The Bulwark Podcast David Frum: This Is Shame-Faced Trump
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Nov 14, 2025 
David Frum, a staff writer at The Atlantic, joins to discuss the shamefaced state of Trump and the GOP amidst the Epstein scandal. They dissect how fringe narratives have amplified this controversy with antisemitic tones. Frum highlights the four types of corruption in Trump’s administration and the implications of recent economic policies. The conversation veers into the complexities of antisemitism, its modern forms, and the challenges of critiquing Israel without crossing into dangerous territory.
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Shame Undermines Trump's Usual Deflections
- Trump is acting shamefaced and guilty about the Epstein matter, unlike his usual brazen admissions of wrongdoing.
- That unusual shame has amplified attention and made attempts to distract or cover up ineffective.
MAGA vs Para‑MAGA Spotlight Problem
- Frum distinguishes MAGA (Trump-centered) from para-MAGA (ideological fringe) that amplified Epstein conspiracies.
- Para-MAGA built a spotlight on Epstein that now imprisons Trump politically when he tries to switch topics.
Address Prices Directly With Voters
- Don't tell voters grocery prices don't matter; economic pain is decisive for many swing voters.
- If you caused the price rises, you can't credibly blame unrelated forces or expect voters to accept it.