Epstein files explode over Trump as Republicans rebel

The David Pakman Show - November 13, 2025

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Donald Trump is facing the largest Republican rebellion of his presidency, triggered by newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents. The files allege that Trump knew about Epstein’s trafficking of underage girls and include claims that Epstein described Trump as having early dementia. Over 100 House Republicans are expected to side with Democrats to release all classified Epstein documents, seeing the release as inevitable.

CNN’s Dana Bash reported that the White House held an emergency meeting as aides scrambled to contain the fallout. Newly released emails mention Trump repeatedly, prompting Republican unrest over whether to release all classified files. The meeting included senior Justice Department officials, the FBI director, and Republican Representative Lauren Boebert, whom the White House tried to persuade to reverse her support.

Trump reacted angrily on Truth Social, labeling the emails a “Jeffrey Epstein hoax” and criticizing Republicans supporting their release as “very bad or stupid.” His posts sought to rally loyalists while shifting blame to Democrats for the government shutdown.

The emails themselves are highly damaging. Epstein offered photos of Trump with young women in bikinis and referenced a “Hawaiian Tropic girl” he later “gave” to Trump. Other messages describe Trump nearly walking into a glass door at Epstein’s pool while watching young women swim, and Epstein wrote that Trump was “the worst” person he ever met. One email even shows Trump spent Thanksgiving 2017 with Epstein, long after claiming to cut ties.

Trump held an Oval Office ceremony to reopen the government but avoided questions about Epstein. He focused on economic claims, overstating investments and low gasoline prices, and pitched a nonfunctional health care plan giving individuals money to buy coverage without leverage. Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, called for ending the filibuster, and touted a misleadingly cheaper Walmart Thanksgiving.

Karoline Leavitt faced a chaotic press briefing, claiming Democrats had “damaged the statistical system” to explain withholding October economic data. When asked about releasing the full Epstein files, she insisted the administration had been “the most transparent ever,” despite evidence of attempts to pressure Rep. Lauren Boebert not to sign a petition. She also gave evasive answers on a 50-year mortgage plan and defended the White House’s court fight over SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

Leavitt was repeatedly asked about why Trump had an MRI. She cited a 33-day-old memo stating the imaging was part of a routine physical and that Trump remains in “exceptional health,” without explaining which part of the body was scanned, why it was necessary, or what the results were.

Finally, Dr. Zachary Rubin, allergist and public health expert, joins us on Substack Live to discuss MAHA initiatives, healthcare access, research funding cuts, and much more...

On today’s bonus show:

Google sues text message scammers, transgender military veterans sue after being denied retirement benefits, a TikToker exposes churches that refuse to help feed hungry babies, and much more...

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