The Daily Beast Podcast

Episode: I’ve Seen Trump Up Close. Why I Know He’s Failing
Host: Joanna Coles
Guest: Katie Tur
Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this incisive and wide-ranging episode, Joanna Coles welcomes veteran Trump reporter Katie Tur for a candid, comprehensive discussion on Donald Trump’s second term as President. Drawing on years of personal reporting experience and recent coverage, Tur offers a first-hand analysis of Trump’s declining vitality, the atmosphere in his administration, pivotal political battles, and the deepening questions around governance, grift, and public perception. The conversation covers key topics including Trump's health, his management style, media dynamics, policy fallout (notably on healthcare), and the shadow of the Epstein files—providing an unvarnished look at the state of U.S. politics in 2025.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Declining Energy and Change in Demeanor

• Physical and Cognitive Decline

  • Both Tur and Coles reflect on the New York Times’ report about Trump’s slowed physical and cognitive pace, a topic previously controversial when discussed in relation to Joe Biden.
  • Tur notes visible changes: "He's not as coherent as he used to be...but it's different now. He's slower, his speech is slower. You can see him falling asleep sometimes or appearing to fall asleep in the Oval Office or at...events." (Katie Tur, 05:19)
  • Physical signs—slurred words, dragging a leg, swelling ankles, and a bruised hand—are increasingly apparent.

• Comparison With Past Presidency

  • Trump has doubled down on being "himself"—less filtered, utterly enabled by loyalists: "He has surrounded himself now with people who say yes to everything he wants to do...He is brilliant. He's like AI chatbot." (Katie Tur, 03:21)
  • Days now reportedly start at midday, with less direct engagement than the first term.

Notable Quote

"He used to pick on you and call you little Katie. Today he’s picked on a different Katie... Who’s written...about his flagging energy."
(Joanna Coles, 04:58)

Timestamps

• On visible decline: [05:17–08:47]
• On White House routine and ‘executive time’: [06:47–07:53]

2. Media and Journalistic Responsibility

• The challenge for media covering Trump’s health and behavior without overstepping (since reporters aren’t doctors).
• Normalization of Abuse Toward Press
  • Personal experience: Tur had to be escorted by Secret Service after being singled out by Trump.
  • Increasing verbal attacks—reporters called "ugly" or even "Piggy", targeted especially women: "It feels like a wave is crashing on you... If you show any weakness...it's so much worse." (Katie Tur, 13:07)

Notable Quote

"This isn't Russia. This isn't some third world country. This is the United States of America. And...Donald Trump ushered that new era in, and it was scary."
(Katie Tur, 13:34)

Timestamps

• On attacks and press security: [13:07–14:49]
• On gendered nature of insults: [14:33–15:12]

3. Trump’s Health Beliefs and Aversion to Exercise

• Trump’s theory: humans are like batteries with finite energy—exercise depletes it.
• Tur provides context on Trump's long-held aversion: “I don't need to exercise because exercise is actually bad for you because your body is like a battery...and when that energy runs out, you're dead.” (Katie Tur, 17:36)

Timestamps

• On "battery" theory and lifestyle: [16:20–18:22]

4. Political Fallout: Healthcare Premiums and GOP Turmoil

• Trump’s economic woes: failing polls, Marjorie Taylor Greene defecting, and the seismic shock of skyrocketing health care premiums.
• Policy Impact
  • Real world example: retirees in Oregon face health care premiums jumping from $400 to $2,400 per month (Katie Tur, 19:01)
  • The irony that red states use more Obamacare subsidies, yet GOP politicians reject expansion.

Notable Quote

“It is so confusing to me. I do not understand the basis by which Republicans do not want to give Americans health care...the people who use the Obamacare subsidies most are in deep red states.”
(Katie Tur, 19:28)

• Discharge Petitions & Legislative Tactics
  • Democrats (and some Republicans) planning use of discharge petitions to bypass leadership and force healthcare votes.

Timestamps

• On healthcare politics: [18:22–21:15]
• On legislative maneuvering: [22:03–22:25]

5. Trump’s Information Bubble and Management by Flattery

• Trump’s inner circle manages his mood with relentless flattery, only feeding him selective, often favorable, polls and news.
• "He's always been shown selective polls...he's shown different information. He sees what we're reporting on television. That's why he calls us fake news." (Katie Tur, 24:39 & 25:02)

Timestamps

• On reality distortion and information management: [24:11–25:30]

6. The Epstein Files: Political Dynamite

• What Are the Epstein Files?

  • All DOJ/FBI materials on Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes; long shrouded in conspiracy and mystery.
  • Trump’s long personal association with Epstein, including their abrupt falling out.
  • Pressure to release files becomes a political mob; Trump only gets ahead after seeing inevitable Congressional action.
  • “He saw the parade. He saw a mob coming after him...and instead of allowing the mob to overtake him, he turned around and led the mob out like he was leading the parade.” (Katie Tur, 37:06)

• Congressional Drama

  • Trump and his team tried to pressure House members to withdraw support for releasing files; ultimately fails as Republicans flood to the measure.

Timestamps

• Epstein explanation and political fallout: [28:30–34:46]; [36:55–40:12]

Notable Quotes

"There's all these images of Epstein and Donald Trump together, and he has the power, the unilateral Power...yet he's not going to do it."
(Katie Tur, 29:27)

"A jailbreak of Republicans coming out and voting yes because...they don't want to be the ones saying no to releasing files about a pedophile."
(Katie Tur, 39:27)

7. Tales of Grift and Self-Enrichment

• Massive Personal Enrichment
  • Trump family has made $800 million from crypto in 2025 alone. (Katie Tur, 50:07)
  • "Pay to play" White House renovations—$300 million for a gold and marble ballroom funded by private donors with business before the government.
  • Questionable auctions for access, echoing Trump University tactics.
  • Foreign gifts, including a Qatari plane ($400 million) and a gold crown from South Korea.
  • Efforts to sue DOJ for compensation—potentially $230 million—using taxpayer funds.

Timestamps

• On grift and enrichment: [50:00–54:44]

Notable Quotes

"Donald Trump has crypto behind him right now. The family has made $800 million from crypto sales in the first half of this year. Wow."
(Katie Tur and Joanna Coles, 50:05)

"You can't have health care, but they can have hundreds of millions of dollars."
(Katie Tur, 55:04)

8. Democrats’ Strategy and Media Manipulation

• Democrats are getting better at focusing on core economic issues (“affordability”), but are still challenged to stay on message amid Trump’s media chaos.
• Coles and Tur agree that with premiums rising and real pain spreading, Democrats should have a clear winning issue if they keep focused.

Timestamps

• On Democratic messaging: [57:13–60:19]

9. Foreign Influence & Social Media Distortion

• A significant proportion of partisan social media commentary is now being driven by foreign actors.
• Discussion over whether social media really reflects broad American opinion, and how amplifying small controversies distorts perceptions.

Timestamps

• On social media and foreign actors: [60:20–61:59]

Memorable Moments & Lighter Touches

• Tur on coping with Trump’s attacks: “Because I think if you show any weakness or you show you’re offended, it’s so much worse.” (13:07)
• On Trump's battery theory: “He also puts leeches on his body at night...No, he doesn't. I'm joking.” (16:52)
• Thanksgiving plans: Tur jokes about making spanakopita for 23 guests, relishing rare time off. (62:39–64:13)
• Tur’s candid assessment: “I don't know if Donald Trump understands what crypto is either, but he understands it enough to make a hundred billion.” (50:24)
• Coles on Trump’s braggadocio: “The words you never want to hear about yourself. Someone saying, oh, I have full confidence in them. Because you're like, ugh, the end is near.” (44:02)

Final Takeaways

• Under the surface of headlines, Trump's presidency is showing severe signs of personal decline, institutional chaos, and unchecked self-dealing—yet maintains a compelling hold over GOP leadership and much of the electorate.
• Healthcare, affordability, and corruption are ripe issues for the opposition, but only if they maintain focus amid the swirl of Trump-driven spectacle and distraction.
• Journalism and political norms continue to be tested—and sometimes upended—by Trump's unique brand of politics.

Useful Timestamps

• [03:21] – Trump has "become more himself", surrounded by loyal enablers.
• [05:19] – Detailed discussion of Trump’s visible decline.
• [13:07] – Tur on being targeted by Trump; normalization of danger for journalists.
• [17:36] – Trump's pseudoscientific health beliefs (“battery” theory).
• [19:01] – Real-life impact of health insurance premium spikes.
• [24:39] – Trump’s information bubble and “selective polls”.
• [28:30–34:46] – Epstein files, Trump’s relationship, and Congressional drama.
• [39:27] – “Jailbreak” of Republicans on Epstein file vote.
• [50:07] – Alleged grift and crypto windfall.
• [57:13] – Democrats’ attempts to recalibrate post-shutdown.
• [60:20] – On social media manipulation by foreign actors.
• [62:39–64:13] – Personal closing with Thanksgiving plans.

Summary prepared for listeners and readers seeking an in-depth recap of the episode.