WSJ What’s News — AM Edition

Episode: Trump Reverses Course to Back Release of Epstein Files
Date: November 17, 2025
Host: Caitlin McCabe

Overview

This episode of WSJ’s What’s News unpacks a major political shift as President Trump unexpectedly supports a House vote to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The show also covers a tense immigration crackdown in North Carolina, a US military buildup near Venezuela, a rightward shift in Chilean politics, record-breaking investments by South Korean firms, and a spate of high-profile museum robberies in France.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Backs Release of Epstein Files

Segment Start: [01:01]

• Breaking News: Trump reverses his opposition and supports a House Republican measure to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • On social media, Trump states:

    “We have nothing to hide and it’s time to move on from this Democratic hoax.” — Trump, [01:13]

• Previously, Trump tried to persuade Republicans to block the release, dismissing the initiative as a “waste of people’s time” and chastising “some of the dumber Republicans” for supporting it.
• Political Stakes:
  • House Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) emerges as a vocal supporter of releasing the files.
  • Massie predicts up to 100 GOP votes for the measure and hopes for a two-thirds supermajority to override a potential veto.
  • He appeals to colleagues’ long-term political interests:

    “Donald Trump can protect you in red districts… but in 2030, he’s not going to be the president and you will have voted to protect pedophiles if you don’t vote to release these files, and the president can’t protect you, then… this vote… will last longer than Donald Trump’s presidency.” — Rep. Thomas Massie, [02:17]

• Legislative Process:
  • The House vote could force the Justice Department to turn over Epstein-related files this week.
  • There is uncertainty about Senate support; the measure could still fail there (Scott Patterson, WSJ Washington Reporter, [02:59]).
  • If successful, it would go to Trump for signature, creating a direct political test of his recent reversal.

2. Immigration Crackdown in North Carolina

Segment Start: [03:18]

• Over the weekend, federal authorities detained 81 people in Charlotte in one day alone.
  • US Border Patrol commander Gregory Bevino claims many had “a significant criminal and immigration history.”
• Community Response:
  • Protests erupted, with Mayor Vi Lyles warning the crackdown is “causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community.”
  • Local resident Carlos Magana describes the mood:

    “I’ve been in contact with people… who say that they’re not going out, they’re having their kids who are citizens go and pick up their clothes and food. It’s terrifying…” — Carlos Magana, [04:09]

• Beaver has led similar crackdowns in LA and Chicago as Trump steps up enforcement in Democratic cities.

3. US Military Posturing & Venezuela

Segment Start: [06:02]

• President Trump suggests openness to talks with President Maduro of Venezuela, even as the US bolsters its regional military presence.
  • The administration insists buildup is aimed at drug trafficking, not regime change.
  • Military Movements:
    • USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, enters the Caribbean with 4,000 sailors and F-18 fighters.
    • Ongoing strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific have killed dozens.
• Commentary:
  • “Even before the Ford’s arrival, the US had deployed some of its most advanced weapons and elite units to the Caribbean… [Trump] has publicly discussed striking targets on land, but has also said that he isn’t considering ordering attacks on Venezuela.” — Shelby Holiday, WSJ correspondent, [06:41]

4. Rightward Shift in Chilean Elections

Segment Start: [07:21]

• In Chile’s first round of presidential elections, four right-wing candidates dominate; an “ultra conservative” and a Communist Party candidate proceed to a runoff.
• The likely winner, Jose Antonio Cast, is portrayed as an ally of Trump and the election reflects a broader Latin American swing toward conservatism.
  • “Hara is expected to lose to Cast, who is considered a Trump ally.” — Host, [07:43]
• Conservatives also predicted to do well in 2026 votes in Peru and Colombia.

5. Major South Korean Tech Investments

Segment Start: [08:22]

• South Korea’s biggest companies announce local investments totaling over $440 billion as part of trade diplomacy with the US.
  • Samsung: $300+ billion
  • Hyundai: $80 billion
  • LG: $60 billion
• Strategic Goals:
  • Invest in AI, semiconductors, EVs, and to counter fears of “resource drift” to US projects.
  • The US and South Korea recently inked a trade deal with $350B in US investments.
• Government Perspective:
  • “One of the realities of South Korea’s economy is… while it can be thriving, it might not feel that way on the ground because of how export dependent the country’s economy is.” — Tim Martin, Korea Bureau Chief, [09:05]
  • South Korea pledges $10 billion in support, especially for autos and SMEs.

6. Spate of Art Thefts in France

Segment Start: [09:48]

• A series of nine museum robberies in the past year culminates with last month’s Louvre heist, drawing attention to weak security at historic venues.
  • “Many [museums] are housed in historic buildings... The Louvre obviously, being a perfect example. It has tons of windows, balconies, access points... there aren’t a lot of barriers...” — Stacey Mietri, Paris Bureau Chief, [10:38]
• Thefts Motivated by Gold/“Melt Value”:
  • “What they’re looking for… are works with… melt value… works made of gold.” — Stacey Mietri, [11:42]
  • Most stolen objects are not recovered.
  • Recalls a Natural History Museum incident where a thief “made off with… historic gold nuggets” and was caught melting them down in Spain.
• President Macron’s government is responding by taking inventory and planning reinforcements, but museums across France and Europe remain vulnerable.

Notable Quotes

• Trump:

  “We have nothing to hide and it’s time to move on from this Democratic hoax.” ([01:13])

• Rep. Thomas Massie:

  “Donald Trump can protect you in red districts right now… but in 2030, he’s not going to be the president and you will have voted to protect pedophiles… The record of this vote will last longer than Donald Trump’s presidency.” ([02:17])

• Carlos Magana:

  “It’s terrifying to pretty much know that at any moment a federal agent can just come out and abuse you just because of the way you look.” ([04:09])

• Stacey Mietri:

  “When we started looking at other museums across France, the operations there were even more basic… we came across one museum that got hit twice in a 48-hour period by two different groups.” ([10:38])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:01 – Trump supports releasing Epstein files; political implications
• 02:17 – Rep. Massie’s warning to Republicans
• 02:59 – Legislative outlook and process explained
• 03:18 – Immigration raids in North Carolina
• 04:09 – Local testimony on fear in immigrant communities
• 06:02 – US signals on Venezuela and military buildup
• 06:41 – Naval deployments and strategic ambiguity
• 07:21 – Chile’s shift to right-wing politics
• 08:22 – South Korean tech mega-investments
• 09:48 – Aftermath of Louvre and other French art thefts, gold-melt crime trends

Summary

This episode delivers a crisp yet thorough snapshot of a rapidly shifting political landscape: Trump’s pivot on highly sensitive Epstein files triggers a party-wide test of loyalty, local immigrant communities in Charlotte face fear amid federal crackdowns, great power signals swirl near Venezuela, conservative politics surge in Chile, South Korean industry responds to global trade pressure, and French museums scramble to protect treasures from brazen thieves. The reporting weaves in expert voices and memorable comments, capturing the pulse of consequential news for global markets and politics.