Trump loses Epstein vote as files will be released, GOP terrified

The David Pakman Show - November 19, 2025

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The House of Representatives voted 427–1 to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, with only Republican Clay Higgins opposing it, and the Senate quickly approved it by unanimous consent. Higgins argued that releasing the files would violate criminal justice norms and expose innocent people. Despite his objections, both chambers overwhelmingly advanced the bill, setting up final approval and raising questions about what the disclosures will reveal and how meaningful they will be.

Even with these votes, the Epstein files release is far from complete. Republicans only supported the measure under intense political pressure and are likely preparing ways to control what gets out. Tactics could include releasing “safe” portions, cherry-picking documents to shift blame, heavily redacting material connected to Trump or GOP donors, or using procedural delays.

While Congress prepared the bill, Trump staged a lavish White House welcome for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, widely condemned for human rights abuses and ordering journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination. Trump praised him, greeted him warmly, and even arranged a military flyover, while conservative media treated it as normal.

In the Oval Office, Trump repeatedly attacked reporters questioning him about the Epstein files and Khashoggi. He personally insulted journalists, deflected with false claims about Democrats, and downplayed the Crown Prince’s role despite U.S. intelligence findings. Trump defended MBS and dismissed accountability, while MBS offered a hollow explanation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans were put in a bind by Trump’s sudden reversal on releasing the Epstein files. After months of opposing transparency alongside Trump, Johnson insisted his vote was “not a reversal,” despite obvious political whiplash.

Trump also suffered a major legal setback in Texas, where a federal court struck down the state’s new congressional map as unconstitutional race-based gerrymandering. The ruling forced Texas to revert to its 2021 map, undermining Republicans’ plan to add five safe seats for 2026. The contrast with California, which handled redistricting transparently via voter approval.

Trump faces growing dissent from farmers and ranchers, including deep-red South Dakota supporters. Trade wars, market instability, bailouts, and proposed beef imports from Argentina have angered this base, which sees collapsing prices and corporate favoritism undermining their livelihoods. These voters now recognize that Trump’s “America First” rhetoric prioritized donors, billionaires, and foreign leaders over them, signaling a serious warning for Republicans heading into 2026.

Finally, Arick Fudali, civil rights attorney who currently represents 11 Epstein survivors, joins us to discuss the potential release of the Epstein files.

On today’s bonus show:

Democrats have their biggest polling advantage in eight years, a federal judge blocks Texas from using its new gerrymandered congressional map, Larry Summers resigns from the OpenAI board over Epstein ties, and much more...

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