The Brian Lehrer Show Thursday Morning Politics: President Trump's Week
Nov 20, 2025
Philip Bump, a journalist and MSNow contributor, dives into the week’s political whirlwind. He discusses Trump's controversial capitulation on the Epstein files vote and the pressures underlying Pam Bondi's investigations. Bump also analyzes the Trump-MBS relationship, questioning the tangible benefits of their interaction. He highlights the erosion of support among Republicans and how kitchen-table inflation issues are impacting Trump’s approval. With intriguing insights, Bump examines the potential fractures within the GOP and the ongoing political reverberations.
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Public Wants Epstein Files For Accountability
- Americans broadly want the Epstein files released as a measure of accountability regardless of expected "juicy" revelations.
- Philip Bump warns distrust of the administration makes any partial release suspect and politically costly.
Investigation Exception Could Block Release
- Pam Bondi opened a new investigation after the House subpoenaed Epstein estate documents, creating an exception to release.
- Bump says that exception can be used to withhold material and undermines trust in the process.
Pressure On GOP Rebels Failed
- Trump pressured allies like Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace to rescind support for releasing Epstein files but failed.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly pushed release while having a bitter relationship with Trump.
