Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: Trump Signs Bill Forcing Release Of Epstein Files
Date: November 21, 2025
Host/Panel: Martha MacCallum, Greg Gutfeld, Charlie Hurt, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Waters
Podcast: FOX News Podcasts — The Five

Main Theme

This episode discusses the political, legal, and media fallout following President Trump's signing of a bill mandating the release of all Jeffrey Epstein-related files within 30 days. The panel examines how these disclosures are impacting both parties, with a particular emphasis on recent Democratic missteps, potential repercussions for political and financial elites, changes in New York City leadership, and continued debates around public safety, criminal justice, and the legacy of leaders like Nancy Pelosi.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Epstein Files Bill and Political Fallout

• Trump's Executive Action: The panel explores President Trump's move to declassify and release all Epstein-related files, predicting significant repercussions for politicians and Wall Street figures, predominantly on the Democratic side.

• Backlash Against Jasmine Crockett:

  • Texas Congresswoman Crockett falsely accused Lee Zeldin (EPA Administrator, former GOP Congressman) of taking campaign donations from Jeffrey Epstein, which was untrue—it was a different Dr. Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Crockett’s clumsy clarification appeared as a non-apology, sparking fierce panel criticism.
  • The hosts argue for political accountability and discuss Congressional decorum and ethics regarding unsubstantiated public accusations (04:13).

  Quote (Greg Gutfeld, 01:05):
  “Yes, Crockett, a physician named Dr. Jeffrey Epstein, who is totally different person than the other Jeffrey Epstein, donated to a prior campaign of mine. No freaking relation, you genius.”
  (referring to Zeldin's public response)

• Wider Political Exposure:

  • Jesse Waters predicts a “scorched earth” effect as flight manifests, FBI/DOJ documents, and financial records become public.
  • Potential implications for both political parties, but especially Democrats due to the timeline (documents from 2008–2019), and the fact that President Trump cut ties with Epstein earlier (07:03–09:48).
  • JP Morgan is named as having filed 5,000 suspicious activity reports regarding Epstein’s finances (09:01).

  Quote (Jesse Waters, 09:01):
  “JP Morgan filed 5,000 suspicious activity reports on Epstein. A billion dollars in suspicious financial wires...He is either at the center of an international sexual blackmail ring or he's a money launderer. And JP Morgan covered it up.”

• Need for Careful Fact-checking:

  • The Crockett debacle highlighted the dangers of hasty accusations without thorough research, reverberating into broader media and political standards (11:01–13:39).

  Quote (Jessica Tarlov, 11:01):
  “She admits that she knew it wasn't by saying ‘A’ and not ‘the’ before Jeffrey Epstein. She went public knowing this accusation would implicate an innocent man... She sacrificed American citizens because she didn't think they mattered.”

• Impact on Elites and Victims:

  • Panelists stress the importance of justice and closure for Epstein’s victims, and public reckoning for public figures involved (06:26 and throughout).

2. New York City Politics: Trump Meets Mamdani

• Zoran Mamdani, NYC's Mayor-elect:

  • The panel previews Trump’s upcoming White House meeting with NYC’s incoming mayor, Zoran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist/communist.
  • Heated back-and-forth soundbites are shared, with Mamdani promising to be Trump's “worst nightmare,” but also softening his tone to collaborate for New Yorkers' benefit (14:55–15:49).

  Quote (Zoran Mamdani, 14:55):
  “My administration would be Donald Trump's worst nightmare.”

• Policy Tensions:

  • The roundtable discusses Mamdani’s promises to leftist supporters on policing and ICE, but notes the practical realities he faces (18:52).
  • Mamdani’s move to retain NYPD Commissioner Jesse Tisch is seen as a pragmatic shift, signaling tension with Democratic Socialists (19:17).

• Predictions for the Trump-Mamdani Meeting:

  • Both sides are advised to be cordial yet cautious, as federal funding, public image, and major city policies are at stake (16:08–17:01).

3. Nancy Pelosi, Gender in Politics, and End of an Era

• Pelosi's Exit and Ongoing Critique of Trump:

  • Pelosi is described as “bitter” over losing the speakership and watching her party drift leftward.
  • Her remarks on Trump (“vile creature”) are discussed, as well as her view that America is slow to elect women to high office (23:25).

  Quote (Nancy Pelosi, 23:25):
  “By the way, I said that [Trump is a vile creature] as a euphemism. I could have done much worse.”

• Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, and 'Ready' for a Woman President:

  • The panel rebuts Michelle Obama’s view that Americans aren't ready for a woman president, suggesting instead that voters simply didn't like Clinton or Harris—regardless of gender (28:50–29:31).

  Quote (Greg Gutfeld, 28:50):
  “If a woman was a nominee and could be politically strong enough to garner votes, I honestly believe this country did not want Hillary Clinton, whether Hillary Clinton was a man or a woman, and did not want Kamala Harris. I just think that this idea that men don't want women to lead them is ridiculous.”

4. Crime, Justice, and Public Safety

• Chicago Train Attack:

  • The panel covers a violent crime in Chicago involving a repeat offender who set a woman on fire.
  • Discussion focuses on “luxury beliefs” and “suicidal empathy” of progressive policies that put ideology over public safety (32:06–33:35).
  • Critique is leveled at judicial appointments and DEI hiring, as the supervising judge is described disparagingly (35:27).

  Quote (Jessica Tarlov, 32:20):
  “A guy with a long criminal history is allowed to roam free because a certain segment of society…believe you can sacrifice people's health and safety so you can exemplify virtue. Of course, though, it’s a luxury belief because the people who do this don't ride the subways.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:05 | Greg Gutfeld | "Yes, Crockett, a physician named Dr. Jeffrey Epstein, who is totally different person than the other Jeffrey Epstein, donated to a prior campaign of mine." | | 09:01 | Jesse Waters | "JP Morgan filed 5,000 suspicious activity reports on Epstein. A billion dollars in suspicious financial wires..." | | 11:01 | Jessica Tarlov | "She admits that she knew it wasn't by saying ‘A’ and not ‘the’ before Jeffrey Epstein. She went public knowing this accusation would implicate an innocent man..." | | 14:55 | Zoran Mamdani | "My administration would be Donald Trump's worst nightmare." | | 23:25 | Nancy Pelosi | "I said that [Trump is a vile creature] as a euphemism. I could have done much worse." | | 28:50 | Greg Gutfeld | "I honestly believe this country did not want Hillary Clinton, whether Hillary Clinton was a man or a woman, and did not want Kamala Harris." | | 32:20 | Jessica Tarlov | "A guy with a long criminal history is allowed to roam free because a certain segment of society…believe you can sacrifice people's health and safety so you can exemplify virtue." |

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–02:57: Dubious Epstein accusations, Crockett/Zeldin mix-up, panel reaction
• 06:26–09:48: Impact and scope of Epstein file release, focus on Democrats, JP Morgan revelations
• 09:48–13:45: Integrity in political accusations, ethics, broader impact on Epstein scandal
• 14:55–15:49: Soundbites and preview of Trump–Mamdani NYC meeting
• 17:01–20:42: Political dynamics, DSA tensions, policy, and funding in NYC
• 23:09–29:31: Nancy Pelosi clip, her legacy, women in politics, panel reflections
• 30:23–36:15: Chicago crime, repeat offender, criminal justice reform debate and judge criticism

Overall Tone and Takeaway

The panel is combative, sardonic, and unapologetically partisan—characteristically irreverent and highly critical of Democrats. There’s a strong sense of anticipation and, at times, schadenfreude over the coming Epstein disclosures. Panelists emphasize the dangers of careless political rhetoric, the possible fallout for elites, and the deep challenges facing progressive urban policies—consistently drawing a sharp contrast with President Trump’s approach.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode spans from breaking down political gaffes (Crockett's Epstein claim) to the seismic potential of publicly released Epstein files, predicting a reckoning for major Democratic (and some Wall Street) figures. It pivots to cash-focused New York City politics, the challenge of leftist governance in a practical world, and a look at generational leadership shifts in Congress. Strong critiques of progressive criminal justice policies are illustrated via a shocking Chicago crime case, finishing with lighter banter on custody battles and pets.

If you want a fast-paced, opinion-heavy deconstruction of the latest political drama—with plenty of sharp one-liners and table-pounding—this episode delivers.