Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast Mehdi Hasan & Vanessa Williamson
Nov 19, 2025
Join journalist Mehdi Hasan, known for his incisive political commentary, as he dissects Trump’s maneuvers to suppress the Epstein files, revealing intricate political dynamics. Alongside him is Vanessa Williamson, a senior fellow at Brookings, who challenges conventional views on taxation. She reinterprets the Boston Tea Party and advocates for progressive taxation as a tool for empowering democracy. The conversation dives into how tariffs can undermine democratic structures and ultimately reshape American governance.
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Trump's Resilience Is Underestimated
- Donald Trump remains politically resilient and should not be written off despite setbacks and infighting within MAGA.
- Mehdi Hasan warns that Trump has durable power and loyal followers, so threats to democracy persist.
Sequence Around Epstein Felt Unbelievable
- Mehdi Hasan recounts odd timing around Epstein's arrest and death that fuels conspiracy thinking.
- He says the sequence feels like a Netflix plot and has pushed skeptics toward conspiratorial conclusions.
House Vote Is Largely Performative
- The Epstein files are controlled by the DOJ and Trump could order their release at will, making the House vote partly performative.
- Hasan notes Trump's attempt to use the vote to cover political weaknesses and manage party defections.
