The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Jonathan Karl | The File Countdown
Date: November 13, 2025
Guest: Jonathan Karl (ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent, author of "Retribution")

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers Stephen Colbert’s signature satirical and sharp-witted take on the latest political headlines, focusing on the dramatic day in Washington: the end of a 43-day government shutdown, the high-stakes power struggle in Congress over the Epstein files, and revelations about former President Trump’s connections to Epstein, as well as an interview with journalist Jonathan Karl about his new book "Retribution." The discussion delves into both breaking news and behind-the-scenes insights from Karl’s investigative reporting—offering listeners a critical lens on current U.S. political dramas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Ends Amid Congressional Showdown

• [03:56–04:11] Colbert opens the show with news that the House finally voted to end a 43-day shutdown, providing comic relief while summarizing the gravity and absurdity of the prolonged impasse.
• The swearing-in of Democrat Adelita Grijalva is highlighted as historic, not just for ending the deadlock but for immediately influencing the Epstein files’ release.
  • Colbert jokes: “Down there is the room where you’re going to topple the pervert cabal.” ([04:34])

2. The Epstein Files & Trump Connections Unveiled

• [04:34–10:35] Colbert breaks down newly revealed emails from Jeffrey Epstein, including ones linking Trump to Epstein's conduct.
  • Colbert’s sardonic tone: “Wow. What a shocking revelation. This is like that moment in the Sixth Sense when Bruce Willis appears on screen and you’re like, oh, I get it. He’s the guy on the poster.” ([04:56])
• The narrative reveals Michael Wolff communicating with Epstein about potentially blackmailing Trump and highlights the perverse normalcy of their exchanges.
  • Quote: “Looks like you’re trying to avoid questions about sex crimes. Would you like help?” ([Colbert, 06:00])
• Ghislaine Maxwell emails are mentioned, with references to Trump as “the dog that hasn’t barked,” fueling speculation about who knew what and when.

3. Unusual Coin News & Trump Legacy

• [10:35–12:22] A coin commemorating Trump for the 250th anniversary is mocked for its impracticality and break with tradition.
  • Colbert quip: “In America, historically, we don’t put living people on money…that coin was so unpopular…they melted it down.” ([10:46–11:20])
• Jokes are interwoven about White House decor makeovers and claims of the Lincoln Bedroom being haunted—a segue for Colbert’s signature surreal humor and an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.

4. Interview with Jonathan Karl: Washington Insiders & Untold Stories

• [15:49–24:16]
• Jonathan Karl explains the critical release of new Epstein-related emails/documents, their sources, and the implications of political actors’ reactions.
  • Karl: "All those emails that came out today, they came from the Epstein estate…these were all new. They raised so many more questions.” ([15:49])
• On Congressional maneuvers: Details the pivotal role of Congresswoman Grijalva in signing the discharge petition, and the White House’s efforts to keep certain Republicans from supporting it— including trying to sway Rep. Lauren Boebert in the Situation Room ([16:27–17:42]).
• Discussion of the shutdown deal’s inclusion of a bizarre clause allowing Republican senators to sue the DOJ for $500,000 over subpoenaed records—shedding light on legislative horse-trading.
  • Karl: “…it basically makes it impossible for the Justice Department to defend against that lawsuit. So for any of those Republican senators that sue, it basically is a check for $500,000.” ([19:29-20:02])

5. Unseen Evidence from the Trump Investigations

• [20:02–22:51]
• Karl shares details from Jack Smith’s final (unpublished) report on Trump’s classified documents case, revealing Trump allegedly hid documents from his own lawyers and was recorded discussing obstruction ([20:17–21:02]).
• Mike Pence’s Handwritten January 6th Notes:
  • Colbert brings up Pence’s notes from the morning of January 6th that hadn’t been revealed in prior investigations.
    • Karl: “Pence was a cartoonist…this is his calendar…You see him just detailing the ways in which Trump is basically threatening him and telling him, you have to do this.” ([21:48-22:45])
    • Colbert: “That's a very accurate picture of Trump.” ([22:45]), referencing Pence’s angry-face doodle.
  • Karl deflects specifics about how he obtained the notes, hinting at the sensitive nature of investigative journalism ([23:03–23:07]).

6. Karl’s Relationship with Trump

• [23:23–24:16]
• Humorous rundown of Trump’s insults towards Karl, compiled by Karl’s daughter:
  • “A third-rate reporter, a real scumbag, a lightweight…you’re never going to make it…works so hard but has so little talent.” ([23:42])
  • Colbert: “You raised her right.” ([24:17])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:56 | Stephen Colbert | “Wow. What a shocking, shocking revelation. This is like that moment in the Sixth Sense when Bruce Willis appears on screen and you’re like, oh, I get it. He’s the guy on the poster.” | | 06:00 | Colbert (satire) | “Looks like you’re trying to avoid questions about sex crimes. Would you like help?” | | 15:49 | Jonathan Karl | “All those emails that came out today, they came from the Epstein estate…these were all new. They raised so many more questions.” | | 17:09 | Jonathan Karl | “The first thing she does as a member of Congress is sign that discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Justice Department’s Epstein files.” | | 19:29 | Jonathan Karl | “…it basically makes it impossible for the Justice Department to defend against that lawsuit…so for any of those Republican senators that sue, it basically is a check for $500,000.” | | 21:51 | Jonathan Karl | “I wrote a book about January 6th and I hadn’t seen this. The January 6th committee…they hadn’t seen this thing. This is extraordinary because Mike Pence is about to go to the Capitol to preside over the certification of the election, and Trump is calling him at 10 o’clock in the morning and berating him…” | | 23:42 | Jonathan Karl | “So he’s called me a third rate reporter, a real scumbag, a lightweight…he said, you’re never going to make it…works so hard but has so little talent. So the relationship is, you know, it’s good.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:56 – Colbert’s monologue on government shutdown and introduction of the Epstein file news
• 10:35 – Satirical segment on the new Trump coin and haunted Lincoln Bedroom
• 15:49 – Jonathan Karl joins, discusses new Epstein files and Congressional intrigue
• 19:29 – Deep dive into Jack Smith investigation, classified documents, and January 6th evidence
• 23:23 – Karl on his personal, often combative relationship with Trump

Tone & Style

The episode is marked by Colbert’s comic, irreverent, and incisive tone—mixing sharp satire with direct, factual reporting in conversation with Jonathan Karl. The interview is candid, fast-paced, and leverages both humor and journalistic seriousness to unpack heavy political stories, occasionally breaking tension with absurdity (e.g., Colbert’s Lincoln ghost bit).

Takeaway

Whether you follow U.S. politics closely or just want to understand the latest chaos with a side of laughs, this episode unpacks the day’s explosive revelations about government gridlock, shadowy power plays over the Epstein files, and inside accounts of Trump-era investigations—all filtered through Colbert’s comedic lens and Karl’s reportage. As Colbert quips, the news is stranger than fiction—“You think you understand how this business works, but you don’t.” ([24:42])