The MAGA Machine Can't Save Trump From Epstein (w/ David Frum) | The Bulwark Podcast
Trump's Shifting Defenses, Political Retribution, and the Roots of Hate
Analyze how Trump’s uncharacteristic guilt over Epstein exposes internal fractures, contrast this with systematic political retribution being deployed by allies, and explore the deep paranoia fueling modern antisemitism debates.
Short Summary
- Trump broke his standard non-apology pattern by obsessing over the Epstein story, signaling genuine vulnerability or crisis mismanagement.
- Allies are engaging in unprecedented government cleanup, using state power (DOJ/Fannie Mae) for personal settlements and political payback.
- Speakers differentiate between contempt-based hate and paranoia-based antisemitism, discussing its corrosive role across the political spectrum.
- The discussion covered the futility of interdicting supply (like drug boats) versus addressing consumer demand, citing the Venezuela refugee crisis as a policy failure example.
This conversation details the political fallout surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, particularly candidate Trump’s reaction. Hosts Tim Miller and David Frum dissect Trump’s unusual behavior—acting shamefaced—which suggests the issue is severe. They pivot to discussing systemic corruption, evidenced by reports of taxpayers potentially settling multi-million dollar lawsuits for Trump appointees like Michael Flynn. Furthermore, Frum offers a deep analysis of antisemitism as a form of paranoia, noting how it contaminates political discourse across the spectrum, especially when tied to foreign policy crises like Venezuela.
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Top Comments (10)
Megyn Kelly is disgusting beyond words.... I was 7 when I was raped. It would not have mattered if I were 17, or 27...I am 71 today. It is still horrific. 🤬
I want Nuremberg trials for this administration.
David Frum is flat-out wrong on his takes re: Zohran and Israel. It is not antisemitic to call a genocide a genocide, and there is no need to "make amends" with Bibi/Israel as a nation state until they too clean house.
First & foremost "Children Can not Give Consent"" let that sink in! That's the bottom line reality!!
I can't see JD Vance without hearing the South Park version.
He is the mayor of NY - not doing international relations for the USA. Could we lay off the anti-Zohran rhetoric? I am exhausted by the useless pearl-clutching.
He looks guilty because he IS guilty
Thank you Tim for the pushback against the proposition that anti-Israel policies as executed now = antisemitism. There are more than a few people who can separate these.
There's the GOP's theme for the midterms: "He wasn't into...like, eight year olds".
Every single one of them needs accountability. No one should get a pass
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Top Comments (10)
Megyn Kelly is disgusting beyond words.... I was 7 when I was raped. It would not have mattered if I were 17, or 27...I am 71 today. It is still horrific. 🤬
I want Nuremberg trials for this administration.
David Frum is flat-out wrong on his takes re: Zohran and Israel. It is not antisemitic to call a genocide a genocide, and there is no need to "make amends" with Bibi/Israel as a nation state until they too clean house.
First & foremost "Children Can not Give Consent"" let that sink in! That's the bottom line reality!!
I can't see JD Vance without hearing the South Park version.
He is the mayor of NY - not doing international relations for the USA. Could we lay off the anti-Zohran rhetoric? I am exhausted by the useless pearl-clutching.
He looks guilty because he IS guilty
Thank you Tim for the pushback against the proposition that anti-Israel policies as executed now = antisemitism. There are more than a few people who can separate these.
There's the GOP's theme for the midterms: "He wasn't into...like, eight year olds".
Every single one of them needs accountability. No one should get a pass