Trump’s Epstein admission rocks MAGA, trade deal reality sets in
The David Pakman Show - July 30, 2025
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Donald Trump has given conflicting accounts about his fallout with Jeffrey Epstein, raising new questions about what he knew. At first, Trump claimed Epstein was simply no longer his “cup of tea.” More recently, however, he stated Epstein was “taking young girls” from Mar-a-Lago—an explosive allegation that suggests awareness of criminal behavior. This new claim contradicts his previous explanation and adds fuel to long-standing concerns about their relationship.
Now, Ghislaine Maxwell—Epstein’s convicted associate—says she’s willing to testify before Congress if Trump grants her clemency. Legal experts warn that any such deal could amount to obstructing justice, especially if her testimony protects Trump or others in his circle. It also raises the possibility of the president using the pardon power to shield allies from consequences.
Trump also continues to exaggerate how the trade war is going for the United States. He claimed to have struck major trade deals with Vietnam and the UK, but both countries denied those deals ever happened. These boasts may energize his base, but they collapse under scrutiny.
On a flight to the G20 summit, Trump berated reporters, denied making profane statements caught on tape, and threatened to skip the summit altogether. He labeled respected outlets “fake news” and accused journalists of working for the Democrats.
On social media, Trump has lashed out at late-night comedians like Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel, demanding they be fired for mocking him. While past presidents have taken criticism in stride, Trump’s desire to silence his critics suggests an authoritarian mindset and thin skin.
Trump’s also turning on Republicans who won’t bend. Senator Chuck Grassley drew his anger for maintaining the Senate’s blue slip rule, which gives senators input on judicial picks. Trump demanded the rule be scrapped so he could fast-track appointments, signaling once again that loyalty matters to him more than the rule of law.
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On today’s bonus show:
The FBI reportedly has the full Epstein prison tape, raising new questions about the missing minutes and Trump’s shifting explanations, Senator Josh Hawley’s “PELOSI Act” would ban stock trading by elected officials, including in the executive branch. And American Eagle’s “great jeans” ad with Sydney Sweeney sparked backlash over perceived eugenic undertones.
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Every day that Trump is still in the White House blows my mind. I say that time keeps on slipping into the future. A future that looks doomed. A future that NO ONE is promised. Hell, a future that will only benefit the rich, the bigots, the racist, the misogynists, the liars, the cheaters and the most hypocritical people in this country. Time is slipping… it’s running out… people need to wake up and stop the madness.
Man… everybody’s stuck on the Epstein “admission,” like that’s the big twist. Naw. That ain’t the twist. That’s the setup. The real trick is what’s happening in plain sight…the rebrand.
Trump didn’t deny Epstein was doing foul stuff. He downgraded it to “stealing staff.” Like Epstein was running LinkedIn outta Rikers. You hear that? Staff poaching. Not sex trafficking. Not child abuse. “He was taking my employees.”
That’s billionaire whitewashing in real-time. The same folks who buy media companies and slap a Black woman on the board for diversity optics are now laundering predators like they’re bad stock trades.
Meanwhile, Ghislaine is out here floatin’ offers to Congress like she’s got her own loyalty rewards program….“I’ll testify if you give me clemency and maybe a spa day.”
And here’s the part nobody wants to say out loud:
Somebody is gonna take that deal.
Because these folks ain’t scared of prison. They’re scared of each other. Scared of what happens if the wrong name comes out of the wrong mouth at the wrong time.
But while everyone’s caught up in the circus, legacy media is playing cleanup crew. I just did a breakdown on how WaPo softened its own tone the second the wrong billionaires started getting mentioned. From the headline photo choices to the suspiciously “balanced” framing….the fix is in. And it ain’t just one outlet. You’re watching editorial capture in real-time.
Look, I ain’t saying I got all the answers. But if you’ve been feeling like the truth is being told sideways, like something’s off, even when they give you the “facts” you’re not crazy.