What A Day – "Things Happen": Trump Goes All In On MBS

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston (Crooked Media)
Special Guest: Tommy Vietor (Pod Save the World co-host)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jane Coaston breaks down the convergence of major political stories connected to President Donald Trump: his fiery responses to questions about Jeffrey Epstein’s files and his highly publicized, convivial meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The show also examines the House's push to publicize Epstein files against Trump's wishes, Saudi-American power politics, U.S. foreign policy contradictions, and a snapshot of domestic stories, including educational shake-ups and gerrymandering battles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump, Epstein Files, and the ABC News Confrontation

• [00:02–03:25] Jane Coaston introduces the day's headlines, focusing first on President Trump's opposition to releasing Epstein's files.
  • The House passed a bill to force the DOJ to release Epstein-related documents, a move Trump resisted until last minute pressure.
  • On Air Force One, Trump lashed out at an ABC journalist for questioning him on the issue.
  • Notable Trump Quotes:
    • "No, it's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter." [01:27]
    • "I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert. But I guess I turned out to be right." [01:50]
    • "People are wise to your hoax...your company, your crappy company, is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake." [02:19]
  • Coaston dryly notes the “normal and cool” atmosphere his tirades create, observing that his anger “definitely doesn't raise any additional questions.” [02:54]

2. Trump and MBS: Public Friendship and Dismissal of Khashoggi Murder

• [03:25–04:06] Trump’s meeting with MBS highlighted U.S.–Saudi closeness, focusing on arms deals, investments, and possibly nuclear tech.

  • Trump and MBS’s jovial public handshake is described with irony by Jane.
  • When asked about Jamal Khashoggi’s 2018 murder (widely attributed to MBS by U.S. intelligence), Trump sidesteps:
    • "Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happened, but [MBS] knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that." [03:53]

• Tommy Vietor later points out Trump’s flippant attitude toward U.S. intelligence:

  • "He just does not care. He will side with MBS over his own intelligence community if it means the Trump family organization gets some sweet, sweet real estate deals in Riyadh." [06:30]

3. Mary Bruce’s Persistent Journalism

• ABC’s Mary Bruce is commended for asking Trump direct, uncomfortable questions about both Epstein and Khashoggi.
  • Coaston: "She should be credited with asking great questions that caused the president to dissemble completely..." [04:06]
  • Vietor highlights Bruce's “baller” status:
    • "...she asked a series of tough questions to both of them – what about Khashoggi? What about 9/11 families that are mad MBS is here? What about the Epstein...Your family's business interest in the Saudis?" [07:25]

4. U.S.–Saudi “Bromance,” 9/11, and Business Entanglements

• [05:08–11:31] Coaston and Vietor compare Trump’s effusive treatment of MBS to Biden’s criticized 2022 “fist bump,” discussing how Trump rolls out the red carpet and stonewalls on human rights issues.
  • Vietor: "MBS got everything he wanted and more." [05:43]
  • They recount Trump’s public downplaying of the Khashoggi killing, ridicule Saudi investment promises ("$1 TRILLION"), and examine alleged Trump Organization–Saudi business ties.
    • Vietor: "There's a ton of business being done and the Trump family is profiting handsomely from the presidency." [08:31]
  • The pair discuss how the Saudi–Israel normalization (central to Trump’s foreign policy aims) remains out of reach given the Gaza war, with Saudis “getting what they want” with little U.S. leverage in return. [10:42]

5. Weapons Deals and Nuclear Technology

• Trump’s announced plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia raise security alarms:
  • Vietor: "That's a big deal...the concern...is that the Saudis could then transfer that technology over to China...there's a real security risk there." [11:37]
  • Both hosts mock Saudi interest in U.S. nuclear tech, given their vast oil reserves.
    • Coaston: "What could possibly go wrong?" [12:35]

6. Human Rights, Realpolitik, and U.S. Interests

• Nepotism and business interests are shown to drive Trump's MBS policy:
  • Vietor: "He does not care at all. He just cares about Don and Eric getting deals." [14:42]
• Vietor offers a “sensible” U.S. policy suggestion—balance partnership with guardrails based on American values and real interests:
  • "There can be a military to military relationship...but that doesn't mean we have to give them everything...They don’t need F-35s...We care about human rights and US values. We don't have to just abandon them." [13:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Epstein:

  • "I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club..." [01:50]

• Trump defending MBS on Khashoggi:

  • "Things happened, but he knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that." [03:53]

• Jane Coaston’s sarcasm:

  • "Normal and cool. Definitely doesn't raise any additional questions." [02:54]

• Tommy Vietor on Trump’s priorities:

  • "He just does not care. He will side with MBS over his own intelligence community if it means the Trump family organization gets some sweet, sweet real estate deals in Riyadh." [06:30]

• Vietor on the fantasy of Saudi investments:

  • "If you tell him you're going to invest $11 trillion, like, he'll be happy. I would not hold your breath and wait for that to actually happen." [09:59]

Timestamped Highlights

• [00:02] Jane Coaston introduces headlines on Trump, Epstein files, and MBS visit.
• [01:27–02:54] Trump attacks reporter over Epstein questions.
• [03:25–03:53] Trump downplays Khashoggi murder with MBS present.
• [04:06] Mary Bruce’s acclaimed questions.
• [05:08–07:54] Interview: Tommy Vietor compares Biden–Trump approaches to MBS, scrutinizes U.S.–Saudi optics.
• [08:15–09:25] Trump’s denial of business ties to Saudis; reality check from Vietor.
• [09:59–10:31] Discussion of Saudi “$1 trillion” investment claim.
• [10:42–11:37] Flawed Israel–Saudi normalization pitch; F-35 sale concerns.
• [12:14–12:35] Nuclear technology sharing mocked.
• [13:03–14:45] Vietor outlines rational U.S.-Saudi policy and critiques Trump’s focus on his family’s business.

Additional News Briefs

Epstein Files Bill Passes

• [16:58–17:44] House passes bill (427–1) requiring DOJ to release Epstein files; Trump relents under pressure; oddness noted in Trump’s initial opposition.
  • Only “no” vote: Rep. Clay Higgins, citing privacy grounds.

Gerrymandering in Texas

• [17:44–19:44] Texas’ GOP-engineered map struck down; ruling a blow to Trump’s electoral influence; Democrats prepare countermoves.

Health Care, Education Updates

• House Republicans start negotiating ACA subsidies extension amid intra-party chaos and Trump’s impromptu policy shifts. [19:44–21:35]
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon outlines moves to dismantle the Department of Education by shifting responsibilities to other agencies. [21:35–23:02]

Speaker Attribution & Tone

• Jane Coaston: Wry, analytical, interspersed with sharp sarcasm.
• Donald Trump (clips): Combative, deflective, self-justifying.
• Tommy Vietor: Blunt, factual, occasionally sardonic.
• Mary Bruce (via reference): Persistent, lauded for tough journalism.

Takeaways & Context

• The episode gives a pointed, sometimes darkly humorous look at U.S. political hypocrisy, self-dealing, and the interplay of power, money, and foreign interests.
• Trump’s denialism and anger under questioning, versus his public bonhomie with MBS, are shown as part of a larger pattern of self-serving politics.
• U.S. foreign policy’s transactional nature, particularly toward Saudi Arabia (human rights vs. oil, weapons, and business), is critically unpacked.
• Listeners come away with clear understanding of how current events—Epstein accountability, U.S.–Saudi relations, redistricting, and education policy—intersect at the highest levels of American politics.

For Further Listening

• Hear interviews referenced: Tommy Vietor (Pod Save the World), Jamal Khashoggi’s widow (briefly mentioned).
• Subscribe for more deep dives—next, the intricacies of state dinners and U.S. diplomacy in Crooked’s exclusive “Inside 2025”.