Podcast Summary: The Jim Acosta Show

Episode Title: Epstein Survivor Calls on Trump to Testify on the Files plus Rufus Gifford on Greenland and John Della Volpe on the Youth Vote
Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Jim Acosta
Guests: Jess Michaels (Epstein survivor advocate), Rufus Gifford (Former US Ambassador to Denmark), John Della Volpe (Harvard pollster)

Main Theme

This episode of The Jim Acosta Show tackles three significant and controversial issues dominating US discourse in early 2026:

1. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, including survivor advocacy and political implications.
2. Donald Trump's bizarre and aggressive push to acquire Greenland and how it threatens US alliances.
3. The effects of current immigration enforcement—specifically ICE tactics—on the political attitudes and voting tendencies of young Americans, with a focus on the coming midterms.

Acosta is joined by key voices on each topic: Jess Michaels, representing Epstein survivors calling for transparency and accountability; Rufus Gifford, offering clarity on the Greenland situation; and John Della Volpe, breaking down youth voter sentiment and what it means for Democrats and Republicans moving forward.

Section 1: Epstein Files Controversy and Survivor Advocacy

Guest: Jess Michaels (Epstein survivor and advocate)
Timestamps: 00:00–15:24

Key Discussion Points

• Survivor Letter to DOJ Inspector General

  • Jess breaks the news: Epstein survivors sent a formal letter to the DOJ Inspector General, demanding an investigation into both previous and ongoing mishandling of the Epstein files under the Transparency Act.
  • Survivors cite failures in document redaction, missed deadlines for transparency and reasoning, and gross lack of communication and accountability from both the DOJ and Congress.
  • Jess describes horrific examples of poorly redacted documents: “And there was a whole page that was blacked out. And the only thing that was there was a survivor's name.” (01:34)
  • She recounts the exposure of confidential info, including survivor phone numbers and family names.

• Allegations of Predator and Offender Protection

  • Acosta challenges Jess on the “selective nature” of the redactions, asking if she sees this as predator protection.
  • Jess is unequivocal: “Predators, co-conspirators, enablers? Yes, 100%. We are very concerned that the people involved ... that all of that is being covered up.” (04:50)

• Systemic Government Failure and Survivors’ Distrust in DOJ

  • Jess expresses the survivors’ deep mistrust: “We don't have a lot of trust in this Department of Justice after the last few, five months of advocating. ... I don't know that any of us are going to feel safe and comfortable to do that, especially after what we've just seen.” (05:31)

• Political Shielding and Trump’s Public Reactions

  • Discussion of Trump’s efforts to block certain names from being released and his public outbursts in Detroit.
  • Acosta: “One of the auto workers yelled something at Trump ... Somebody says pedophile protector ... and he mouths back ... fuck you.” (06:02)
  • Jess: “The case could be made for saying you're protecting pedophiles when you're not doing everything in your power to get to justice, period.” (07:39)

• Lack of Bipartisan Transparency

  • Jess laments that various political actors are only targeting the opposition, never their own: “Donald Trump's name appears in the files ... He should be deposed equally. Bill Clinton's name is in the files. He should be deposed equally.” (10:56–11:46)
  • On selective subpoenas and media echo chambers, Jess notes, “My conservative family members or ... friends ... never get to see what is actually happening ... I've never been asked to go on a conservative news network.” (08:13)

• Urgency to Maintain Public Attention and Bipartisan Support

  • Jess worries about public fatigue: “You're a little worried that the public may move on. ... It almost feels purposeful on the part of the White House ... they would rather the American people talk about anything else.” (12:49)
  • She stresses, “This is the one bipartisan issue happening in our country right now that everyone can agree on.” (13:46)

Notable Quotes

• Jess Michaels:
  • “You can’t say there’s nothing here. We found nothing. And then say, but we also have 5 million files. You can’t say both of those things.” (03:14)
  • “There is nothing in this experience that we feel comfortable saying is protecting us. Nothing.” (08:13)
• Jim Acosta:
  • “Let the chips fall where they may. If the investigation leads in a direction of Bill Clinton, that’s the way it goes. If it leads in the direction of Donald Trump, that’s the way it goes.” (10:09)

Section 2: Trump, Greenland, and the Threat to NATO

Guest: Rufus Gifford (Former Ambassador to Denmark)
Timestamps: 15:24–31:24

Key Discussion Points

• Trump’s Greenland Obsession

  • Acosta: “Why Donald Trump seems to want Greenland ... It just doesn't make any damn sense ... Sometimes I think these things are intended to be distractions ... away from things like the Epstein files ...” (17:02)
  • Gifford calls the policy “clueless and reckless” (17:49), then provides three pillars why the national security argument for seizing Greenland is bogus:
    1. NATO Protection: “If Greenland were ... attacked ... Article 5 would be invoked ... and the entire alliance would be compelled to respond.” (17:49)
    2. US Military Presence: “We have a military base there now ... we used to have 17 ... Danes and the Greenlanders ... would welcome us back with open arms.” (17:49)
    3. Alliance Suicide: “The idea that you strengthen American national security by driving a stake through ... NATO ... is insane ... All a fractured west does is empower Russia and China.” (17:49)

• Bipartisan Alarm in Washington

  • Acosta points out that even Mitch McConnell said Trump's approach would “incinerate the NATO alliance.” (19:34)
  • Gifford dubs Trump’s strategy “spoiled brat diplomacy.” (20:12)
  • “It's an independent country. You don't just get something you want on the world stage.” (20:12)

• Mocking Allies and Eroding Trust

  • Acosta and Gifford discuss the White House mocking Denmark on social media, disrespecting a long-time US ally.
  • Gifford: “I've had the honor of actually being on some of [Greenland’s dog sleds]. ... To disrespect them ... to mock their military ... it is just so petty and it really makes all of us look small ...” (21:40)

• Global Perception of the US and Legislative Response

  • Gifford shares Europeans’ disbelief and deteriorating trust in America: “It's never been so hard to be an American living [in Denmark] ... it is the palpable distrust ... one president has just decimated that trust so quickly.” (29:30)
  • He mentions a new bill in Congress to check the administration's power: “I'm working with Congress right now. There is a bill introduced today. We gotta help ... ensure they check ... the Executive branch ...” (24:07)
  • Americans are overwhelmingly against the Greenland takeover: “Only 4% of Americans ... support a military takeover of Greenland.” (23:20)

Notable Quotes

• Rufus Gifford:
  • “Spoiled brat diplomacy ... It's like, Yes, I want it. I want it now. ... It's an independent country. You don't just get something you want on the world stage.” (20:12)
  • “Trust is ... one of the most important words in the English language. And one administration, one president has just decimated that trust so quickly.” (30:03)
• Jim Acosta:
  • “Do our allies think our President has just gone one flew over the cuckoo's nest here?” (23:20)

Section 3: ICE Tactics, Youth Voter Sentiment, and Democratic Strategy

Guest: John Della Volpe (Harvard pollster and youth vote specialist)
Timestamps: 31:24–49:27

Key Discussion Points

• ICE Enforcement’s Impact on Gen Z Attitudes

  • Della Volpe frames ICE’s harsh tactics as a defining political and emotional moment for young Americans: “They're developing their political ideology ... in real time. ... It makes them sad, makes them concerned, and it makes them fearful about our country.” (32:43)
  • ICE brutality is alienating Gen Z, pushing them toward Democrats and away from Trump, undermining Trump’s gains with young male voters from 2024.

• Youth Discontent and Potential Impact on 2026 Midterms

  • Della Volpe draws a parallel with the impact of the Parkland shooting and Mandalay Bay massacre on youth turnout in 2018: “We could be headed to that same place ... if young people and Democrats can take advantage of this moment ...” (36:04)
  • Recent polling: only 13% of young Americans believe the US is on the right track.
  • “Trump did have decent numbers ... in 2024 ... but what is happening with ICE ... has supercharged that rift.” (33:56)

• Public Opinion and Messaging Challenges for Democrats

  • Polls show 53% of voters disapprove of ICE enforcement; only 35% say justified (36:49).
  • Della Volpe urges Democrats: “We need to recognize that there has been chaos at the border. We need to recognize we need some fairness and order—it doesn’t mean ... using ... tactics that are being used and obviously ending in the killing of Renee Goode.” (37:19)
  • Democrats are seen as “weak” by the young, compared to “strength” shown (even on wrong-headed policies) by Republicans.

• Economic Anxiety, Trust Deficit, and Media Ecosystem

  • Both Acosta and Della Volpe underscore the dominance of “bread and butter” issues: “It is the economy, stupid. It just is.” (38:56)
  • Young voters are anxious about rent, health care, and AI’s effects on job security.
  • Della Volpe: “There's not nearly the same amount of resources [from] the left ... investing in these kinds of relationships [with new media and influencers] ...” (42:56)
  • Democrats are urged to engage nontraditional media and influencers—Joe Rogan, Twitch creators—to reach disaffected young men.

• Prescriptions for Democratic Messaging

  • “The lesson ... is the ability to listen, not lecture, and to tap into those extreme day to day anxieties ... connect public policy to solving some of those anxieties and taking some of the pressure off.” (39:59)
  • On abolishing ICE: “It could be a part of it ... but ... abolishing ICE without recognizing that people have real concerns … is not enough.” (47:38)
  • AI is an emerging issue of immense anxiety among youth: “You've got strong majorities of younger people ... deeply concerned about the impact [AI] is going to have on ... their economic futures.” (47:38)

Notable Quotes

• John Della Volpe:
  • “Younger people are making their preferences in real time about what values they have and which party stands up for those values. ... This is not good, I don't think, for communities for the country, for the future of the Republican Party right now.” (32:43)
  • “It has to be focused on the economy and specifically ... how is what's happening ... improving the ability for me to pay my rent?” (38:56)
  • “Democrats just need to be real and say, you know what, I know you don't trust us, I know you don't think we've delivered anything. But I'm telling you, I hear you.” (45:31)

Section 4: Acosta's Closing Rant – Public Outrage and Accountability

Timestamps: 49:27–end

Memorable Moments

• Acosta’s “Fuck You” Segue
  • Plays video of Trump being heckled in Detroit and responding with an expletive gesture (49:28).
  • Acosta expands into a pointed closing monologue, channeling national frustration:
    • “It seems to me the American people, if you look at what’s been taking place ... the outrage over the killing of Renee Goode ... the Justice Department slow walking ... the Epstein files ... There’s a lot to be pissed off about. ... It seems to me, the American people, are saying fuck you to Donald Trump ... for the Epstein files ... for ICE ... for terrorizing immigrants ... for screwing people on Obamacare ... for making Americans pay for your tariffs ... for threatening our NATO allies ... for threatening Greenland. ... There’s a lot to say fuck you about these days.” (49:28–end)

Summary Table of Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Key Topics | Timestamps | |---------|------------|------------| | Epstein Files & Survivor Advocacy (Jess Michaels) | DOJ coverup, redaction failures, survivor safety, bipartisan neglect | 00:00–15:24 | | Trump & Greenland (Rufus Gifford) | NATO threat, US global trust, Congressional pushback | 15:24–31:24 | | Youth Vote & ICE Tactics (John Della Volpe) | Gen Z attitudes, polling data, Dem strategy, media ecosystem | 31:24–49:27 | | Closing Rant (Acosta) | Outrage summary, public sentiment, Trump controversy | 49:27–end |

Conclusion

This episode offers a searing, urgent critique of institutional failure in high-profile government matters: the Epstein files coverup, the surreal Greenland acquisition debate, and the trauma inflicted by immigration enforcement. Each segment is united by a call—explicit and implicit—for accountability, bipartisan honesty, and a shift in how both parties engage with the public. Memorable moments include survivor Jess Michaels' plea for justice, Rufus Gifford's debunking of the Greenland hysteria, and John Della Volpe’s insight into Gen Z unrest. The tone is raw, direct, and deeply frustrated—matching the emotions of the broader American electorate described throughout the show.