The Daily Beast Podcast

"I Know Why Spineless MAGA Bow to Trump"

Host: Joanna Coles
Guest: Congressman Maxwell Frost
Date: February 10, 2026

Overview

This episode features Rep. Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress, in an unflinching conversation with Joanna Coles about the state of American democracy under President Donald Trump. Frost reflects on the rise of political violence, emboldened bigotry, the hollowing-out of Congressional power, and the complicity—out of fear or greed—within the Republican ranks. The discussion is both deeply personal and sharply political, touching on assaults against elected officials, the slow unraveling of the Epstein files, and what meaningful oversight could look like if Democrats retake the House. Frost also addresses calls for accountability, including impeachment targets in government, and his vision for a new generation of leadership.

Key Discussion Points

1. Political Violence and Personal Experience

[03:42] Frost recounts a recent hate crime he endured at Sundance and the broader rise in political violence:

• Frost was attacked at a private event, targeted for his race and position (“He started saying racist things to my friend and I…punched me in the face…was quickly arrested.” – [03:42])
• The violence was clearly racially and politically motivated, and Frost notes:

  "It was a very scary thing. And the bigots are emboldened right now across the entire nation." – Rep. Frost [05:04]

• Erosion of safety even for elected officials, referencing attacks on Jasmine Crockett, Melissa Hortman, Ilhan Omar, Charlie Kirk.

2. The Trump Effect & Culture of Fear

[09:01] Frost directly attributes the escalation in violence to Trump’s rhetoric and MAGA politics:

• “I really think the ramp up of political violence…is a direct result of Trump. I think Donald Trump has brought the worst out of everybody in this nation.” – [09:01]
• Frost argues that toning down criticism isn’t the answer; authentic speech and naming abuses is key to resisting authoritarianism.

3. Congressional Powerlessness

[12:18] Coles and Frost examine Congress's eroded authority under “a government of one”:

• Frost: “He’s acting like a dictator. This is a regime that has been put into place and all…the checks and balances are moot right now...”
• While executive overreach is significant, Frost notes:

  “45% of all the executive orders Donald Trump has done have either been reversed, paused or stopped due to court orders or congressional appropriation...” – [12:50]

• Authoritarian leaders rely on rhetoric and psychological surrender, not just legislative change.

4. Republican Complicity & Lack of Courage

[16:05] Frost describes Republicans as spineless, citing cowardice and profiteering:

• “They just have no courage. They have no backbone to stand up to this president. And that’s why they haven’t in the last year." – [16:05]
• Any opposition is the exception, not the rule; those who “step up” still only do so “little by little.”
• The system revolves around greed: “It’s all connected to the money and ... insane greed...” – [16:47]

5. Epstein Files & Congressional Investigations

[17:55] In-depth discussion about the massive trove of Epstein files and ongoing oversight challenges:

• The Oversight Committee is crippled by minority status; Frost insists procedures must be robust if Democrats win House.
• Most incriminating evidence “didn’t come from the Epstein files,” but independent subpoenas (banks, estate).

  “It’ll be more like Watergate…a drip, drip, drip of information for a while.” – [19:30]

• James Comer set a precedent subpoenaing ex-presidents—Frost dubs it "the Comer Rule."

6. Subpoenas and Accountability

[20:51]

• Frost vows to subpoena Trump about Epstein if Democrats win the House:

  “I can’t see how we wouldn’t subpoena him to speak about this.” [20:51]

• They will use the same standards applied to Democrats:

  “I believe that if Congress wants to hear from you, you need to come and speak to us, no matter who you are.” [21:01]

• “If Democrats win the House in the midterms, is your goal to impeach the President?” – Coles [22:11]

  Frost: “Our goal is to follow the law and…follow investigations where it leads us.” [22:25]

7. Targets for Impeachment

[22:39] Frost lists those he regards as priorities:

• Kristi Noem: “Needs to be impeached…people have to know impeachment isn’t a thing that happens, it’s a process.” – [22:39]
• Pam Bondi: Withholding Epstein files, breaking federal law.
• RFK Jr.: Suspicions of corruption related to shifting policy stances and possible financial ties.
• Pete Hegseth: “Gross violations of OPSEC and national security,” specifically regarding a Signal chat incident. ([25:09])

8. Future Democratic Leadership & Criteria

[37:18] When pressed on who should lead the Democrats next:

• Frost won’t name names, but insists next president must be unafraid to seek accountability, address inequality, and push big, sweeping reforms—particularly single-payer healthcare.

  “We can't have someone who's going to say we're not going to seek accountability because we need to move on as a nation.” [37:25]

• He insists policy matters, despite ‘personality-driven’ politics.

9. Term Limits and Congressional Reform

[44:51]

• Advocates for term limits but not strict age caps:

  “People get to a certain place in their life…where it makes sense to pass the baton. I don’t believe in setting an age limit…” [44:51]

• Proposes four-year House terms, staggered elections, and larger House membership to address systemic flaws and reduce campaign/legislative distraction.

10. Personal Life, Self-Care, and Balance

[50:15]

• Frost on the sacrifices of public service:

  “You don't get to have as much of a private life … I really burnt myself out because I felt like coming in as the youngest member of Congress, I needed to defy the expectations.” [50:44]

• He maintains survival and mental health through music and accessible pleasures, integrating his passions with public service.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Republican backbone:

  “They just have no courage. They have no backbone to stand up to this president...” – Rep. Maxwell Frost [16:05]

• On the nature of Trump as a leader:

  "He’s acting like a dictator. This is a regime that has been put into place and all…the checks and balances are moot right now..." – [12:50]

• On subpoenas and “the Comer Rule”:

  “James Comer has now set this rule that we can subpoena former presidents ... if Congress wants to hear from you, you need to come and speak to us, no matter who you are.” – [21:01]

• On accountability:

  “There has to be accountability this time. We’re not just going to let all of this illegal stuff fly because we want to move on with the country.” [21:44]

• On burnout and self-care:

  “If you don’t [preserve yourself], you will burn out and you won’t be able to help anybody.” – [50:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Assault & Political Violence: [03:42 - 07:30]
• Trump's Rhetoric & Its Impact: [09:01 - 12:18]
• Congressional Powerlessness Under Trump: [12:18 - 15:39]
• Republican Complicity: [16:05 - 17:09]
• Epstein Files & Oversight Strategy: [17:55 - 21:19]
• Targets for Impeachment: [22:25 - 26:35]
• On Future Democratic Leadership: [37:18 - 40:37]
• Term Limits & Congressional Reform: [44:51 - 49:40]
• Personal Life/Balance: [50:15 - 53:03]

Tone and Style

Throughout, Frost is candid and sometimes blunt—directly calling out cowardice, corruption, and systemic failures. Joanna Coles matches his seriousness with incisive, challenging questions but also injects moments of wry humor and empathetic encouragement. The overall tone is urgent but not despairing, with a strong undercurrent of advocacy, reform-mindedness, and hope for new Democratic leadership.