Here & Now Anytime How Epstein files have ‘ripped MAGA apart’
Nov 19, 2025
Will Sommer, a Senior reporter at The Bulwark, analyzes the turmoil within the GOP as Trump supports legislation to release Epstein files, highlighting fractures in MAGA loyalty. Liz Stein, a survivor of Epstein's abuse and anti-trafficking advocate, shares her emotional response to the bill's passage. She stresses the importance of prioritizing victims in the political fray and explains the dynamics of trafficking. Both guests explore the potential for accountability and what true justice means for survivors.
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Trump's Grip Has Visible Cracks
- Will Sommer says Trump's influence in the GOP is strong but showing signs of strain as lawmakers push back on the Epstein files.
- The episode frames the bill's passage as a moment where Republicans tested Trump's dominance and sometimes resisted him.
GOP Members Preparing For Post‑Trump Era
- Sommer notes rank-and-file Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene openly defied Trump to force the files' release.
- He suggests some GOP figures are preparing for a post-Trump future by occasionally bucking the president.
Base Frustration Over Epstein Persists
- Sommer reports Trump's base cares about the Epstein files and is frustrated by perceived inaction or cover-ups.
- He warns that this frustration is a serious issue because prominent conservatives amplify it.