Why the Epstein Story Won’t Go Away

Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon and Phil Wegmann discuss the latest on the Epstein files, including the WSJ's new story and Trump's threat to sue them. They also talk about the story of the new 'Maryland Man', a VOA employee who threatened to kill Marjorie Taylor Green and her family. Plus, the cancelling of Stephen Colbert and The Late Show, as well as the "You Can't Be Serious" stories of the week. Next, Carl Cannon talks to RCP contributor Peter Berkowitz about the Declaration of Independence. And finally, Andrew Walworth talks to economic historian Phillip W. Magness about his new book, The 1619 Project Myth, which refutes many of the claims of the controversial New York Times project.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the latest on the Epstein files, and why Democrats and the mainstream media have joined MAGA in asking for answers. They also talk about the Senate vote to rescind federal funding for public broadcasting, and a new poll asks Americans whether they feel that the Trump administration’s policies have helped or hurt them so far. Next, Tom Bevan talks to RCP contributor Richard Porter about a memo obtained by The Federalist, from federal judge James Boasberg to Chief Justice John Roberts and other judges worrying “that the Administration would disregard rulings of federal courts leading to a constitutional crisis". And finally, Carl Cannon talks to RCP contributor Eric Spitz about the “Big Beautiful Bill” and what it means for future legislators’ ability to reduce the national debt.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss who is up and who is down according to just-released second quarter campaign finance reports submitted to the Federal Elections Committee. And, they talk about New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mandami visiting DC today for a closed door breakfast with AOC and meetings with House and Senate Democratic leaders. Then, they discuss the results of the special primary election in Arizona’s seventh district which Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Raul Grijalva, won handily. Plus, Hunter Biden taped a podcast with former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, where he said Democrats “lost the last election because we did not remain loyal to the leader of the party”. Next, Carl Cannon talks with RealClear Pennsylvania editor Charles McElwee about why both Vice President Vance and President Trump have visited Pennsylvania this week. And finally, RCP Contributor Maggie Miller talks with RealClear Investigations writer Paul Sperry about his recent article on what newly declassified CIA documents reveal about the Steele Dossier, which played a critical role in the US intelligence community’s report on whether Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that he will run as an independent candidate in November’s mayor’s race. And, they talk about the Supreme Court releasing an unsigned decision that allows the Trump administration to lay off 1,400 employees at the Department of Education, paving the way for a significant reduction in the agency. Then, they discuss Alan Dershowitz's recent statements on the government’s treatment of the Jeffrey Epstein files, and California governor Gavin Newsom sitting down with conservative podcaster Shawn Ryan. Next, Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon talk with RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann about Trump’s decision to provide weapons to Ukraine, and how this policy compares to that of Joe Biden. And lastly, Tom Bevan talks to Karrin Taylor Robson, who is locked in a fight with Rep. Andy Biggs for the 2026 GOP nomination for governor of Arizona.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the political and cultural impact of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, one year ago. They also talk about President Biden’s weekend social media post that “nobody cares” about Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, a New York Times article on President Biden’s use of the autopen to grant thousands of pardons and commutations at the end of his term raises more questions than it answers. Next, Carl Cannon talks with John Hood, president of the John William Pope Foundation and co-leader of the Freedom Conservative project about his recent RCP piece on how conservatives should view the passage of Trump’s budget bill. And finally, RCP contributor Charlie Stone talks to Dr. Marshall Shepherd, meteorologist and director of the University of Georgia's Atmospheric Science Program, about the recent floods in Central Texas and what can be done in the future to avoid loss of life.

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and Emily Jashinsky, host of the new podcast “After Party,” discuss whether recent Trump decisions on immigration and the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files will hurt his base supporters. They also talk about Elon Musk and problems this week with his AI platform Grok, which posted anti-Semitic comments. Will artificial intelligence emerge as a political issue in 2026 and beyond? Plus, they have the “You Cannot Be Serious” stories for the week. Next, Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon talk with presidential historian Tevi Troy about the connection between U.S. presidents and Iran, and whether the two countries can ever restore normal relations. And then, Maggie Miller talks with Realclear Investigations writer Ben Weingarten about his recent article on how the Trump Administration wants to change who is included in the U.S. census, and why leaving illegal aliens out of the count could alter the balance of power in the House and affect who wins the presidency.

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and National Review contributor Heather Wilhelm discuss whether President Trump should receive The Nobel Peace Prize, and the politics behind the selection process. The they discuss former White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor’s surprise decision to assert his Fifth Amendment rights to avoid self-incrimination during an interview with House lawmakers and California Governor Gavin Newsom's tour of South Carolina. Then Andrew Walworth and Carl Cannon talk with Miranda Devine, New York Post columnist and host of the podcast “Pod Force One,” about her recent exclusive interview with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Then they speak with RCP National Correspondent Susan Crabtree about the news that the Secret Service has suspended agents involved in the assassination attempt against Donald Trump last year in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Andrew Walworth, Carl Cannon and RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann discuss whether President Trump will sign on to new sanctions against Russia, and a just released audio recording of Trump at a 2024 fundraiser shows the president informing donors that he once told Vladimir Putin he’d bomb Moscow if Russia invaded Ukraine. They also talk about CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s decision to refer former CIA director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey for criminal investigation. Plus, new polls suggest that the President’s budget bill is unpopular with voters and may impact Republicans in the 2026 midterms. Then, Carl talks with Nancy Jacobson, founder and CEO of No Labels and Ryan Clancy, chief strategist for No Labels about the organization’s efforts to launch a third party, and about Elon Musk’s current attempt. And finally, Andrew talks to Michael O’Neill, vice president of legal affairs at the Landmark Legal Foundation, about federal judges continuing their efforts to block Trump policies, despite a recent Supreme Court decision designed to limit their power to do so.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the reaction to today’s cabinet meeting statement by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Jeffrey Epstein. Also, Elon Musk and former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang have met to discuss the future of Musk’s “America Party”. They also talk about the CIA’s report on the work done by intelligence agencies in their investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Plus, a Massachusetts judge has put a two-week hold on barring Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, which is called for in the new budget bill just passed by Congress. Next, Tom talks to RCP contributor Charles Lipson, Peter B. Ritzma Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, about the enduring appeal of socialism to university students and the influence of a radicalized professoriate. And then, Andrew talks to RealClear Markets editor John Tamny about his recent piece on the fight between the Trump Administration and The FED over interest rates cuts.

Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan and Carl Cannon discuss the politicization of the recent tragic flooding in Central Texas, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with President Trump at the White House. They also talk about a Sunday New York Times piece on how the Democratic Party is evaluating its policies on immigration, and they look at a new article by RCP White House correspondent Phil Wegmann on how Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center has resulted in more funding for the arts organization. Next, Carl talks to RCP contributor Greg Orman about Elon Musk’s announcement that he was starting “The American Party,” and whether a third-party campaign can win in America today. And finally, Tom talks to Greg Swanson, Chairman of Republican Overseas UK, about remembering the July 7, 2005 coordinated attacks by radical Islamists that killed 52 people and injured 800 more in the UK.