The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode Title: Dems Exploited Epstein & Victims for Political Gain against Trump
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson delves into newly released information connecting Democratic politicians to Jeffrey Epstein during the Michael Cohen hearings, arguing that Democrats and the media have weaponized the Epstein case for political gain against President Trump. Ferguson discusses real-time texts between Epstein and Democratic Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, mainstream media narratives, and bipartisan efforts in Congress related to the Epstein files. He contends that recent Democratic concern for Epstein's victims is insincere and used primarily to undermine the current administration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Media & Democratic Focus on Epstein: Political Motivations

• Ferguson asserts that Democrats and the media have only shown interest in Epstein’s victims now that it serves to "hurt Donald Trump's presidency," likening this to previous "hoaxes" such as the Russia-collusion narrative.

  • "The media and the Democratic Party never gave a damn about the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. ...Now, only now, are they obsessed over it because they think politically, somehow, this issue could hurt Donald Trump's presidency." (03:30)

• He argues this is part of a familiar pattern:

  • "They don't need it to be real. They don't need it to be factual. They just need a good lie that can undermine President Trump by 5 or 10 points in polling and take away his political power." (03:48)

2. Epstein’s Direct Communication with Democrats

• Newly released documents reportedly show Jeffrey Epstein texting with House Democrats—including Stacey Plaskett—during the 2019 Michael Cohen House Oversight hearing, seemingly coaching or influencing their conduct.

  • "...documents released by Congress via the estate of Epstein...confirm that Epstein, while alive, was literally text messaging Democratic member of Congress during the hearing." (04:37)
  • Example discussed: Epstein messages Plaskett in real time to influence questioning strategy. (04:52)

• Plaskett's office confirmed receiving messages, including from Epstein, during the hearing but sought to downplay their significance. (05:30)

3. Trump & DOJ Respond to the Narrative

• Ferguson notes Trump has ordered the DOJ to investigate Epstein’s ties to powerful political figures, especially Democrats such as Bill Clinton, rejecting the framing of the scandal as a Democratic smear.

  • "We now know that he has ordered the Department of Justice, at the request of the President, to investigate Epstein's ties to political foes...including former President Bill Clinton." (09:00)

• The White House argues that the document releases are selective leaks meant to "stain" the President for the media's benefit. (09:33)

  • "Trump himself has labeled the Epstein file focus. A hoax and nothing but a diversion." (09:38)

4. Lack of Evidence Directly Linking Trump to Epstein’s Crimes

• Ferguson emphasizes that no verified allegations connect Trump to Epstein’s crimes, a fact even acknowledged by CNN.

  • "...there are no verified allegations at all against President Donald Trump with anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein, something the media hopes you will forget." (10:28)

• He contends that the media is attempting to boost Democratic chances by using “diversions” to lower Trump’s polling advantage. (10:50)

5. Congressional Push for Full Release of Epstein Files

• Audio features an interview excerpt with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who partnered with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on a bipartisan bill for the release of Epstein-related documents:

  • Ro Khanna: "There's nothing I have been prouder of or more meaningful than this work. The credit goes to the survivors. They're going to be at the Capitol... Epstein had set up a rape island where rich and powerful men were abusing young girls with impunity. ...This is not partisan. They all need to be held accountable. The Epstein class needs to go." (12:00)

• Khanna expresses hope for strong Republican backing but notes White House opposition as Trump threatens to withdraw support from some GOP lawmakers.

  • Ro Khanna: "...Donald Trump started to tweet out saying that he's going to unendorse people like Marjorie Taylor Greene. So it's basically Massey and me versus the White House." (12:38)
  • "I'm hoping for 40 plus [Republicans to join us]." (13:15)

6. Ferguson’s Rebuttal: Democrats’ Sincerity & Alleged Collaboration

• Ferguson responds critically to Khanna, arguing Democrats are less interested in justice for Epstein's victims and more focused on using the scandal for political leverage.

  • "This is how little they care about the American people. ...They want to undermine Donald Trump and they're willing to use Jeffrey Epstein's victims... to accomplish it." (13:16)

• He alleges Democrats “protected” Epstein when it wasn't politically useful, and now collaborate with him:

  • "...Democrats, we now know, were working with Jeffrey Epstein to try to hurt Donald Trump. ...they were texting messages while conversations were having about Donald Trump in Congress. The Democratic Party was working with Jeffrey Epstein." (14:22)

• Ferguson concludes by restating that Democrats are exploiting Epstein’s victims, not genuinely seeking justice:

  • "They only cared about weaponizing whatever they could to hurt Trump, including working with a pedophile, ...Now they say, oh, we care about the victims. No, they only care about hurting the president." (15:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Political Motivation:

  • Ben Ferguson: "They need another Russia collusion hoax. ...They just need a good lie that can undermine President Trump by 5 or 10 points in polling..." (03:39)

• On Epstein Communicating with Congress:

  • Ben Ferguson: "Jeffrey Epstein was sending text messages to Stacy Plaskett, a Democrat from ...the Virgin Islands in real time..." (04:48)
  • "The messages indicated that he was watching the hearing, pointing out that Cohen had mentioned Ronan Keeper of the Secrets, referring to Trump's former assistant..." (05:00)

• On Framing & Media Corrections:

  • Ben Ferguson: "There are no verified allegations in the public record so far that a Democratic lawmaker was collaborating with Epstein with the express purpose... of targeting Donald Trump, even though the text messages are clear." (10:02)

• On Bipartisan Efforts:

  • Ro Khanna: "Epstein had set up a rape island where rich and powerful men were abusing young girls with impunity. ...They all need to be held accountable. The Epstein class needs to go." (12:08)

• On Alleged Democrat-Epstein Collaboration:

  • Ben Ferguson: "Democrats, we now know, were working with Jeffrey Epstein to try to hurt Donald Trump. ...This is how corrupt and how evil the Democratic Party has become." (14:30)

Important Timestamps

• 03:30 – Ben Ferguson argues Democrats/Media only suddenly care about Epstein due to Trump presidency
• 04:37 – Discussion of Epstein texts with Stacey Plaskett during Cohen hearing
• 05:30 – Plaskett’s office confirms texts but downplays their meaning
• 09:00 – Trump orders DOJ to review Epstein’s connections to political opponents
• 10:28 – Ferguson clarifies: No verified Trump-Epstein allegations
• 11:43–13:15 – Excerpt from Ro Khanna on bipartisan Epstein legislation and political divide
• 13:16–15:20 – Ferguson asserts Democrats weaponize Epstein victims for political gain

Episode Tone & Style

• Direct & Combative: Ferguson adopts a highly critical, adversarial tone towards Democrats and the mainstream media.
• Populist Emphasis: Frequent references to "forgotten Americans," "weaponization," and "elite."
• Unfiltered Commentary: The host uses blunt language and rhetorical questions to press his narrative.

For New Listeners:

This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of the Jeffrey Epstein case and contemporary political strategy, particularly as it affects and is allegedly wielded against President Trump. Expect strong opinions, sharp criticism of Democratic tactics, exclusive legislative news, and perspectives not commonly found in mainstream coverage.