Bulwark Takes Trump’s Epstein Scandal Won’t Go Away
Jul 15, 2025
Bill Kristol, a renowned political commentator and Professor Emeritus, joins Sam Stein to dissect the ongoing ramifications of the Epstein scandal on Donald Trump. They delve into the restless sentiments within the MAGA base and how conspiracy theories continue to shape the political narrative. The conversation highlights Democrats' challenges in leveraging the Epstein connection while navigating a complex landscape of accountability and public opinion surrounding political scandals.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Epstein Scandal's Impact on Trump
- The Epstein scandal is a bigger and more difficult problem for Trump than many expected.
- It has caused notable unrest even within Trump's MAGA base, though he likely can regain control.
Handling Conspiracy Theories
- Conspiracy theories can't be debunked by simple denial, as believers don't trust official narratives.
- Political actors often have to craft new stories or distractions to redirect attention.
Birtherism Distracted Policy Focus
- Obama White House struggled with birtherism distracting mainstream political issues like budget talks.
- Release of birth certificate proved ineffective as Trump kept escalating demands and skepticism.