David Rothkopf joins Joanna Coles to argue that the Epstein scandal is Donald Trump’s defining crisis, connecting global power, income inequality, corruption, and impunity. Rothkopf, The Daily Beast’s unmissable columnist and Founder of the DSR Network, explains how Epstein ensnared a network of elites like Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Peter Mandelson, and Wall Street titans, while raising deeper questions about obstruction, missing evidence, and intelligence entanglements. They also discuss how key players actively covered up wrongdoing to protect themselves and their allies, showing a world where privilege shields crime and the full truth may never see the light of day.
00:00 - Why the Epstein Files Could Reshape American Politics
05:05 - Clinton, Trump, and the Politics of Deflection
10:00 - Deaths, Silence, and the Fear Around Epstein’s Inner Circle
15:00 - Russia, Intelligence Agencies, and the Epstein Honey Trap
20:05 - Kompromat, Power, and How Elites Get Compromised
25:00 - Prince Andrew, Global Elites, and Trading Access for Influence
30:00 - Trump’s “Signature Scandal” and the Culture of Impunity
35:05 - Media, Misinformation, and Obstruction of Justice
40:00 - What the Epstein Case Reveals About Corruption in America
45:05 - Why This Scandal Still Matters and What Comes Next
#trump #news #podcast
📖 Title: Why Epstein Is Trump’s Defining Crime: Rothkopf
👂 Podcast: The Daily Beast Podcast
📺 Episode: 658
🎧 Format: Full Podcast
📅 Date: March 1, 2026
👨💼 Guest: David Rothkopf
🎙️ Host: Joanna Coles
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