Trump Targets Obama, Deflects From Epstein

Thu Jul 24 2025

While pressure mounts on the White House to release documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, President Donald Trump is doing his damndest to turn the public’s attention to his latest conspiracy (which is really just a remix of an old one). The president is alleging, despite zero evidence, that former President Barack Obama and members of his administration lied about Russian efforts to swing the 2016 election for Trump and made up intelligence to support those claims. This time, though, Trump’s wild allegations are being fueled by his own Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. She’s been releasing documents she says contradict the intelligence community’s well-established conclusions about Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, claiming they’re proof of a ‘coup’ to undermine Trump during his first term in office. Atlantic Staff Writer David Frum, host of the new podcast ‘The David Frum Show,’ joins us to talk about the return of ‘Russia,...

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Trump Targets Obama, Deflects From Epstein" – What A Day by Crooked Media

Release Date: July 24, 2025

Host: Jane Coston

Overview

In this episode of What A Day, host Jane Coston delves into the tumultuous political landscape surrounding former President Donald Trump. The discussion centers on Trump's renewed allegations against former President Barack Obama, the ongoing Epstein controversy, and the broader implications for American politics and governance. The episode also features an insightful conversation with David Frum, a staff writer at The Atlantic and host of The David Frum Show, who provides expert analysis on the unfolding events.

Main Topics

1. Trump's Renewed Allegations Against Obama

Jane Coston opens the episode by highlighting Trump's resurfacing conspiracy theories targeting Barack Obama. Despite the established bipartisan consensus on Russian interference in the 2016 election, Trump accuses Obama and his administration of fabricating intelligence to undermine his presidency.

Key Point: Trump alleges that Obama and his team lied about Russian involvement in the 2016 election to benefit Hillary Clinton.
Notable Quote:
Jane Coston (00:02): "Obama is at the center of a massive conspiracy centered on Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election."

2. The Epstein Controversy and DOJ Involvement

Amidst Trump's attacks on Obama, the episode shifts focus to the Epstein files. Reports from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times indicate that the Department of Justice (DOJ) informed Trump in May about the presence of his name in Epstein-related documents.

Key Point: Trump faces mounting pressure over his alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein, which he attempts to divert by targeting Obama.
Notable Quote:
Donald Trump (17:34): "These files were made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were made up by Biden."

3. Interview with David Frum on Conspiracy Theories

Jane engages in a detailed conversation with David Frum to unpack Trump's conspiracy theories and their potential impact on American democracy.

Key Discussion Points:
- Public Nature of Trump's Scandals: Frum emphasizes how Trump's public handling of scandals undermines the seriousness and factual basis of the allegations.
  
  David Frum (03:57): "Trump is using the one scandal that we know about from 2016 to sort of protect himself from the other scandal that we're just remembering in plain sight in 2025."
- Threats to Political Opponents: Frum warns that Trump's rhetoric indicates a troubling direction where he may use state power against his adversaries.
  
  David Frum (05:55): "When he threatens to use the power of the state against political opponents, you should take that seriously."
- Manipulation of Intelligence: The episode discusses Tulsi Gabbard's role in releasing documents that allegedly support Trump's narrative, raising concerns about the integrity of the intelligence community.
  
  David Frum (07:08): "The whole government of the United States is spinning in these crazy directions... putting guns up the noses of gardeners and roofers."

4. Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Legal Case

The podcast reviews the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was released from a Tennessee jail amid smuggling charges. The judge's decision and subsequent legal maneuvers by the Trump administration are scrutinized.

Key Points:
- Court Rulings: Federal judges have granted Garcia's release and blocked ICE from reclaiming him without proper notice.
- Government's Response: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasizes the need for Garcia to face the legal consequences of his alleged crimes.
- Notable Quote:
  Kristi Noem (no timestamp): "He’s standing trial now and I hope he faces consequences for his crimes and that that will be something that we will be able to deliver for the people that have been victimized by him and his actions over the years."

5. EPA's Plan to Reverse the Endangerment Finding

The episode shifts to environmental policy, discussing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's initiative to reconsider the 2009 Endangerment Finding regarding greenhouse gases.

Key Points:
- Proposed Changes: The EPA argues that greenhouse gases are not as detrimental as previously thought, attributing environmental issues to reduced consumer choice from climate regulations.
- Legislative Implications: Zeldin's proposal has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, signaling potential deregulation efforts.
- Notable Quote:
  Jane Coston (no timestamp): "It's hard to imagine common sense leading to the conclusion that actually greenhouse gases are truly no biggie and regulating them is for chumps who hate freedom."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Jane Coston (00:02): "Obama is at the center of a massive conspiracy centered on Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election."
Donald Trump (17:34): "These files were made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were made up by Biden."
David Frum (03:57): "Trump is using the one scandal that we know about from 2016 to sort of protect himself from the other scandal that we're just remembering in plain sight in 2025."
David Frum (05:55): "When he threatens to use the power of the state against political opponents, you should take that seriously."
David Frum (07:08): "The whole government of the United States is spinning in these crazy directions... putting guns up the noses of gardeners and roofers."
Kristi Noem (no timestamp): "He’s standing trial now and I hope he faces consequences for his crimes and that that will be something that we will be able to deliver for the people that have been victimized by him and his actions over the years."

Conclusion

This episode of What A Day presents a comprehensive analysis of the current political maneuvers by Donald Trump targeting Barack Obama amidst controversies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. Through expert insights from David Frum, the discussion highlights the potential dangers of deepening political conspiracies and the erosion of democratic norms. Additionally, the episode touches upon significant legal and environmental policy developments, painting a vivid picture of the multifaceted challenges facing the United States in 2025.

For those interested in understanding the intricacies of today's political climate and the strategies employed by influential figures, this episode offers valuable perspectives and in-depth reporting.