the ladies’ locker room, I would freak out, too.” | 37:15 | | Janet (Epstein survivor) | “I don’t know if he was aware, actually. I can’t answer that, I’m sorry.” | 16:21 | | Larry Summers | “Expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein…” | 18:11 | | Cash Patel | “That’s a CIA institutional decision to spend taxpayer dollars to lie to the world where Covid came from.” | 39:07 | | Tucker Carlson | “So you’re quoting a Bible phrase… you don’t know where in the Bible it is, but that’s like your theology? I’m confused.” | 45:54 | | Ted Cruz | “I came into Congress… with the stated intention of being the leading defender of Israel…” | 47:14 | | Unnamed student | “I’m ending my bloodline and I’m proud of that.” | 56:55 |

Conclusion

In this episode, Hayley Caronia exposes what she frames as Democratic hypocrisy and Republican weakness over the Epstein-Plaskett censure, examines media bias in the Trump-Epstein narrative, critiques left-wing cultural and political trends, and highlights the deep distrust between factions of the conservative movement. The tone remains unapologetically combative, and the episode ends on a lighter pop culture note.

Recommended for: Listeners interested in a brash, conservative take on major political scandals, party infighting, shifting social norms, and viral moments from the news and internet.

For further context, see these standout moments:

• [05:08] Tim Burchett’s reaction to the failed censure vote
• [08:52] Stacey Plaskett’s self-defense and Hayley’s response
• [13:16] Hakeem Jeffries dodges a key question on Plaskett-Epstein texts
• [16:21] Jen Psaki’s interview with an Epstein survivor
• [18:11] Larry Summers’ apology to students
• [23:21] Democrats’ video urging military resistance to Trump orders
• [37:15] Joy Reid’s “locker room” admission
• [39:07] Cash Patel on CIA COVID origins coverup
• [45:41] Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson’s debate on Israel support
• [56:55] Viral student interview (“proud to end my bloodline”)

Original, candid, and at times incendiary, this episode of Nightly Scroll is a thorough ride through the week’s most controversial news stories, filtered through Hayley Caronia’s sharp conservative lens.