Why Epstein Is Trump’s Defining Crime: Rothkopf | The Daily Beast Podcast

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 Click here to become an official member of the Daily Beast's YouTube community: https://youtube.com/@TheDailyBeast/join Have a question or comment for us? Send us an email: [email protected] The Daily Beast is committed to accurate, fair, independent, fast, and accountable journalism. We seek the truth and report it honestly, without fear or favor. We ground robust and provocative opinions in fact. Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheDailyBeast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedailybeast Share this video on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thedailybeast.bsky.social Share this video on X: https://twitter.com/thedailybeast Share this video on Facebook: https://facebook.com/thedailybeast