The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Episode 3577 — "Epstein’s Birthday Card; Schumer & Jeffries Cave Plans" with David Dayen
Date: September 9, 2025
Guest: David Dayen (Executive Editor, The American Prospect)

Overview

In this episode, Sam Seder and the Majority Report crew deliver their trademark mix of irreverent political commentary and incisive analysis, with a special focus on newly released documents linking Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, Democratic leadership’s latest approach to the looming government shutdown, the convoluted outcome of the Google antitrust case, and the Federal Trade Commission’s reversal on banning non-compete clauses. Sam’s guest, David Dayen of The American Prospect, offers deep insights into Democratic tactics and regulatory fights shaping the 2025 political landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein’s Birthday Card & Trump’s Connection

(Start ~06:22, detailed at 07:18-27:41)

• Document Release: House Oversight Committee obtained and released a birthday card Trump allegedly drew and signed for Epstein’s 50th birthday. The card, shaped crudely like a woman, contains cryptic, possibly coded messages between Trump and Epstein.

  • Memorable quote: “There must be more to life than having everything. DONALD: Oh, okay. ... we have certain things in common, Jeffrey.” — Sam Seder, reading the card [08:36]

• Media Denials and Damage Control: Trump and associates (notably J.D. Vance) call the card a forgery, but the card is now public. Trump’s son insists “he never draws,” but the show mocks these attempts to distance Trump.

  • Sam paraphrasing Trump’s logic: “Draw me a woman with breasts, and then I’ll sign it right in the vagina. That’s... I mean, that’s what that takes.” [10:57]

• Accusations and Allegations: Rep. David Min and others highlight past rape allegations involving Trump and Epstein, including a 1994 case where a 13-year-old accused Trump of rape at an Epstein party. The panel discusses media hesitance and credible threats that silenced accusers.

  • Quote (Rep. David Min): “There are a lot of connections where Donald Trump was named. Right. We had a 14 year old claiming that she was raped by him, then withdrew that claim after she was apparently threatened. His name appears a lot...[15:12]”

• Media’s Role and Ghislaine Maxwell’s Testimony: Sam and the crew criticize CNN’s John Berman for emphasizing that Trump hasn’t been charged, even as direct evidence and historical context exist. Ghislaine Maxwell’s denial of Trump wrongdoing is ridiculed, as she “has an incentive… because she wants a pardon” and is a “convicted liar.” [26:31]

  • Quote (Emma Vigeland): “If you’re a journalist on television talking about this case, ... acting basically as a lawyer for CNN instead of real journalism is one of the more darkly depressing elements of... our industry.” [27:07]

2. Google Antitrust Case & The Weak Remedy

(Interview with David Dayen, starts ~33:35, in-depth from 35:19–48:37)

• Liability Ruling: Google found liable for maintaining monopoly power in search by paying browser/device companies like Apple for default search placement (e.g., $26B paid to Apple in 2021).

• Remedy Phase Fallout: Judge Amit Mehta’s remedy allows Google to continue these payments (as long as they aren’t exclusive) and only requires them to share some search data with competitors—a ruling Dayen decries as “cowardly.”

  • Quote (Dayen): “It’s a horrible, cowardly ruling. ... The least the judge would do would be say, ‘Google, you can’t pay another company to be the default.’ That is not the case.” [37:58]

• Rationale & Critique: Judge Mehta bizarrely defends the poor remedy by invoking concern for Apple’s bottom line and optimism about future AI-powered search competition—which Dayen calls “not part of the case whatsoever” and “shocking and ... illegal.” [43:08]

  • Quote: “[Judge Mehta] basically said... if we take away this money from these browsers and device companies, they might not be able to deliver good products anymore. He’s basically saying, ‘Poor Apple, one of the richest companies in the world.’” — Dayen [43:08]

• Next Steps: Both the government (potentially via state AGs) and Google may appeal. A cross-appeal is likely. Another Google monopoly case involving ad tech is underway, overseen by a possibly tougher judge.

3. FTC’s Reversal on Non-Compete Ban

(49:35–57:29)

• Ban’s Potential Impact: FTC, under Lina Khan, sought to ban most non-compete agreements, a move that could have boosted worker earnings by $400 billion over a decade.

• Legal Limbo & Reversal: A Pennsylvania court allowed the ban, but a Texas court struck it down; change of federal administration led new FTC chair Andrew Ferguson to drop defense of the ban, effectively nullifying it.

  • Quote (Dayen): “Andrew Ferguson said, ‘The Trump-Vance FTC will never stop fighting for workers.’ And literally they stopped fighting the next day.” [54:42]

• What’s Next: FTC’s token action (against a pet cremation firm) and solicitation of public comment seen as stalling. Dayen notes that the next Democratic FTC chair could move more quickly, having this record established.

4. Democratic Capitulation on Shutdown & ACA Subsidies

(~57:37–76:07)

• The Current Rub: Another government shutdown looms. Schumer and Senate Democrats are expected once again to provide the needed votes for a budget with little to no meaningful leverage secured from Republicans.

• ACA Subsidies Cliff: A major “ask” reportedly on the table is the extension of enhanced ACA (Obamacare) subsidies, set to expire at the end of 2025. If not renewed, 5 million people will lose insurance, and others may see up to a 75% increase in their premiums overnight.

  • Republican Dilemma: Without an extension, Republicans would be blamed for this healthcare “cliff,” but voting for it is toxic for their base. Schumer, Dayen argues, is giving default cover to Republicans with no reciprocal concessions.

  • Quote (Sam): “There is no trade... Schumer just trying to figure out how he can capitulate and save face. And ... [they] are desperate for Democrats not to understand this dynamic...” [71:22]

• Negotiation ‘Pathology’: Dayen suggests Democratic leaders are pathologically attached to being the “responsible” party even as Trump ignores or rewrites the rules, refusing to enforce grant awards and gutting agencies.

  • Quote (Dayen): “If you’re offering something as a condition and you’re not willing to walk away from the table, then what you’re offering is meaningless.” [72:17]

• Homework for Listeners:

  • Republican district: call and oppose ACA extension
  • Democratic district: call and demand no deal without real concessions

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Epstein Card:
  “Enigmas never age. Have you noticed that?” — Birthday card allegedly from Trump to Epstein [09:14]

• On Ghislaine Maxwell’s Testimony:
  “Ghislaine Maxwell told Donald Trump’s former defense attorney now DOJ representative that Donald Trump didn’t do anything wrong.” — Sam [26:18]

• On Schumer’s Approach:
  “Schumer just trying to figure out how he can capitulate and save face.” — Sam [71:22]

  “They still have this pathology where they see themselves as the responsible party.” — Dayen [71:43]

• Google Antitrust Remedy:
  “It’s a horrible, cowardly ruling... Poor Apple, one of the richest companies in the world.” — Dayen [37:58; 43:08]

• On FTC & Non-Competes:
  “One in five working Americans are subject to a non-compete agreement... not just executives, but pet groomers, janitors, fast food workers.” — Dayen [49:35]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 06:22 — Start of Epstein card discussion
• 13:14–27:41 — Rep. David Min on media, legal allegations, and the cover-up
• 33:35 — Start of David Dayen interview
• 35:19–48:37 — Google antitrust remedy analysis
• 49:35–57:29 — FTC and non-compete ban discussion
• 57:37–76:07 — Upcoming shutdown & ACA subsidy battle; Democratic leadership critique
• 74:46–76:07 — Final thoughts on shutdown strategy and political consequences

Language & Tone

The Majority Report’s signature style is present throughout: sharp, sardonic, thorough, and deeply skeptical of establishment narratives—especially Democratic leadership’s tendency toward preemptive negotiation and Republican talking points. The banter is irreverent, and the political analysis is both wonky and accessible, creating an engaging format for policy and scandal alike.

Conclusion

This episode blends comedy, breaking news, and sharp political analysis, especially around the theme of elite impunity—from the Epstein files to Big Tech and government dysfunction. The Epstein card adds fresh fuel to the Trump scandal fire, while Dayen’s interrogation of regulatory failures (especially in antitrust and labor markets) reinforces the program’s stance: systemic change will require far bolder, more confrontational leadership than either party currently provides.