The Jim Acosta Show – Episode Summary

Episode: BREAKING NEWS NATIONAL GUARD SHOOTING IN DC, WITH MALCOLM NANCE & LEV PARNAS, PLUS MOLLY JONG FAST WITH OUR TOP 10 TURKEYS
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Jim Acosta
Guests: Malcolm Nance, Lev Parnas, Molly Jong-Fast

Overview

This episode of The Jim Acosta Show begins with breaking news of a shooting involving two National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C.—an event unfolding just as the show goes live. The episode rapidly pivots between real-time updates on the situation and an in-depth discussion with Malcolm Nance and Lev Parnas on Trump-era diplomacy and the Russia-Ukraine war, followed by a lighter segment that humorously counts down the "Top 10 Turkeys of 2025" with Molly Jong-Fast.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Breaking News: Shooting Near the White House

[00:06–04:28]

• Incident: Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot and reportedly killed near Farragut Square, just blocks from the White House.
• On-the-Scene Reporting: Jim Acosta and his producer, Sam, provide live updates amidst a heavy law enforcement presence involving D.C. Police, Secret Service, ATF, and National Guard.
• Immediate Response:
  • "It is just terrible, tragic news that this is happening right before Thanksgiving." – Jim Acosta [04:04]
  • Conflicting Reports: West Virginia’s Governor Patrick Morrissey initially confirmed their deaths but later cautioned that new information might change that status.
  • "We are now receiving conflicting reports...it is possible at this point that they are alive. We don't know." – Acosta [25:29]

2. The National Guard & Security in D.C.

[04:28–06:56]

• Acosta discusses the recent controversial deployment of National Guard troops in D.C., highlighting the humanity of these young service members and the potential impact of such incidents on public sentiment.

3. The Russia-Ukraine "Peace Plan" Leak & Trump’s Inner Circle

[07:15–28:29]

a. Background & Explosive Bloomberg Report

• Revelation: Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff was documented strategizing with a Russian official about a “peace plan” for Ukraine, encompassing concessions long demanded by Putin (e.g., ceding Donetsk and Luhansk).
  • "That's not negotiation. It was surrender." – Malcolm Nance [08:35]
• Concerns Raised:
  • Both Nance and Parnas frame the deal as a thinly disguised Russian land grab, engineered with the complicity of Trump’s closest allies.
  • Kushner’s mysterious involvement and rumors of ulterior motives—money, power, and leverage over Trump—are probed.

b. Russian Intelligence & Epstein Connections

• Intelligence Perspective:
  • Nance suggests the peace plan and audio leaks are part of a broader Russian intelligence operation, leveraging decades of material held over Trump.
  • "Why is Trump siding with Moscow? This has nothing to do with peace. There’s almost half a trillion dollars of solid gold reserves and sanctioned money sitting in Russian banks he wants access to." – Malcolm Nance [14:35]
• Epstein Ties:
  • Parnas highlights the overlooked Russian connections in the Epstein files and the web of influence extending into Trump’s world.
  • "Trump is worried about what might come out in the Epstein files because ... Epstein was heavily connected to Russia." – Lev Parnas [15:19]

c. Ukrainian Resolve and U.S. Policy

• The guests underscore Ukrainian resilience and suggest Trump’s policy oscillation and withholding of aid have forced Ukraine to become more self-reliant.
  • "They cannot be defeated... Surrender is not in their name." – Malcolm Nance [18:38]
  • "Ukraine has been doing this for ten months without any, I mean, very minimal, if any, help from the United States." – Lev Parnas [29:51]

d. Dangers of Policy Militarization

• Implications of the Shooting:
  • Nance warns about militarization and a new mindset among the Guard, shaped by hysteria and Trumpian messaging.
  • "Now they're going to mandate that everyone carry those long rifles. Condition one, hot, be prepared... They will now militarize D.C." – Malcolm Nance [25:55]

e. Skepticism About Peace Prospects

• Conclusion: Both guests doubt the legitimacy and efficacy of any U.S.-Russia "peace plan" while Trump is in office.
  • "As long as Donald Trump’s involved... the Ukrainians are probably having to figure out...the great relationship with their biggest partner or their dignity, and they’re not going to ever sacrifice their dignity." – Malcolm Nance [29:48]

4. Lighter Segment: "Top 10 Turkeys of 2025" with Molly Jong-Fast

[32:00–53:32]

a. Tone Shift: Satirical Countdown

• Acosta and Jong-Fast humorously assign "Turkey" awards to public figures and political operatives, ranking those responsible for political and governmental dysfunction or scandal this year.

b. The List (Select Highlights)

• #10: "The Henchman" – Stephen Miller, Project 2025 figures, and associated characters.
• #9: "The Wussies" – Mike Johnson (House Speaker) and Republicans in Congress.
• #8: "The Sellouts" – Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, for their roles in advancing Russian-aligned Ukraine policy.
• #7: Kristi Noem – Lampooned for cringeworthy optics and questionable policy stances.
• #6: Pete Hegseth – Criticized for "foxifying" the Pentagon and promoting militarization.
• #5: Jesse Watters – Roasted for his obsession with Acosta and lack of MAGA administration appointments.
• #4: Pam Bondi – For Justice Department politicization and the Epstein client list cover-up.
• #3: J. D. Vance – For perpetual online antics and defense of indefensible actions.
• #2: RFK Jr. – "For single-handedly decimating public health" with anti-vax influence.
• #1: Donald Trump – The ultimate "2025 Turkey," for mainstreaming “fascism” and fostering dysfunction.

Notable Quote:
"He is a fascist... He also bulldozed the East Wing without telling anybody in advance except people inside the White House. His name was all over the Epstein files." – Jim Acosta [51:30]

c. Honorable Mentions

• Lindsey Halligan and Caroline Levitt, lampooned for their media personas and ineptitude.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Trump’s Ukraine Policy:
  "At every turn, Donald Trump sides with Vladimir Putin at every turn." – Jim Acosta [13:23]
• On Russian Leverage:
  "Putin has them by... You know what." – Lev Parnas [16:30]
• On Militarization Risks in D.C.:
  "Now they're going to mandate that everyone carry those long rifles. Condition one, hot, be prepared...They will now militarize D.C." – Malcolm Nance [25:55]
• On the “Peace Plan”:
  "There’s nothing altruistic or statesmanlike going on in this thing... As long as Donald Trump’s involved, the Ukrainians are probably having to figure out, based on what President Zelensky said the other day, the great relationship with their biggest partner or their dignity, and they’re not going to ever sacrifice their dignity." – Malcolm Nance [29:48]
• On the seriousness of the Epstein-Russia Link:
  "Epstein’s relationship with Victor Churkin...he talks about how he’s downloaded Churkin on all the...they need to know about Donald Trump." – Lev Parnas [15:54]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:06–04:28] – Shooting near the White House, on-the-ground updates
• [07:15–24:35] – Russia-Ukraine peace plan revelation and Russia’s leverage over Trump
• [25:29–28:44] – Unconfirmed status of Guard members, implications for D.C. and Guard policy
• [29:48–32:01] – Final thoughts on Ukraine and U.S.-Russia relations
• [34:18–53:32] – The “Top 10 Turkeys of 2025” comedy segment, with detailed commentary on each selection

Conclusion & Takeaways

This episode seamlessly fuses urgent, sobering reporting on a national tragedy with unvarnished analysis of international intrigue and Trump’s foreign policy, then veers into sharp satire dissecting D.C.'s political dysfunction. Acosta and his guests emphasize both the dangers of real-world conspiracies tying U.S. policy to Russian interests and the necessity of independent, fact-driven journalism—even as public confidence and government accountability are tested. The “Turkey” segment ends the show on a pointed note of humor, providing much-needed levity while underlining the stakes.

For listeners seeking a concise cross-section of today’s political drama—mixing raw breaking news, hard-hitting discussion, and biting humor—this episode is essential.