The David Pakman Show

Episode: Epstein Files Panic as Trump's Worst Fear Hits

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: David Pakman
Description: David Pakman dissects the explosive developments surrounding the Epstein Files, bipartisan political turmoil, Trump's personal and political meltdown, and the unraveling of loyalty within MAGA ranks. The show features commentary, analysis, survivor statements, and an in-depth interview on the evolving nature of the political right.

Episode Overview

David Pakman opens with the assertion that the day’s events are “unbelievable,” encapsulating a moment of crisis in U.S. politics. The episode covers:

• An extraordinary bipartisan press conference with Epstein survivors and traditionally opposed politicians.
• Accusations that the FBI is shielding Trump by redacting his name from the Epstein files.
• Trump’s increasingly erratic behavior—both online and in public appearances.
• MAGA infighting, including violent threats against Marjorie Taylor Greene.
• The sexism and authoritarian tendencies displayed by Trump, culminating with his “quiet, Piggy” insult toward a female reporter.
• An insightful interview with political theorist Laura Field about the evolution and fracture of the American right.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Push

[00:00–06:00]

• For the first time, Marjorie Taylor Greene (estranged from Trump), Thomas Massie, and Ro Khanna hold a joint press conference with Epstein survivors—an event snubbed by Fox News.

• The House’s “Epstein Files Transparency Act” would force release of files with minimal redactions, prioritizing victim advocacy over political interests.

• Marjorie Taylor Greene proclaims, “Hell has froze over,” highlighting the surreal political alliance.

  • Quote: “It's so cold, I thought hell froze over.” — Marjorie Taylor Greene ([03:19])
  • Greene makes clear her break with Trump is personal, not ideological: “I was called a traitor by a man that I fought for…six years for. …He called me a traitor for standing with these women.” ([03:58])

• Ro Khanna frames the day as a beginning of justice for overlooked victims.

  • Quote: “Today is the first day, real reckoning for the Epstein class. We're here to stand with forgotten and abandoned Americans…” — Ro Khanna ([05:06])

2. Epstein Survivors Speak Out, Rebuke Trump

[06:03–09:56]

• Epstein survivors deliver emotional statements demanding transparency and denouncing Trump’s politicization of their suffering.
  • Quote: “I voted for you. But your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment.” — Epstein Survivor, addressing Trump ([07:01])
  • Another survivor directly addresses Trump’s shifting stance and skepticism about real accountability:
    • Quote: “I am traumatized. I am not stupid… You have put us through so much stress…” ([08:27])
• Pakman underscores that the victims’ voices have been missing and are now central, highlighting their call for nonpartisan justice.

3. Trump, the FBI, and Epstein Files Redaction Allegations

[09:56–13:59]

• New reporting suggests the FBI is redacting Trump’s name from Epstein-related files, with justification that he was a "private citizen" in 2006.
  • Pakman notes the illogical extension of privacy exemptions to Trump and hints at a “pattern” of government interference when evidence implicates Trump.
• Hidden camera video (from a dubious source, James O’Keefe) appears to support claims that high-profile Republicans are protected in file redactions, but now Bloomberg corroborates core details.
  • Quote: “They'll redact every Republican or conservative person in those files, leave all the liberal Democratic people…” — Joseph Schmidt, DOJ Deputy Chief, undercover video ([13:49])

4. Trump’s Erratic Public Appearances and “Meltdown”

[19:51–29:59]

• Trump’s voice is “a mess” at public events—he claims it’s from yelling at people about trade.
  • Quote: “I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade… I blew my stack at these people.” — Donald Trump ([20:35])
• He displays physical signs of potential weakness (covering a bruised hand), ignores serious reporter questions, and indulges in odd ramblings during speeches.
• Escalates authoritarian rhetoric, threatening to move global events (e.g., FIFA World Cup) from “liberal/communist” cities and refusing to rule out military action in Venezuela.
  • Quote: “If we think there's a problem in Seattle … we will move the event to someplace where it's going to be appreciated and safe.” — Donald Trump ([21:31])
  • Quote: “I don't rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela.” ([23:26])
• Trump’s speech degenerates into incoherence, with stories about “skedaddle,” bombs, unlimited dishwasher water, and the size of his own hands.
• Pakman suggests Trump appears distracted, perhaps fearing what the Epstein files might reveal.

5. MAGA Civil War: Marjorie Taylor Greene Targeted by Her Own Base

[31:25–39:30]

• Greene receives death threats after Trump labels her a “traitor” online for supporting Epstein file transparency.
  • Quote from Trump’s post: “Lightweight congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Brown. Green grass turns brown when it begins to rot. Betrayed the entire Republican Party…” ([32:00])
• Pakman contextualizes: MAGA swiftly turns on its own when loyalty wavers. Greene, once a key MAGA agitator, now faces the climate she helped foster; Pakman denounces violence against anyone, including Greene.

6. Long-form Interview: The Evolution of MAGA and the New Right

[40:18–56:18]
With Laura Field, author of "Furious Minds: The Making of the New MAGA Right"

• Breakdown of the “fusionist” GOP coalition of the past (business conservatives, religious right, libertarians) and how Trumpism has disrupted traditional alignments.
• The New Right combines economic nationalism and social conservatism, with a shift in influence toward more extreme elements and intellectual movements (Claremont Institute, National Conservatives, post-liberal Catholics).
  • Quote: “The Gipper’s stool with Reagan … has really just been completely, well, not completely, but mostly transformed.” — Laura Field ([41:13])
  • Quote: “Now there are people saying 30 to 40% of… Capitol Hill staffers are groipers, the very far right.” — Laura Field ([46:30])
• Discussion of divides within the right (e.g., on immigration, influenced by figures like Elon Musk), the movement's skillful manipulation of culture-war anxieties, and the loyalty-first logic driving internal fractures.
  • Field assesses JD Vance’s potential as Trump’s successor, predicting he would pivot to a Thiel-style technocratic agenda but remain enmeshed in the New Right’s radical project, including elements of Catholic social order.
  • Quote: “They are quite explicit that they would like to use the state to reorder American society towards the common good and the highest good, which is Catholic salvation in their view.” — Laura Field ([55:14])

7. Further Trump Misogyny: ‘Quiet Piggy’ on Air Force One

[56:21–60:19]

• Trump calls a female Bloomberg reporter “Quiet, Piggy” when challenged about Epstein file transparency.
  • Pakman analyzes this as part of Trump’s longstanding misogynistic playbook; plays archival footage of Alicia Machado attesting to similar past behavior.
  • Quote: “Quiet Piggy.” — Donald Trump ([59:17])
  • Quote: “[He called me] Miss Piggy, Miss Housekeeping, Miss Eating Machine... All to your face. Yes, all the time. That was really normal for him.” — Alicia Machado on Trump ([59:53])
• Pakman: Trump’s supporters are largely unbothered, reinforcing that “Trump has broken the machinery of shame,” eroding accountability for public misconduct.

8. Tariff and Economic Spin

[64:03–68:08]

• Debate on tariffs: Pakman notes Trump reverses some tariffs but his administration denies they were ever a problem—an example of “Schrodinger’s tariffs.”
  • Kevin Hassett, Trump advisor, engages in “verbal jujitsu,” rebranding negative statistics as positives (e.g., calling likely labor market weakness “a quiet time”).
  • Quote: “Purchasing power has gone up by about twelve hundred dollars this year.” — Kevin Hassett ([67:55])
• Pakman repeatedly exposes these rhetorical tricks for what they are.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Bipartisan Surreality:
  “It's so cold, I thought hell froze over.” — Marjorie Taylor Greene ([03:19])
• Epstein Survivor to Trump:
  “It is not about you, President Trump. …I voted for you. But your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment.” ([07:01])
• Pakman on Loyalty and MAGA Violence:
  “This is what happens inside of authoritarian movements. You run on loyalty and not on ideology. And the moment you stop serving the dear leader’s needs, the mob will turn on you.” ([32:40])
• Laura Field on the New Right:
  “There are these people saying 30 to 40% of the people in Washington are groypers, the very far right… You can see this sort of massive cultural transformation in the GOP.” ([46:30])
• Pakman on Trump and Accountability:
  “Trump has broken the machinery of shame, rendering traditional norms and consequences obsolete.” ([60:15])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] Opening & Episode Theme
• [03:19] Marjorie Taylor Greene: “Hell has froze over”
• [07:01] Epstein Survivor’s Address to Trump
• [09:56] FBI accused of redacting Trump’s name; hidden camera video
• [19:51] Trump’s frail voice, “blew his stack” moment
• [21:31] Threats to move FIFA due to “communist” mayors
• [23:26] Trump refuses to rule out troops in Venezuela
• [29:10] Trump on unlimited dishwasher water; hand size
• [31:25] Death threats against Marjorie Taylor Greene
• [40:18] Laura Field interview: MAGA New Right deep dive
• [56:21] Trump calls reporter “Quiet, Piggy”
• [64:03] Tariff spin: Schrodinger’s tariffs
• [67:55] “Purchasing power” narrative shift

Summary Conclusion

This episode vividly captures the unraveling of Trump-era politics, with the Epstein files at the center of a political, moral, and cultural ordeal threatening the reputations—and possibly the safety—of America’s highest office holders. Pakman traces the bipartisan desperation for transparency, the trickle-down effects of Trump’s authoritarian and misogynistic tactics, and the New Right’s radical intellectual underpinnings. As Pakman quips, it’s a “snapshot of a presidency in freefall, cracking from the inside, lashing out on the outside.” The episode is a must-listen for those seeking insight into MAGA’s civil war, the legacy of Trumpism, and the real stakes behind the headlines in 2025.