As the debate over the Jeffrey Epstein files continues to cause a rift for Republicans, the Trump

administration settles its fight with one elite university.

For analysis of the week's headlines, we turn now to Brooks and K-Part.

That's New York Times columnist David Brooks and Jonathan K. Part, associate editor for The Washington

Post.

Great to see you both as always.

So let's start with this deepening scandal surrounding

the Epstein files and President Trump's ties to it. There have been a number of revelations this past

week. There were the DOJ interviews with Galane Maxwell occurring over two days. What makes this

moment different is that the controversy isn't just coming from outside critics. It's creating

Jonathan visible fractures within the president's own base.

Why does this Epstein episode seem to be breaking through where other personal and political

Donald Trump scandals have not?

Because part of it is a conspiracy theory that the president used to his benefit and to his advantage to, you know,

curry favor, to win supporters. And, you know, they were expecting him. You know, we elect you,

we put you back in the White House. You are going to reveal the cabal of pedophiles, who they all assumed were all Democrats, and you're going

to show this.

And, you know, you put in Cash Patel as FBI director.

You put in Dan Bongino as the number two.

You know, they are the one at Pam Bondi as AG.

They all also fed this conspiracy theory.

They get inside and suddenly find out there's nothing there.

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