The Jim Acosta Show
Episode: Epstein Birthday Book Released!
Guests: Wajahat Ali, Miles Taylor
Date: September 8, 2025
Overview
This episode centers on explosive new revelations about the Jeffrey Epstein files and Donald Trump’s alleged involvement, following the House Oversight Committee's receipt of a birthday note from Trump to Epstein. Jim Acosta, joined by Wajahat Ali and Miles Taylor, dives into the mounting evidence, the political and legal ramifications, media accountability, and alarming moves by the Supreme Court and Trump administration regarding federal power and civil rights.
The episode covers:
- The significance of the Epstein birthday book and Trump's note
- The "FBI informant" claim against Trump
- The Trump administration’s alleged cover-up and ongoing media failures
- SCOTUS clearing aggressive ICE operations
- Trump’s plans for federal power, the so-called “deep state”
- Attacks on the free press, exemplified by Trump's treatment of Yamiche Alcindor
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Epstein Birthday Book & Trump’s Alleged Note
- [00:00–03:06] Jim Acosta opens with news that the House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. Robert Garcia, has acquired a birthday book for Epstein's 50th including a note and a lewd drawing allegedly from Trump—despite Trump’s denials.
- Wajahat Ali: “Did he draw that vulgar drawing with that vulgar sentiment in his capacity as an FBI informant or as a pro-pedophile president?” [00:59]
- The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) initially reported on this, weathering threats and lawsuits from Trump.
- [03:25–04:59] WSJ followed up by releasing more names from the book and further evidence of attempted cover-up.
- Pam Bondi, Trump's AG, reportedly informed Trump as early as May that his name appeared in the Epstein files, leading to alleged ongoing cover-up efforts.
- Maxwell’s alleged role as source of the evidence, and the suspicious transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell to minimum security after DOJ intervention, discussed as symptomatic of special treatment for well-connected offenders.
2. Allegations of a Cover-Up and Lack of Transparency
- Wajahat: “That means that the Trump administration has engaged in an active cover up since May when it comes to the Epstein scandal. And they have lied to the American public.” [04:20]
- ABC News and WSJ coverage refuted Trump's public denials.
3. “FBI Informant” Twist: Mike Johnson's Bombshell
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) claimed Trump was once an FBI informant in the Epstein case, only to later walk it back amid confusion and ridicule.
- Acosta: “The same guy who said it’s okay to grab people by the private parts. It’s a Monday. I don’t want to go down that road just yet.” [08:57]
- MAGA-aligned Republicans have historically vilified FBI informants (esp. re: Jan 6th), making Johnson’s claim particularly ironic and politically confusing.
- Ali: “So, okay, logically, when did he start becoming an informant? …Was the FBI telling him to go to the Miss Teen USA locker rooms and harass these young girls?... If it was, Jim, let’s just follow it logically. Why didn’t his efforts lead to Epstein being convicted in 2008?” [10:09–11:41]
4. Failures of the Media & Pressing Unanswered Questions
- Ali: “The failure of the press. Ask every Republican: Do you agree with Donald Trump that the Epstein scandal is a hoax? If you do, are you saying all these women are lying?” [14:41]
- Press criticized for not demanding clear answers, especially regarding survivors’ accounts.
- Acosta: “He just hasn’t been asked the right questions about this. And it’s kind of a sad state of affairs over at the press corps.” [15:15]
5. Supreme Court Enables Expansive ICE Policing
- [15:30–19:19] SCOTUS lifts restrictions, allowing aggressive ICE raids in Los Angeles, potentially enabling racial profiling and civil rights abuses.
- Acosta: “The Supreme Court cleared the way for federal agents to conduct sweeping immigration operations... carte blanche to just grab people because of the way they look, because of the way they talk right off the street. This is not America.” [15:54]
- Ali: “The six compromised, corrupt right wing hacks that constitute the majority… just gave Donald Trump and his increasingly authoritarian regime a pass to racially profile and to harass and terrorize innocent Los Angeles residents.” [16:59]
- Trump and Stephen Miller’s intention to escalate and invoke the Insurrection Act noted.
6. Trump’s Waning Political Power & Economic Critiques
- Ali and Acosta observe Trump polling in negative double digits on topics like immigration, deportations, and especially the Epstein scandal.
- Ali criticizes the “Mar-a-Lago patio” White House renovations as out of touch amidst economic hardship and disappearing jobs: “Not even cake, not even crumbs.” [21:30]
- Trump family’s billions in crypto profiled amid deepening conflict of interest concerns.
7. GOP as “Pro-Pedophile Party” – Rhetoric and Claims
- Ali and Acosta describe the chain of pardons, dubious DOJ decisions (e.g., Maxwell’s prison transfer, Russ Ulbricht’s pardon), and international scandals (e.g., a cybersecurity official’s escape after sting operation) as emblematic of a broader pattern:
- Ali: “Why this is the pro pedophile party. The GOP is now the group of pedophiles.” [25:40]
- Survivor testimony and threats to release more names intensify calls for transparency.
8. QAnon, Conspiracies & Irony of Trump’s Role
- Ali: “QAnon was a fringe nutty conspiracy theory that got mainstreamed by Trump and Republicans. ...It posits… anybody who’s opposed to Donald Trump, anybody—law enforcement, media—Jim Acosta is part of an international cabal… Sex traffickers who worship the devil and drink children’s blood. ...It is so vile that it radicalized individuals to commit violence.” [29:18–29:57]
- The ultimate irony: Trump, once portrayed as the hero fighting pedophilia conspiracies, is now central to the actual files his followers demanded exposure of—and he refuses transparency.
9. Press Freedom: Trump’s Treatment of Yamiche Alcindor
- Trump attacked PBS correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, calling her “darling” and “second rate,” during a question about his plan to send federal forces into American cities.
- Acosta: “It is wrong for Donald Trump to call a female journalist darling publicly... it is disgraceful behavior on the part of the President of the United States... We are here to hold them to account.” [59:18–62:03]
- Acosta and guests lament the lack of solidarity among press corps in standing up for targeted journalists.
10. Emerging Authoritarianism: Deep State to “Creep State”
- Miles Taylor details Trump’s efforts to “cleanse” and repopulate the federal government, especially law enforcement, with loyalists, lowering hiring standards to accelerate the process.
- Taylor: “He’s constructing one of his own [deep state]. And on ICE... To Donald Trump, he has learned that the most powerful part of government is... the people with the badges and the guns.” [41:08–42:39]
- The trend toward militarization: renaming the Department of Defense to the “Department of War,” emboldening aggressive federal policing, even likened to extrajudicial killings à la Duterte in the Philippines (referencing the Venezuela boat incident).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On the Epstein Files & Trump’s Drawing:
- Wajahat Ali: “If you look at the drawing, it’s his drawing. If you look at the signature, it’s a signature. ...Of course, it will come from the mind of Donald Trump, who chased models in the 90s with Epstein… All of it tracks, Jim.” [04:59]
On “FBI Informant” Claim:
- Jim Acosta: “MAGA has said FBI informants are trash, they’re not to be trusted... But now all of a sudden, it’s a good thing to be an FBI informant, which he’s not. Or was it?” [09:05]
On Media Accountability:
- Wajahat Ali: “A failure of corporate media... ask every Republican: Do you agree with Donald Trump that the Epstein scandal is a hoax? If you do, are you saying all these women are lying?” [14:41]
On SCOTUS & Federal Power:
- Jim Acosta: “The Supreme Court cleared the way for federal agents to conduct sweeping immigration operations... carte blanche to just grab people because of the way they look, because of the way they talk right off the street. This is not America.” [15:54]
On Press Freedom:
- Jim Acosta: “It is wrong for Donald Trump to call a female journalist darling publicly... it is disgraceful behavior on the part of the President... We are here to hold them to account.” [59:18–62:03]
- Wajahat Ali: “Even one person standing up like Yamiche, standing up to him—it unravels him, because at his core, he is a weak man…” [34:24]
On the GOP and Scandals:
- Wajahat Ali: “The GOP is now the group of pedophiles.” [25:51]
On Trump’s Deep State:
- Miles Taylor: “He’s constructing one of his own [deep state]... He has gutted them of people who’ve demonstrated that they have a conscience... It’s to backfill those people with loyalists.” [42:39–44:42]
On Trump's Economic Policy and Corruption:
- Jim Acosta: “It’s like Mar a Lago, but paid for with your tax dollars.” [21:09]
- Wajahat Ali: “Donald Trump and his family have made up to $5 billion [from crypto].” [24:17]
Important Timestamps
- 00:00–03:06 | Epstein birthday book & House Oversight bombshell
- 08:41–12:38 | Mike Johnson’s “FBI informant” claim, political ramifications
- 15:30–19:19 | Supreme Court ruling on ICE, implications for civil rights
- 25:33–27:21 | GOP “pro-pedophile” party allegations, Russ Ulbricht pardon, international scandal
- 29:18–31:02 | QAnon mainstreaming, implications for political violence
- 34:12–36:41 | Trump's attack on Yamiche Alcindor, press response called out
- 41:08–47:02 | Miles Taylor on Trump’s “creep state,” ICE as enforcement arm
- 50:05–53:52 | Symbolism & corruption in White House renovations, Venezuela strike as war crime
- 59:18–62:03 | Final word on media solidarity, defending journalism, holding power to account
Tone & Language
- Jim Acosta: Direct, occasionally exasperated, and unfiltered. Highly critical of Trump and the current administration, demanding accountability from the press and political institutions.
- Wajahat Ali: Cutting, witty, and sharp. Leans heavily into satire and pointed commentary, often deploying humor and vivid comparisons.
- Miles Taylor: Analytical, measured but urgent. Pulls from government experience, emphasizing technical and systemic risks.
Summary
In this urgent and densely packed episode, Jim Acosta, with guests Wajahat Ali and Miles Taylor, unpack the latest damning developments surrounding Trump and the Epstein case. They criticize ongoing media and governmental failures, call out political hypocrisy—especially around law enforcement, ICE, and the Supreme Court—while warning of the administration's increasingly authoritarian tendencies. The attack on Yamiche Alcindor exemplifies both the White House’s hostility to the press and the need for journalistic solidarity. The episode closes with a resolute plea for truth-telling and accountability.