The Tara Palmeri Show
Episode: Why Trump Targets Female Reporters with Evan Fields
Release Date: December 3, 2025
Guest: Evan Fields
Host: Tara Palmeri

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the complexities of political journalism today, particularly focusing on how Donald Trump targets female reporters. Tara Palmeri, a seasoned investigative political journalist, joins Evan Fields for a candid discussion about her career, the state of independent media, the unique pressures on women journalists, and the intersection of power, truth, and advocacy—especially regarding the Epstein case. The conversation also touches on mentorship, advice for young women in journalism, and strategies for seeking truth amid hostile environments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Roots and Motivation of a Political Journalist

[01:29] – [05:04]

• Tara's Journey: Tara shares her entry into journalism starting as a CNN production assistant in 2008, networking her way into reporting roles, drawing deep inspiration from muckrakers like Upton Sinclair and Nellie Bly.
• Motivation: Strong desire to kick up dirt, find corruption, and promote change—similar to a prosecutor.
• Investigative Spirit: "I wanna kick up dirt and find out and find corruption and, and expose it." (Tara, 04:44)

2. News Shouldn't Be Boring—Learning at the Tabloids

[05:04] – [07:37]

• Tabloid Experience: New York Post’s lively culture—sensationalism as a vehicle for truth but with a working-class, populist spirit.
• Investigative Mentality: Emphasis on breaking stories, going to the source, and the value of original reporting in contrast to re-writing or commentary/blogging.

3. Staying Independent and Platforming Controversial Figures

[07:37] – [12:19]

• Political Neutrality: Commitment to truth supersedes any political agenda. Willingness to grill any guest and platform controversial figures like George Santos or Michael Cohen, so long as there’s meaningful scrutiny.
• On Platforming: "If truth is against your political agenda, then I'm sorry, you know. That is my agenda is getting down to the bottom of it." (Tara, 09:00)
• Critique of Cancel Culture: Contrasts old media icons like Barbara Walters with the current scrutiny on who “deserves” a platform.

4. The Jump to Independence & Audience Connection

[12:44] – [14:44]

• Going Solo: Tara credits the influence of independent journalists on platforms like Substack and YouTube. Finds satisfaction in being fully responsible and directly connected to her audience.
• Freedom to Decide: No more editorial vetoes; decisions are hers alone.

5. Women Reporters and the Trump Dynamic

[17:34] – [20:18]

• Female Persistence: Women often ask the toughest questions of Trump, breaking old power structures.
• Proving Themselves: Women in journalism feel an added pressure to prove toughness, countering expectations of docility.
• Notable Example: Praised Mary Bruce’s professionalism under Trump’s verbal attacks.

Notable Quote [18:35]:

"We have to prove ourselves that we're tough enough to be in the crowd. ... We're not soft, we're not docile, we're not afraid."
— Tara Palmeri

Notable Quote [20:18]:

"He does seem to go after women a lot more. ... Why am I surrounded by all these women asking me what I'm doing? This is not the way the power structure was supposed to be."
— Tara Palmeri

6. Male Laziness and Media Dynamics

[20:43] – [22:15]

• Evan’s Perspective: Male journalists can be “lazy,” seeking access instead of responsibility, leading women to step into the breach.
• Bro-Sphere Critique: Applauds women journalists for their willingness to challenge power.

7. Covering Sex Crimes and the Epstein Case

[23:53] – [32:16]

• Reporting with Empathy: Tara describes her privileged position hearing and amplifying the stories of survivors like Virginia Giuffre.
• Double-Checking Sources: Emphasizes the need for corroboration and credibility due to the severity of the allegations.
• Institutional Failings: Explains how young victims were discredited and the justice system obstructed by money and power.
• Collaboration: Highlights Julie K. Brown’s essential reporting and their partnership on the “Broken: Jeffrey Epstein” podcast.
• Personal Toll & Motivation: Shares the professional crossroads she faced, leaving ABC News, and rediscovering her purpose through advocacy journalism.

Notable Quote [24:02]:

"I've always been really drawn to stories about sex crimes against women and men. You know, it's not just women that, but really there are power imbalance stories. It's the same type of story that we talk about with politics. Like, I've always been drawn to power and how it can be corrupted and this is an example of it."
— Tara Palmeri

8. Mentoring Young Women in Journalism

[36:59] – [40:58]

• Advice: Advocates for gaining experience in corporate media (for mentorship and learning editorial safety), especially for those interested in investigative journalism.
• Independent Path: For commentary-focused work, going independent may be easier, but reporters need to learn standards and editorial caution.
• Personal Example: Abby Baker, Tara’s intern, exemplifies the importance of nurturing new talent.

Notable Quote [38:11]:

"If you want to be an investigative journalist, I think you probably should have a few years of experience in a newsroom or at least working under someone ... who can really nurture you and help you learn the ropes so you don't make mistakes."
— Tara Palmeri

9. The Future—Collaboration and Truth-Telling

[40:36] – [42:15]

• Dream: Tara envisions building an "army" of independent journalists, mentoring the next generation.
• Continued Commitment: Will persist in investigative, independent journalism regardless of scale.

Notable Quote [41:00]:

"You still be doing the work, telling the truth, right?"
— Evan Fields
(Tara affirms.)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On headline sensationalism:
  "News doesn't have to be boring to be news."
  — Tara Palmeri, [05:23]

• On platforming controversial figures:
  "Would I have Nick Fuentes on my show? Maybe, if I could have the ability to really grill him and understand..."
  — Tara Palmeri, [11:01]

• On leaving traditional media:
  "People are like, who leaves a White House correspondent job? ... I just didn't feel right to me."
  — Tara Palmeri, [32:16]

• On reporting sex crimes:
  "With Virginia, we'd never used her as a single source ... credibility is everything."
  — Tara Palmeri, [25:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Career beginnings, muckrakers' inspirations: [01:29] - [05:04]
• Tabloid and investigative newsroom culture: [05:04] - [07:37]
• On leaving corporate media & building independence: [12:44] - [14:44]
• Women in the press pool vs. Trump: [17:34] - [20:18]
• On reporting the Epstein saga & trauma of victims: [23:53] - [32:16]
• Advice for aspiring women journalists: [36:59] - [40:58]

Conclusion

Tara Palmeri offers an unvarnished, deeply reflective conversation on the ethics, risks, and rewards of frontline journalism. She underscores the importance of independence, the heightened pressures on female journalists, and the persistent need to speak truth to power—especially on issues that involve the most vulnerable. Her advice and candid storytelling provide inspiration for the next generation, while offering a blueprint for dogged, empathetic reporting in the modern media era.