The Jim Acosta Show – Prime-Time Special Report: Dem. Rep. Ro Khanna on the Fight to Release the Epstein Files

Date: September 17, 2025
Host: Jim Acosta
Guest: Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA)
Theme: An in-depth conversation with Rep. Ro Khanna about Congressional efforts to force the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, the bipartisan coalition involved, the resistance from political leadership—particularly Donald Trump—and the ongoing fight for justice for Epstein survivors.

Episode Overview

Jim Acosta sits down for an extended, candid conversation with Congressman Ro Khanna, a leading voice in the push to release all remaining Jeffrey Epstein files. The discussion centers on government stonewalling, the bipartisan movement in Congress, the power of survivors’ testimonies, and the broader social and political implications of exposing elite abuse and cover-ups. Both host and guest stress the moral urgency of the fight and its resonance with the American public.

Key Discussion Points

1. Why the Epstein Files Matter

• Justice for Survivors: Rep. Khanna emphasizes the core issue: “When we heard the emotional testimony of survivors, women who recounted being raped and assaulted at the age of 13 and 14...this is, first of all, about standing with survivors.” [01:31]
• Impunity for the Powerful: The lack of accountability for wealthy and politically connected men is underscored. “If you can't hold rich and powerful men who have abused young girls accountable, then obviously there's a breakdown in the system.” [01:54]

2. Congressional Action & Bipartisan Effort

• Discharge Petition Mechanics: Khanna details how he and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) collected 217 signatures for a discharge petition to force a floor vote on releasing the files, with support from unexpected GOP figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert. [02:07]
• Bipartisanship Under Pressure: Khanna acknowledges rare cross-aisle unity: “This is Marjorie Taylor Greene. This is Thomas Massie, this is Nancy Mace.” [05:07]
• Upcoming Vote: Khanna expresses growing confidence in a successful vote: “There are people who won't sign the discharge petition, but if the bill actually comes to the House floor, they're not going to vote no on releasing the full files.” [04:11]

3. Political and Institutional Stonewalling

• Justice Department Obstacles: Despite episodic releases (like the birthday book), Khanna describes “stonewalling” from the DOJ: “In terms of getting things from the Justice Department itself, it's been stonewalling. And that's why we need this vote in the House.” [03:22]
• White House & Trump’s Role: Both Acosta and Khanna outline White House pressure on lawmakers to prevent a vote. Khanna: “They’ve said they get calls all the time from the White House, in some cases directly from the President.” [14:22]
• Possible Trump Block: Acosta raises the scenario of Trump refusing to comply even after a Congressional vote, to which Khanna responds that “each step is going to be incredible political pressure” and speculates on Trump’s motives: “What force is so powerful that is protecting people in those files?” [05:07, 06:38]

4. What’s Allegedly in the Files?

• Beyond Trump: Khanna cautions it’s not solely about Trump, saying, “there are a lot of other people who have not been held accountable ... involved in either Epstein’s cover up or involved in this kind of farm system where young girls were trafficked.” [07:31]
• Complex Network of Abuse and Cover-Up: He points to “many, many other rich, powerful men” and describes the British ambassador’s firing for helping Epstein as “just the tip of the iceberg” of institutional rot. [07:51]
• Detailed Client List?: Khanna clarifies that, according to victims’ lawyers, there is not a neat “list,” but plenty of names arise from witness interviews, communications, and informal accounts. [13:13]

5. The Power of Survivor Testimony

• Turning Point: Survivor testimony before Congress catalyzed bipartisan momentum and public attention. “Before they spoke, this issue was frankly petering out...these courageous women ... re-injected an entire moral dimension to the story.” [08:58]
• Political Impact: Their stories directly moved lawmakers and shot up betting odds of passage from “about a 30% chance ... to 75% in four hours after that conference.” [09:46]

6. Dissonance & Denial

• FBI Director’s Controversial Testimony: The show covers the Senate Judiciary hearing where FBI Director Cash Patel denied evidence of trafficking to third parties:
  • Patel: “There is no credible information. None. If there were, I would bring the case yesterday...” [10:40]
  • Khanna: “Well, I'm confused too. First of all, why don't they just release the files then? ... The victim's lawyers have been very clear that there are other men involved in the cover up.” [11:15]
• White House “Birthday Book” Denials: Khanna dismisses the White House’s denials about Trump’s signature: “The lawyers who looked at it believe that it is his signature ... It's odd why he would lie about something like this.” [15:41]

7. Unlikely Political Alliances

• Working with the Far Right: Acosta marvels at Khanna’s coalition with Massie, Greene, and Boebert. Khanna is frank: “I did not [expect this]. Thomas Massie is a brilliant guy...Marjorie Greene I’ve never worked with before. She gave me a hug. It was such an emotional moment after the testimonials.” [17:24]
• Class & Justice Rhetoric: Khanna notes, “On this issue, [Greene] said...there are two Americas...one America is for the rich and powerful...another America for those abandoned and the victims. You could have pulled that speech out of FDR.” [18:13]

8. Trump’s “Hoax” Dismissals & Public Outrage

• Acosta: “It just seems nobody’s buying this hoax thing anymore. Except he seems to think it’s okay for him to say it's a hoax. It's so strange.” [19:38]
• Khanna: “It was so offensive ... you’ve got people who are in tears talking about being raped...and the same time you’re calling it a hoax. All they asked is for a meeting from him. And they were pleading with him, just help, help do right by us.” [19:48]

9. Broader Societal Implications

• Misogyny and Cultural Reckoning: Khanna reflects: “This whole thing has to be a big wake up call, not just about rich and powerful men being held accountable, but what have we done in a culture that so degrades and demeans women and how do we do better by women?” [20:52]
• Public Support: He adds, “the biggest comment I get is not 'go get Donald Trump,' it's 'thank you for standing with survivors.'” [20:20]
• Acosta’s Summary: “This is about how society treats women and how it responds to stories of abuse. And it’s not something that should just be pushed off to the side.” [21:51]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you can't hold rich and powerful men who have abused young girls accountable, then obviously there's a breakdown in the system.”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna [01:54]

• “What force is so powerful that is protecting people in those files?”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna [06:38]

• “All the credit goes to those brave women who told their story.”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna [09:46]

• “There is no credible information. None. If there were, I would bring the case yesterday that he trafficked to other individuals.”
  — FBI Director Cash Patel [10:40]

• “The lawyers who looked at it believe that it is his signature on. ... It's odd why he would lie about something like this. I mean, obviously it’s embarrassing, but is it more embarrassing than the Access Hollywood tape?”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna [15:41]

• “On this issue...she [Marjorie Taylor Greene] said...one America is for the rich and powerful. ... You could have pulled that speech out of FDR.”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna [18:13]

• “You've got people who are in tears talking about being raped at the age of 14. And at the same time you’re calling it a hoax.”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna [19:48]

• “This whole thing has to be a big wake up call...what have we done in a culture that so degrades and demeans women and how do we do better by women?”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna [20:52]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Why the Files Matter & Congressional Petition: 01:31–03:33
• Bipartisanship and the Path to a Vote: 03:33–05:27
• White House and DOJ Resistance: 05:03–06:43
• What's Actually in the Files?: 06:43–08:21
• Impact of Survivor Testimony: 08:45–10:06
• FBI Director Cash Patel Hearing: 10:30–11:15
• Victim-Compiled “List” Discussion: 12:43–13:57
• Political Pressure on Republicans: 13:57–15:06
• “Birthday Book” Authenticity Debate: 15:06–16:45
• Forming Unlikely Political Alliances: 16:45–19:15
• Trump’s “Hoax” Response and Aftermath: 19:15–20:08
• Societal Implication and Call for Cultural Change: 20:08–21:51

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Both Acosta and Khanna stress that the Epstein files are not only about one man or one administration but represent a test of American democracy, accountability, and societal values. The bipartisan push, driven by the courage of survivors, suggests that Congressional action may be imminent, even in the face of significant political and institutional resistance.

Acosta’s closing words capture the episode’s outlook:
"This is about how society treats women and how it responds to stories of abuse. And it’s not something that should just be pushed off to the side. It needs to be dealt with.” [21:51]

Khanna’s vow:
“I’m committed, as is Thomas Massie, to fighting this until that happens.” [22:30]

Summary compiled from the 09/17/25 episode of The Jim Acosta Show. For the full conversation, visit jimacosta.substack.com.