Trump burying the Epstein files with pathetic redactions
The David Pakman Show - December 22, 2025
Already a website member? Watch the show commercial-free here | Want to become a member? Sign up here
The Trump administration has over‑redacted, withheld, and even quietly removed legally mandated Jeffrey Epstein documents, despite a transparency law requiring their release with limited redactions. At the same time, the White House has pushed misleading narratives to shift attention onto Democrats, creating distractions instead of demonstrating the accountability they promised.
More than a dozen Epstein-related files briefly vanished from the Justice Department’s website just hours after their release, including a photo of Donald Trump with Epstein, Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell. One image was later reinstated, but explanations for its removal and return were contradictory and failed basic legal standards.
Congress is threatening Attorney General Pam Bondi with contempt proceedings, including possible fines or jail, over her failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Hundreds of pages were heavily redacted, and at least 16 files vanished or were partially reinstated.
Turning Point USA’s first AmFest after Charlie Kirk’s assassination was chaotic. JD Vance made racially charged remarks while promoting conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, in right-wing media, Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Megyn Kelly have been publicly attacking one another, highlighting deep divisions within the movement.
Donald Trump Jr. tried to redirect the anger toward the left, but Trump himself skipped the event, so Don Jr. had to bring him in via speakerphone. MAGA appears deeply fractured, creating a potential opportunity for the left if it can capitalize on the chaos.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump appeared diminished at a sparsely attended rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He struggled to speak, lacked energy, and faced a disengaged crowd. Despite this, he repeatedly bragged about “acing” cognitive tests and claimed perfect health, even suggesting people would notice when he was no longer at full capacity.
CBS’s 60 Minutes pulled a fully vetted investigative segment exposing the Trump administration’s deportation of migrants to a notorious El Salvador prison just hours before airing. The story had cleared legal and editorial review and had been publicly promoted. Sources say the segment was killed not due to errors or new facts but after reaching CBS News chief Bari Weiss, who demanded an on-the-record response from the administration.
Top economic adviser Kevin Hassett admitted that if Trump’s tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court, refunds would go to whoever “cut the check,” meaning U.S. importers, not foreign countries. This contradicts years of claims that China or other nations pay the tariffs.
Finally, Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State, joins us to discuss her campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor.
On today’s bonus show:
Trump appoints an envoy to Greenland who wants the US to acquire the island, Elise Stefanik ends her campaign for New York governor, Mitt Romney calls for higher taxes on the wealthy, and much more...
Already a website member? Watch the bonus show here | Want to become a member? Sign up here
Thank you always w for your great reporting on trump over the years and still continued reports. Much appreciated David Pakman
The redacted photo on the right shows Trump with a blonde female person. Given his age at the time, is there a probability Pam Bondi is behind the redaction? Things are getting so weird in Trumpland, possibilities seem endless.