VINCE Podcast Episode 171 Summary

Episode Title: Here Come The Epstein Files
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Matt Van Swall
Presented by: Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this episode, Vince Coglianese brings his trademark bluntness and political insight to two central issues: the political landscape for Republicans leading into the 2028 elections, and the explosive push for full transparency in the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Vince also dives deep into the state of economic “affordability” in America, the fallout from immigration policies, and the psychology of both left and right in current U.S. politics. The episode features an in-depth discussion with Matt Van Swall on border enforcement operations and the transformations within right-leaning politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Republican Strategy & The 2028 Election

• Vince opens by questioning what it will take for Republicans to dominate the midterms and reclaim the White House in 2028.
• He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the economy, jobs for American-born workers, and resisting the distractions created by the left.

2. Trump’s Campaign Persona & McDonald’s Event

• Trump’s ties with everyday Americans are highlighted with his lighthearted references to working as a McDonald’s fry cook and his frequent visits to the chain.
  • Notable Quote:
    “I speak to you as a humble fry cook who's risen to the heights of American power.” (Trump, impersonated by Vince, [02:52])
• Vince unpacks how Trump uses relatable scenarios (like working at McDonald’s) to connect with voters and showcase accessibility and authenticity.
• Discussion about Trump’s enthusiasm for McDonald’s and how it invigorates his voter base and campaign image.
  • Notable Quote:
    “The guy genuinely loves McDonald’s…he’s accessible. He doesn’t pretend to be anything.” (Vince, [03:22])

3. Economic Policy & Affordability

• Vince highlights the reversal of the Biden-era job trends, with more American-born workers employed under Trump’s current administration.
  • Quote:
    “1.9 million more American-born workers are employed today than when I took office… Nobody comes in unless they come in legally.” (Trump audio, [08:08])
• Strong criticism of government growth in jobs during Biden’s term and praise for Trump’s reduction in federal employment.
• Vince asserts that the Democrats have manipulated the term “affordability” to fit their narrative, disguising increased costs with government giveaways.
  • Quote:
    “What the left is really trying to do is pretend like they're the firefighters when they've been the arsonists… They printed trillions of dollars… that drove up inflation.” (Vince, [12:18])
• He stresses that true affordability means reduced costs, not bigger government or more subsidies, and ties electoral success directly to improving Americans’ economic situations.
  • Quote:
    “It’s the economy, stupid. Focus on that.” (Vince, [15:20])

4. Epstein Files & Democratic Disarray

• Key segment: Trump calls for total transparency and a new Justice Department investigation into Epstein’s criminal associations, including with prominent Democrats.
• Vince mocks and criticizes Democratic leaders for incoherent responses to Trump’s push for transparency.
  • Notable Moment ([23:19]):
    Vince highlights how Democratic leaders (Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries) are thrown off-balance by Trump’s stance, unable to process the new proactive Republican approach.
• Vince recaps pointed reporter questions about Democrat connections to Epstein, especially the case of Rep. Stacey Plaskett.
  • Quote:
    “Why should Americans trust you and House Democrats on the Jeffrey Epstein files when one of your own… was found to be texting with Jeffrey Epstein during a hearing?” (Reporter, [25:23])
  • Vince replies:
    “You shouldn't trust them... Even in the face of overwhelming evidence that it's their party that is full of utter disgrace.” ([27:42])
• Vince frames Trump as running “circles around” his opponents and democrat responses as “soulless.”

5. Immigration, Border Policy, and Housing

• Special guest Matt Van Swall provides an update on “Operation Charlotte's Web” – a DHS immigration enforcement action in Charlotte, NC.
  • Approximately 130 illegal immigrants arrested, several with criminal histories.
  • Matt and Vince discuss the optics of border enforcement, opposition from liberal activists, and media narratives sowing misinformation about deportations.
  • Quote:
    “I've yet to hear an American citizen that's been deported by ICE or Border Patrol. I haven't heard one.” (Matt Van Swall, [33:04])
• Discussion of how mass illegal immigration impacts affordability, especially in housing, schools, and social programs.
  • Quote:
    “If you deport 30 million people who shouldn’t be here… that’s less competition for scarce resources, which means more Americans can actually afford to buy one or rent one.” (Vince, [36:50])
• The H1B visa program comes under scrutiny as a vehicle for suppressing American wages and jobs.
  • Quote:
    “80% of the H1Bs are going to entry level workers… These are not Elon Musks…” (Vince, [42:01])

6. Psychology of the Political Divide & Media Bubbles

• Matt, a recent GOP convert, describes the mindset on the left and how media portrayals shape views on immigration and Trump.
  • Many on the left genuinely believe ICE and Border Patrol target Hispanics indiscriminately—a theme reinforced by selective reporting and viral social media posts.
  • Vince and Matt agree that effective communication of facts and direct engagement are key to breaking through media-induced ignorance.

7. Guns, the Second Amendment, and Fears of Tyranny

• Vince reflects on an NPR headline about increased gun purchases among liberals, minorities, and LGBTQ Americans, “out of fear.”
• He highlights the irony: the left is now embracing Second Amendment logic, justified by unfounded fears of Trump tyranny, while previously opposing gun rights.
  • Quote:
    “If you can even call it that, a demented, like, pattern of logic, I'm still okay with people realizing what the Second Amendment is for.” (Vince, [52:10])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Campaign Style:
  “He had a great time…like a childlike enthusiasm, like a kid who's being showed the North Pole, like, hey, this is where Santa and the elves prepare all the gifts.” (Vince, [03:22])
• On Biden’s Economic Legacy:
  “Native born Americans, you heard the president reference it…have gained jobs dramatically in the United States while Trump has been President…Government sector jobs, they've been shrinking. They've laid off a ton of people in the federal government.” (Vince, [08:41])
• On “Affordability” as a Buzzword:
  “Affordability, baby. Is this a complicated topic? No, it's not a complicated topic at all. It's exactly where we need to be.” (Vince, [18:02])
• On Democrats and the Epstein Files:
  “Trump is running circles around them…He goes from saying it's a hoax, let's not even engage in this. Okay, fine…Release everything. They have no idea how to even process it anymore, which is typical.” (Vince, [27:42])
• On Immigration & Housing:
  “Housing affordability is a huge one. You've heard from JD Vance recently talking about this...Well, here's a really obvious answer. If you deport 30 million people who shouldn't be here…that’s less competition for scarce resources…” (Vince, [36:50])
• On Media Bubbles and Ignorance:
  “I had no idea that illegal immigration was even a problem at all. I never knew that we had a border problem during the Biden administration…Zero.” (Matt Van Swall, [45:03])
• On Gun Ownership & the Left:
  “Now all of a sudden they're saying, well, lefties feel like it’s really important to get armed just in case the government becomes tyrannical. Even if you are arriving at this conclusion with a demented series of logic…I'm happy with that.” (Vince, [52:10])

Important Timestamps

| Topic | Start Time | |---------------------------------------------|---------------| | Opening: GOP 2028 Strategy & McDonald’s | 00:00 | | Trump at McDonald’s Event | 02:52 | | Economic Update – Jobs, Borders, Govt. | 08:08 | | Affordability & Critique of Democrat Policy | 11:15 | | Thanksgiving Cooking Interlude | 15:20 | | Epstein Files, Dem Disarray, Reporter Fire | 23:11 | | Matt Van Swall – Charlotte's Web, Immigration| 31:47 | | H1B Visas & Labor Policy | 39:36 | | Leftist Media Bubbles | 45:03 | | Gun Ownership & Tyranny | 52:10 |

Episode Tone and Style

Candid, irreverent, combative, and peppered with humor. Vince swings between analytical breakdowns of policy and economy, biting satire of political opponents, and personal asides that keep the tone energetic.

In a Nutshell

This episode delivers a fiery, detailed rundown of current events in U.S. politics, from the internal strategy of the GOP and challenges of economic “affordability,” to the stunning development around the Epstein files and the impact of media bubbles on public opinion. Vince’s discussion with Matt Van Swall offers a ground-level look at immigration enforcement and the real-world consequences of policy. Instead of shying away from the fight over narrative, Vince relishes the battle, putting listeners in the room where political and cultural realities collide.