Podcast Summary: Something Wrong With The Podcast

Host: Julian Delgado
Episode: #44 – Rory’s Tweets & Epstein’s Emails
Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Julian dives into two explosive controversies shaking up both hip hop culture and the political landscape: the resurfacing of offensive tweets from Rory (of The New Rory and Maul Podcast) and the ongoing fallout from the release of Jeffrey Epstein–related emails involving major political players, including Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. With typical sharp humor and unfiltered honesty, Julian dissects how both situations are being (mis)handled publicly, reflecting on accountability, privilege, and the shifting boundaries of acceptable discourse.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Rory’s Deleted Tweets Scandal

(00:21 - 19:56)

Background & Timeline

• Julian introduces the controversy over Rory’s now-deleted tweets, which resurfaced and went viral on Twitter and hip hop media outlets.
• Explains the pattern of annual scandals for the New Rory & Maul show, dubbed the “R&M Q4 holiday collapse.”
• Shares personal context: Julian discovered the scandal on his birthday, witnessing the drama unfold in real-time on Twitter Spaces.

Rory’s Reaction & Failed Apology

• Rory initially claimed the tweets were fake, then that they were jokes, eventually blaming a Black ex-girlfriend for posting them from his account, before briefly setting his account to private.
• Julian skewers the inadequacy and deflective nature of Rory’s responses:

  “Which is insane to scapegoat a black woman. Even in the lie of the tweet itself… An apology about as heartfelt as the send off that they gave me…” (01:40)

Community Reaction & Analysis

• Emotional impact on Black women is foregrounded, including an account of one woman moved to tears in the Spaces discussion.
• Julian’s take on accountability:

  “When people show you who they are, believe them.” (03:06)

• Argues that being in hip hop culture as a white podcaster makes accountability especially crucial, and belittling the backlash or using past norms (“Twitter was different back then”) as an excuse is unacceptable.
• On weaponizing relationships with Black women as a defense:

  “Just because you know some Freddie Gibbs verses doesn’t mean, you know, you get it. You get a pass for everything that you say.” (06:28)

Importance of Hair in the Tweets

• Focuses on repeated attacks on Black women’s hair (“Poetic justice braids”, weave jokes), recognizing the specific sensitivity and pain attached to such topics.

  “There seems to be a concentration on weave and hair in particular in a lot of these tweets, which is obviously something that is extremely sensitive in the black community for men as well, but more in particular for women.” (07:47)

Maul’s Involvement & Behavior

• Maul enters the fray, performing his typical dismissive routine, making light of the controversy rather than taking it seriously:

  “Maul is not the person you want in your corner when it comes to anything that's a sensitive topic because I don't think I've ever seen Maul take anything that seriously.” (09:00)

• Contrasts Rory’s people-pleasing tendencies vs. Maul’s indifference to public perception.

On Patterns & Privilege

• Emphasizes the importance of identifying patterns in Rory’s words and actions—not treating this as an isolated slip.

  “Do not ignore the patterns. A lot of these tweets are saying the same thing, and it's critiquing one thing in particular. Pay attention to that pattern.” (11:53)

• Lays out the dynamic of being a “guest in Black culture,” stressing humility and listening to those affected.
• On Rory’s biggest failure:

  “Where he really failed is... not reestablishing his role in the community and instead tried to make the community feel as if they were wrong.” (13:21)

Comparing to Other Media Personalities

• Distinguishes between Rory (a white guest in Black media) and Andrew Schulz (a white comedian serving a primarily white audience), arguing different standards of accountability apply.

Final Thoughts on the Scandal

• The scandal’s core lesson: validate the feelings of those hurt by your words; sarcasm and scapegoating are inadequate.

2. The Epstein Emails & Trump/Clinton Fallout

(19:56 - 25:47)

Explosive Email Leak

• Shifts to the week’s biggest news: the leak of Epstein-related emails allegedly revealing damning information about Trump and, by wild rumor, a sexual encounter with Bill Clinton.
• Julian recounts the chain of events and references the emails' content:

  “A 2018 email from Mark Epstein, the brother of Jeffrey Epstein, referenced photos of Donald Trump and Bubba... leading to speculation that it was former President Bill Clinton...” (20:11)

Analysis of the Elite’s Behavior

• Discusses the chilling language used in Epstein’s correspondence about trading women “like trading cards,” illustrating the level of dehumanization in their circles.
• On the moral depravity at the heart of the scandal:

  “What we as normal Americans, normal people with a consciousness and a moral compass, can’t even fathom the atrocities that were done to the victims of this scandal.” (21:29)

• Comments on how fear over the email leaks may have driven political gridlock, including a government shutdown.

Broader Takeaways

• Examines the transactional nature of Trump’s politics, his willingness to “sell off” parts of America.
• Adds a snippet on Trump’s stance on Chinese students in American universities, using a recent Laura Ingraham interview as an example of his cold, trade-oriented worldview.

3. Pop Culture, Personal Life & Closing Thoughts

(25:47 - End)

Movie & Sports Sidebar

• Briefly reviews the film “Bugonia,” enjoying some aspects but not blown away compared to “Poor Things.”
• Praises actor Stavros Halkias’s cameo.

Knicks & Weekend Recap

• Celebrates his Knicks and their recent win; laments injuries, including O.G. Anunoby.
• Shares a detailed, feel-good birthday and self-care tale (28:45), including a Chinatown massage described as “one of the best resets I've needed in a long time.”

Reflections & Sign Off

• On the importance of unplugging and self-prioritization:

  “I'm learning more to take the time to really, like, unplug and prioritize myself.” (31:16)

• Expresses gratitude for birthday wishes and ends with anticipation for coming episodes and more “holiday season” stories.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On scapegoating and apologies:
  “Which is insane to scapegoat a black woman. Even in the lie of the tweet itself… An apology about as heartfelt as the send off that they gave me…” (01:40)

• On Twitter culture and jokes as defense:
  “Twitter was different back then. You could get away with a lot of things. You could say outlandish… But in the context of 2025, when people bring up these tweets and they feel a way emotionally…” (03:36)

• On being a guest in hip hop:
  “When you are a guest in black culture, and specifically the hip hop [space]… at the end of the day, you are the other in the room.” (11:53)

• On abusive language in the Epstein emails:
  “What we as normal Americans, normal people with a consciousness and a moral compass, can’t even fathom the atrocities that were done to the victims of this scandal.” (21:29)

• On self-reflection and learning:
  “I'm learning more to take the time to really, like, unplug and prioritize myself.” (31:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Rory’s Scandal Timeline & Reaction: 00:21 - 07:12
• Discussion of Black Women’s Experience & Hair: 07:42 - 11:53
• Pattern Recognition & White Privilege in Hip Hop: 11:53 - 19:26
• Epstein Emails, Trump & Clinton Conspiracies: 19:56 - 25:47
• Pop Culture, Knicks, & Personal Birthday Reflections: 25:47 - End

Tone and Language

The episode is marked by Julian’s signature mix of biting sarcasm, cultural insight, and sincerity. He balances humor and gravity, particularly in addressing personal responsibility, race, and the intersection of pop culture and politics.

For Listeners: Core Takeaways

• Julian holds up the mirror to cultural figures dodging real accountability, especially when their platform depends on marginalized communities.
• He urges listeners to recognize patterns of behavior—not just isolated incidents—when evaluating public figures.
• The episode serves as a call for self-reflection, community listening, and humility, whether you’re a podcaster or just someone navigating tense cultural moments.

End of Summary