The Jim Acosta Show

Episode: "Epstein Survivor Jess Michaels Speaks Out Plus Decoding Fox News' Juliet Jeske and Mediaite's Tommy Christopher Discuss Trump Latest"
Host: Jim Acosta
Date: November 21, 2025

Episode Overview

This powerful episode centers on the ongoing fight for the release of the Epstein files, survivor advocacy, and accountability in both political and media spheres. Jim Acosta first sits down with Epstein survivor Jess Michaels for a candid, moving conversation about the historic congressional passage of the Epstein files bill, the fallout for survivors, and bipartisan support. He is then joined by Juliet Jeske (Decoding Fox News) for a sharp critique of Fox's shifting coverage and the challenge of reporting on Trump-era scandals. Closing the show, Mediaite's Tommy Christopher weighs in on Trump’s recent controversies, the U.S. media’s defensive posture, and the ongoing struggle for truth in American journalism.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Historic Progress for Epstein Survivors & the Fight for Transparency

Jess Michaels Interview
[00:00 - 21:55]

• Context: Jess Michaels—Epstein survivor and advocate—discusses the intense week following passage of the Epstein files bill, the culminating press conference, and bipartisan support in Congress.

Landmark Congressional Vote

• Michaels recalls being present as Rep. Grijalva's signature secured the 218th spot, triggering cheers: "To be there on Tuesday for that historic moment of just Congress supporting us and saying, yeah, this is unacceptable and we can really all get on board with this." (01:00)
• Acosta notes rare bipartisan unity: "I saw Marjorie Taylor Greene up there. Thomas Massie... next to Ro Khanna...that's basically the entire political spectrum in American politics." (06:24)

The Survivors’ Message & the Waiting Game

• Survivor statement highlights:

  • They expect incomplete disclosures and victim blaming.
  • Death threats are already a reality for many.
  • Legal teams are ready to comb through files upon release.
  • Survivor solidarity—initiated in part by Virginia Giuffre and Maria Farmer—cannot be fractured by outside attempts.
  • Bipartisan congressional support is real and crucial.

  "In any kind of abusive situation...silence and secrecy are the tools of predators. ...We have come together so strongly as a collective of, of sister survivors started by Virginia Giuffre and by Maria Farmer, who was the original whistleblower back in 1996." (05:33, Michaels)

The Bill’s Unusual Speed and Trump’s Role

• Both are struck by legislative speed.
• Trump could release files now, yet delays persist.

  "Donald Trump could have released these files without an act of Congress... He could just do this right now." (02:42, Acosta)

Anticipated Smear Campaigns

• Michaels expects attempts to blame survivors or minimize the import of the files.

  "There's going to be attempts to blame victims for our own or each other's abuse... There is nothing about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's trafficking ring that was unique." (07:25, Michaels)

On Naming Names: Trump and Beyond

• Importance of not letting focus slip entirely onto Trump; the network of predators is much broader:

  "I think his name's going to come up. I think a lot of names are going to come up. ...it is so much bigger than Donald Trump right now." (10:24, Michaels)

Emotional Toll & Validations

• Michaels recounts exhaustion and relief at being validated by Congress, yet feels rage that it "had to take an act of Congress":

  "I woke up the next day feeling so much rage that we had to get an actual act of Congress to be heard." (14:34, Michaels)

Bipartisan Moments of Hope

• Michaels shares a moving account of Rep. Melanie Stansbury physically bridging the partisan divide, embracing Marjorie Taylor Greene on the House floor.

  "That moment will stay with me as an inspiring moment because...We need to come together. And if it's this one issue, let it be this one issue." (19:12, Michaels)

2. Media Coverage & Fox News’ “Epstein Blackout”

Juliet Jeske Segment
[21:58 - 40:33]

• Guest: Juliet Jeske (Decoding Fox News)
• Discusses Fox News’ avoidance of Epstein coverage—especially regarding Trump—and sudden about-face when the issue couldn't be ignored.

Data-Driven Media Critique

• Jeske shares empirical data showing Fox News’ mentions of “Epstein” flatlined during periods implicating Trump:

  "If you notice...that is a search for weekly transcripts simply for the word Epstein. ...It just shoots up like a rocket... when the dam broke, basically." (23:32, Jeske)

• Details on Fox ignoring live coverage of survivor pressers, heavily spinning Epstein content when forced to cover:

  "Now they're like, 'oh, Epstein, it's no big deal.' ...Their spin is that this is going to be bad for Democrats and Trump was holding it back because he didn't want to embarrass anybody." (26:21, Jeske)

The Limits of Conservative Media Accountability

• Jeske notes that ignoring coverage is an intentional strategy for issues damaging to Trump, only relenting when public attention is unavoidable.

“Trump Without Trump”: Satire as a Coping Mechanism

• Jeske's viral "Trump without Trump" videos—censoring audio/visuals of Trump, narrating his words in a childlike manner:

  • Illustrative excerpt about Trump's water policy ramblings.

  "We got rid of the drip, drip water...They put a restrictor on. I won't mention the third item in the bathroom..." (31:41, Jeske, in-character)

• Jeske shares the labor of making these for public benefit:

  "I started making them again after Aaron [Rupar] said that, because I was like, I should probably make these again. And they were so much more popular after he won again. ...Now they're, like, off the scale popular." (34:31, Jeske)

3. Trump’s Week in Media & Political Outrage

Tommy Christopher Segment
[40:33 - End]

• Guest: Tommy Christopher (Mediaite)
• Covers Trump’s recent public appearances and associated scandals: controversial interviews, rhetoric about journalists, and his attacks on reporters.

Trump’s Bizarre Press Moments

• Discusses Trump's joint appearance with NYC Mayor “Mom Donnie” (Yusuf Salaam); the awkward dynamic, Trump being called fascist to his face.

  "He doesn't mind being called a fascist." (42:03, Christopher)

Trump’s Alarming Rhetoric

• Christopher and Acosta react with shock to Trump’s recent suggestion that Democratic “sedition” is punishable by death, and his downplaying of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder:

  "He [Trump] was very controversial. A lot of people didn't like him. ...That my jaw literally dropped." (49:14, Christopher)

Journalism Under Attack

• Both call out the lack of solidarity among White House press corps after Trump called Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucy “Piggy.”

  "She tweeted a summary of the gaggle and she noted that he called her Piggy and none of them said shit. And that is a big problem..." (52:25, Christopher)

• Both recall earlier years when media stood up to the White House, now lamenting corporate passivity:

  "We, we don't want our reporter to be the center of the story. ...You are letting the next reporter down." (54:03, Christopher)

• They advocate for more collective defense:

  "It's a privilege to sit in that room. And so many people who do it just ain't shit. ...There are a lot of them who sit there with their thumbs up their ass and they don't say anything while this stuff is happening to these very brave women." (58:37, Christopher)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• Jess Michaels [Survivor perspective, 07:25]:
  "There is nothing about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's trafficking ring that was unique. It is the exact same playbook that is played out in every sex trafficking ring."

• Jim Acosta [Bipartisan hope, 06:24]:
  "Marjorie Taylor Greene up there. Thomas Massie...next to Ro Khanna ...So, I, you know, it's kind of a mind blowing experience for me as a political reporter, I'll be real honest with you."

• Juliet Jeske [On Fox's coverage, 29:31]:
  "When Fox doesn't want to cover something, they ignore it. And then people say, well, what are Fox saying? ...And I have to say, nothing. ...How do you show nothing?"

• Tommy Christopher [On media’s responsibility, 54:03]:
  "You are letting the next reporter down. ...Whoever was the last one to get attacked and didn't say [something] let Mary Bruce down."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–21:55 — Jess Michaels interview: survivor advocacy, congressional win, challenges, significance.
• 21:58–40:33 — Juliet Jeske: Fox News' shifting coverage, "Trump Without Trump," analysis of conservative media.
• 40:33–1:00:00+ — Tommy Christopher: Trump’s controversies, Khashoggi comments, journalistic integrity, media self-defense.

Tone and Style

• Candid and passionate: Speakers drop formal neutrality when necessary (e.g., “go fuck themselves”).
• Emotionally charged: Michaels recounts both hope and rage; Acosta and Christopher express frustration with media institutions.
• Conversational, rapport-driven: All guests contribute humor, pathos, and critical insights.

Conclusion

Jim Acosta closes with renewed admiration for survivors' courage and resolve:

"Let's end on an optimistic note for this week, folks, because what they proved here in Washington...is that you can believe in something and you can make it happen." (End)

The episode bridges survivor advocacy, rare congressional unity, and tough, necessary scrutiny of both political and media establishments—helping listeners understand the stakes and ongoing struggle for transparency and justice in the Epstein case and beyond.