Americanswers… On 5 Live! Do the new Epstein files "absolve" Trump?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 2 February 2026
⏱️ 32 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The Department of Justice has said that their review process into files related to Jeffrey Epstein is over, after a new tranche was released on Friday. Donald Trump says the lack of evidence in this batch absolves him of any guilt, while survivors and Democrats say there are still unanswered questions and unseen documents.
Justin, Sarah, Marianna and Anthony discuss where this leaves the president and his MAGA base. Also, what does it mean for Epstein's victims, particularly as many victims’ names have been published by the US DoJ for the first time without permission.
We also answer your questions on celebrities calling out the actions of ICE agents in Minneapolis at the Grammys as Trump threatens to sue its host Trevor Noah. Plus, why quilters on social media might have more to do with those ongoing protests than meets the eye.
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent
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This episode was made by Rufus Gray and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:05.6 | All right, then where are we now with the Epstein files? |
| 0:08.3 | We've had the latest trance released on Friday a huge amount of documentation. |
| 0:13.3 | Donald Trump says he is absolved by it. |
| 0:15.8 | The Department of Justice say it is the end of their review process, survivors there of |
| 0:20.8 | Epstein's abuse, and many Democrats are not satisfied. |
| 0:24.3 | They say millions of these documents may still be withheld, and that questions, possibly questions about the President himself, have not been properly answered. |
| 0:33.2 | So, Sarah, Anthony, Marianna, and I joined Matt Chorley to answer your questions. |
| 0:37.8 | I should say we also talked about other things as well, |
| 0:40.2 | including Donald Trump threatening legal action after last night's Grammys, |
| 0:44.4 | with celebrities speaking out against him and against immigration enforcement. |
| 0:49.0 | Also, quilters on social media. |
| 0:51.9 | What influence do they have? |
| 0:53.9 | All will be explained. |
| 0:55.2 | Welcome to America Answers on Five Live. |
| 1:00.3 | Ameriast. |
| 1:01.2 | AmeriCast from BBC News. |
| 1:03.4 | When Donald Trump calls, they say, yes, sir. |
| 1:05.8 | Right away, sir. |
| 1:06.9 | Happy to lick your boot, sir. |
| 1:08.7 | We are the sickest country in the world. |
| 1:11.2 | Oh, dear. |
... |
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