The David Pakman Show – November 17, 2025

Episode: “Epstein files go nuclear as autopen scandal hits Trump”

Host: David Pakman
Guest: Former Vice President Kamala Harris (interview)
Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

This episode of The David Pakman Show dives into an explosive week of scandals and shifting political ground in the Trump White House. David covers the fallout from a new “nuclear” tranche of Epstein emails implicating Trump and documents the White House’s panicked response. The show also investigates the hypocrisy behind the “autopen” scandal, where Trump’s administration is caught red-handed after years of criticizing Biden. David breaks down the growing civil war within MAGA, with Trump turning on Marjorie Taylor Greene and other allies; raises questions about Trump’s health; and presses Trump’s economic spin with a reality check. The episode closes with an exclusive, rapid-fire interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris regarding the 2024 campaign.

Key Segments & Highlights

The Epstein Files Rock the White House

(00:00–17:00)

• Scandal Unleashed:
  New batches of Epstein emails implicate Donald Trump, revealing statements from Epstein that he could “take down Trump,” that he provided an ex-girlfriend to Trump, and that Trump spent extensive time with victims at Epstein’s residence.

  • “This is one of the few times you can actually see Trump panic in real time and change what he’s saying.” – David Pakman [01:38]

• White House in Meltdown:
  Staffers reportedly refuse to read the emails, fearing they’ll be implicated. Trump’s biographer, Michael Wolf, describes Trump as “in a complete and total panic and lost.”

  • “The playbook here is being written in real time.” – David Pakman [03:54]

• Trump’s Evolving Reaction:
  Trump first goes silent, then lashes out at reporters as the story breaks, and suddenly pivots to claim he wants the emails released—a 180 after years of suppression.

  • “Trump’s silence, rage and then saying, of course, release the files. I think it says a lot more than any proactive speech Trump could ever give.” – David Pakman [06:48]

• PR Strategy Exposed:
  David details how Trump’s reversal is a PR calculation—he has lost control and wants to appear transparent, banking on his base dismissing the contents as “fake” or “doctored.”

  • “Why not at least appear to be on the side of transparency?” – David Pakman [20:29]

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump (press conference): “I don’t want to talk about it because fake news like you… they just keep bringing that up to deflect from the tremendous success of the Trump administration.” [08:24]

• David Pakman: “Are you saying the Epstein emails are fabricated? Or doctored? What exactly is the argument?” [08:56]

The Autopen Scandal & Hypocrisy

(22:00–28:30)

• Trump’s Own Autopen Problem:
  After years claiming Biden’s autopen use invalidated his presidency/pardons, it’s revealed Trump’s administration used the autopen for at least seven pardons—identical signatures scrutinized by handwriting experts.

  • “Now we have the Trump White House rushing and panicking to explain why seven different pardons… all had identical signatures. As in copy paste identical. As in autopen identical.” – David Pakman [23:16]
  • DOJ hurriedly replaces the digital files with varied signatures, blaming a “technical error.”
  • David points out the inherent hypocrisy and “self-own,” since using the autopen is legal but the right’s narrative was that it was a scandal for Biden.

• Health & Incompetence Angle:
  David suggests the autopen story may be linked to Trump’s physical decline.

  • “If Trump were fine and sharp and healthy, why couldn’t he sign just seven pardons himself?” [27:44]

MAGA Infighting: Trump vs. Marjorie Taylor Greene & Others

(28:30–36:25)

• Trump’s Fallout With Allies:
  Trump launches into a public feud with Marjorie Taylor Greene, withdrawing his endorsement and branding her as “wacky Marjorie”—claims she’s gone “far left” and even mocks her media appearances.

  • “I can’t take a ranting lunatic’s call every day.” – Donald Trump (from a Truth Social post) [29:30]
  • Greene issues a public quasi-apology for "toxic politics" but David remains skeptical of her sincerity or any leftward shift.

• Trump’s Influence Tested:
  If Greene can survive a primary without Trump’s endorsement, David argues it signals MAGA’s waning influence, referencing parallels to Liz Cheney’s downfall post-Trump denouncement.

  • Reporter: “She says Marjorie Taylor Greene. I don’t think her life is in danger. I don’t think, frankly, anybody cares about her.” – Donald Trump [34:38]

Trump’s Authoritarian Blueprint for Elections

(36:25–41:30)

• Shredding Democracy Out Loud:
  Trump directly calls for ending the Senate filibuster to force changes to election laws—one-day voting, bans on mail-in/early voting (except military), federal override of state rules.

  • “Let’s end the filibuster so I can rewrite election laws and do whatever the hell I want. This is the blueprint. Trump lays it out.” – David Pakman [36:45]
  • Trump: “If we do what I’m saying, Democrats will most likely never obtain power.” [paraphrased at 37:29]

• David’s Analysis:
  Cites Trump’s fear of 2026 midterms, projecting attempts to structurally rig elections rather than appeal with policy.

Kamala Harris Interview: Lessons from 2024

(44:51–49:55)

• Behind the Scenes:
  The episode features a rare in-person five-minute interview with Kamala Harris amid her book tour.

• Reflections on the 2024 Race:
  Harris discusses campaign strategy, the lack of time (“107 days was not enough time”), and challenges connecting on immigration, crime, and affordability.

  • “When we fight, we win.” – Kamala Harris [46:17]
  • “Had I to do it over, I think we should have really thought about first doing the family care piece…” [48:26]
  • “I can’t predict that the outcome would have been different, but I know 107 days was not enough time.” – Kamala Harris [49:44]

Trump’s Health Mystery & Neurological Concerns

(53:00–57:50)

• MRI Confusion:
  Trump evades questions on what body part received an MRI, repeatedly claims ignorance, and boasts that “the doctor said it was the best result he has ever seen.”

  • David Pakman: “He doesn’t know why he got it or what body part it was.”

• Visible Symptoms:
  David catalogs Trump’s public oddities: asymmetric clapping, foot dragging, slurred speech, bruised hands—suggests concerning but unspecific neurological issues.

  • “A healthy adult doesn’t suddenly start clapping like their body forgot the process or the instructions for clapping.” – David Pakman [55:53]

Thanksgiving Prices & Economic Spin – Grocery Price Reality Check

(62:24–68:23)

• Trump Admin's Economic Spin:
  Jonathan Karl corners Trump economic advisor Kevin Hassett on live TV regarding false claims about grocery prices and tariffs, exposing their misleading statistics.

  • Jonathan Karl: “This year (Walmart Thanksgiving meal) contains much less than what last year took. So that's why the price is less. If you're going to the store to buy groceries for Thanksgiving, it's going to be more expensive.” [62:35]

  • David Pakman: “Of course it’s cheaper. Trump, by the way, tried the same thing last night.” [65:24]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• David Pakman: “This is one of the few times you can actually see Trump panic in real time and change what he’s saying.” — [01:38]
• Donald Trump: “I don’t want to talk about it because fake news like you... they just keep bringing that up to deflect from the tremendous success of the Trump administration.” — [08:24]
• Kamala Harris: “I can’t predict that the outcome would have been different, but I know 107 days was not enough time.” — [49:44]
• Jonathan Karl: “If you’re going to the store to buy groceries for Thanksgiving, it’s going to be more expensive.” — [62:35]

Segment Timeline (Timestamps)

• Epstein Files & White House Panic — 00:00–17:00
• Trump Press Conference & Twitter Storm — 08:13–11:46
• Hypocrisy: Trump’s Autopen Scandal — 22:00–28:30
• MAGA Civil War: Marjorie Taylor Greene & Thomas Massie — 28:30–36:25
• Trump Calls for Authoritarian Election Rules — 36:44–41:30
• Kamala Harris Interview — 44:51–49:55
• Trump’s MRI & Health Concerns — 53:19–57:50
• Thanksgiving Price Spin vs. Reality — 62:24–68:23

Tone and Style

Pakman’s tone is urgent, irreverent, and pointed, skillfully alternating between analytical breakdowns and biting satire. He doesn’t shy away from mockery, especially regarding transparent hypocrisy and political gaslighting. His rapid-fire delivery matches the volatile content of the week.

Takeaways

• The Epstein email revelations mark a “nuclear” moment for the Trump White House, with real panic, shifting narratives, and a sense of no clear escape.
• Trump’s reversal on the email release is a PR maneuver rooted in inevitability, not transparency.
• The autopen scandal lays bare the casual hypocrisy at the center of right-wing outrage politics.
• The MAGA coalition is visibly fracturing, as Trump turns on once-loyal allies.
• Trump’s open plotting to manipulate election law signals a continued authoritarian tone.
• Trump’s evasions about his health and mounting visible symptoms fuel new questions about transparency and capacity.
• Economic “wins” and messaging from the White House crumble under basic scrutiny and hard numbers.

Suggested Listening

For listeners, this is a can’t-miss week—a distillation of political crisis, institutional panic, intra-party fractures, and the performative nature of modern media scandals.
The Kamala Harris interview offers a rare, direct reflection from a former vice president on a failed campaign and the future of progressive messaging.

Note:
Ads, show promos, and non-content were omitted to focus on core analysis and reporting.