The Daily Beast Podcast

Best-selling author Michael Wolff tells Joanna Coles what he saw inside Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous Manhattan townhouse and his lavish Paris apartment. From bizarre sights including a stuffed tiger and a stuffed baby elephant to a horrific fake corpse in the lobby, this is at home with a monster. On the sideboard, Epstein flaunted his easy access to the rich and powerful with pictures with princes—not just Andrew but Mohamed bin Salman—prime ministers and even a pope. Wolff and Coles unpack new pictures uncovered by the New York Times and Wolff’s own unparalleled access to Epstein’s homes and unravel how and why Epstein escaped attention for too long. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stacey Williams, a Sports Illustrated model who briefly dated Jeffrey Epstein in the early 1990s tells Joanna Coles her story—and her astonishing encounters not just with the pedophile, but through him with Donald Trump. Williams reveals how a much older Epstein made a twisted boast that he had "prized" videos of her naked which she had no idea he had made. And she tells how he took her to Trump's Fifth Avenue office where a "brazen" Trump groped her. Trump's campaign denied her allegation when it was first made. But she tells Coles, "I know there are women who have interacted with them, who haven't come forward, who have anecdotes to share that confirm their behavior and their friendship." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ghislaine Maxwell is moving jails, the President’s wagging the dog and Trump biographer Michael Wolff joins The Daily Beast’s Joanna Coles to explain the ongoing Epstein scandal and why it matters. Also on the table, Laura Loomer’s inexplicable rise to power and her claims she’s now had 16 people fired. With a potential Maxwell pardon in play and Trump’s lawyers blurring the line between personal fixers and public officials, what’s going on inside the MAGA machine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Amy Odell joins host Joanna Coles for a sharp, funny, and deeply revealing conversation about the woman who launched a thousand jade eggs—Gwyneth Paltrow. Odell spent three years interviewing over 220 sources for her new biography 'Gwyneth', in which she’s spills everything: from Goop’s rise and questionable wellness claims to Paltrow’s high-profile love life, accidental class war commentary, and surprisingly savvy business instincts. Is Gwyneth Paltrow the original influencer? What does she really believe? And how did a candle turn her into a meme? Coles and Odell unpack the cultural power—and cringe—of a woman who shaped what it means to be a modern celebrity, whether we like it or not. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Julie K. Brown joins Joanna Coles to unpack the latest twist in the Epstein saga—why Trump’s former personal lawyer, Todd Blanch, now number two at the Justice Department, personally visited Ghislaine Maxwell in prison. What did she tell him, and who is on the rumored list of 100 names possibly connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crime activities? As Epstein’s victims speak out in anger and fear, Brown reveals why Maxwell could now be in danger too—and why the Epstein cover-up still haunts the White House. Coles and Brown also dig into Florida’s ex-AG Pam Bondi, the deleted Elon Musk tweet, and why Epstein may have believed he’d never done anything wrong. With new subpoenas looming and Congress demanding answers, the question remains: what’s in the Epstein files—and who doesn’t want them released?Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Julie K. Brown joins Joanna Coles to unpack the latest twist in the Epstein saga—why Trump’s former personal lawyer, Todd Blanch, now number two at the Justice Department, personally visited Ghislaine Maxwell in prison. What did she tell him, and who is on the rumored list of 100 names possibly connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crime activities? As Epstein’s victims speak out in anger and fear, Brown reveals why Maxwell could now be in danger too—and why the Epstein cover-up still haunts the White House. Coles and Brown also dig into Florida’s ex-AG Pam Bondi, the deleted Elon Musk tweet, and why Epstein may have believed he’d never done anything wrong. With new subpoenas looming and Congress demanding answers, the question remains: what’s in the Epstein files—and who doesn’t want them released? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to reveal the rising panic inside Trump’s inner circle as the Epstein scandal metastasizes. With Ghislaine Maxwell serving 20 years in prison, Wolff outlines how a meeting between her and Trump’s former lawyer—now the No. 2 at the DOJ—Todd Blanche, is raising serious questions about a possible deal. Wolff details Trump’s decade-long friendship with Epstein, the infamous 50th birthday letter, and how they shared a girlfriend who moved between the two men. He describes a White House gripped by fear as “Epstein intelligence” emerges—emails, photos, and files that could expose just how “bad” Trump’s “bad boy years” really were. MAGA world, Wolff warns, may not survive what Maxwell has to say. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigative reporter Tara Palmeri joins Joanna Coles to dig into the twisted saga of Ghislaine Maxwell—her crimes, her secrets, and why the Trump's Justice Department is knocking at her door. As Maxwell serves 20 years in a Florida prison, new signs point to a potential deal with Trump-era officials. Why now—and what does she know? Palmeri shares chilling victim accounts, unsealed evidence Maxwell wants buried, and fresh questions about whether or not she could still reveal long held details to authorities. From Prince Andrew to Alan Dershowitz, the web of powerful men around Maxwell remains tangled. And around MAGA world, a shocking new chant is gaining steam: “Free Ghislaine.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Frum joins Joanna Coles to unpack the jaw-dropping scale of Donald Trump’s presidential profiteering—from the $400 million Qatari plane to his so-called ‘presidential library’ money funnel. Frum, Senior Editor of The Atlantic and host of the new podcast The David Frum Show, explains how Trump turned the presidential office into a personal ATM—and why the Republican party let him. He breaks down why Trump’s grift dwarfs anything in U.S. history, how social media fuels both the scam and the silence, and why the real question isn’t what Trump will do next, but what we’ll tolerate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to unpack Donald Trump’s ever-expanding harem of lookalike aides, surrogates, and “comfort blanket” women inside the presidential bubble. With Melania absent, Trump has surrounded himself with younger clones — from Natalie Harp, the so-called “human printer,” to bikini-clad attorney Alina Habba, to Melania doppelgänger Margo Martin. Wolff, an accomplished Trump biographer who has observed this dynamic firsthand in the West Wing and beyond, explains how Trump’s obsession with appearance, loyalty, and media control manifests in the women around him — many of whom are fighting viciously for his attention. Wolff also reveals how one of these Melania clones controls most of the information that reaches the president and why jurors in Trump’s criminal trial were “creeped out” by his Stepford-like entourage. Wolff explains how Trump’s fixation on TV-ready staff masks a deeper insecurity and clear isolation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Wolff joins Daily Beast Executive Editor Hugh Dougherty to unpack a new Wall Street Journal report that could spell real trouble for Donald Trump: a 2003 birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein alongside a nude sketch. Wolff clarifies Trump's deep and well documented relationship with Jeffrey Epstein—and why MAGA media, led by Bannon and Tucker Carlson, won’t let it go. As Trump scrambles to distract with bizarre stunts and conspiracy bait, even his allies are rattled. This time, Wolff warns, denial might not save him. Wolff, who’s chronicled Trump’s rise in four bestsellers, describes a man entering his “lame duck phase,” besieged by rivals and a serious newly revealed medical condition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tina Brown joins Daily Beast Executive Editor Hugh Dougherty to revisit the scandal she helped break wide open—Jeffrey Epstein—and how it now threatens to fracture MAGA from within. Brown, co-founder of The Daily Beast and former editor of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, reflects on commissioning the explosive 2010 Epstein exposé that first named names like Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Larry Summers. She recalls Epstein’s chilling intimidation tactics—including showing up uninvited to her office—and explains how he leveraged social status, political donations, and kompromat to shield himself for decades. Brown also reveals that Ghislaine Maxwell was more socially visible than Epstein in the 1990s and how her husband exposed Robert Maxwell as a crooked businessman years earlier. As new revelations emerge—including that an FBI source warned Epstein “would never make it to trial”—Brown unpacks why this scandal still haunts Trump, whose bond with Epstein spanned 15 years. She describes how Trump’s recent meltdown on Truth Social, dismissing his base as “weak” and “stupid,” signals a dangerous rupture. And with MAGA obsessed with pedophilia conspiracies, Brown warns: this may be the one scandal Trump can’t shake—because for once, his base might not let him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Wolff joins Daily Beast Executive Editor Hugh Dougherty to unpack the chaos of what may be the first lasting MAGA civil war—and why it centers on Jeffrey Epstein. Wolff, who's authored 4 biographies on Trump, was present when Steve Bannon met Epstein. Wolff exposes the bizarre triangle between Trump, Bannon, and Epstein, including how Bannon became a key promoter of the very conspiracy he’s entangled in. Wolff describes how MAGA influencers are now caught between defending Trump and pursuing the elite-exposing narrative they helped create. He also reveals that Trump once considered pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell and had known her since the early days of his deep friendship with Epstein. As Trump lashes out on Truth Social and desperately struggles to change the subject, Wolff suggests this scandal might finally stick—or at least rattle him more than most. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Obama White House veteran David Litt joins Joanna Coles to talk about his new book about surviving the age of Trump—and what America's rivals really think about the current president. He explains what is going through Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping's head as they watch Trump from afar and what Trump saw in America that powered him to victory twice. Litt talks about his new book "It's Only Drowning" which he wrote after turning to surfing when the first Trump presidency plunged him into depression. He became hooked on the sport with his Joe Rogan-listening, Trump-voting, brother-in-law, finding a bond with someone he admits he has "nothing in common with." But it led to him realizing what had gone wrong for Democrats and why his party needs to engage with, not retreat from, platforms like Rogan’s. Litt explains how the MAGA coalition’s anti-authority ethos—rooted not just in politics but in personal psychology—has outpaced the left’s ability to tell its story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to unpack the surreal world of Jeffrey Epstein—from the salons of Manhattan’s elite to the shadowy corners of MAGA conspiracy. Wolff, who cultivated Epstein as a source and planned to have breakfast with him the morning after his arrest, reveals the financier’s deep ties to figures like Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, and Bill Gates. He shares the eerie final message Epstein sent Wolff before his death—and challenges both the suicide narrative and the murder theory. Wolff debunks the myth of a “client list,” critiques the DOJ’s recent denial of foul play, and exposes the hypocrisy of right-wing figures like Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, who once demanded answers and now run the very agency saying there’s “nothing to see.” He also examines Epstein’s enigmatic financial empire, his influence over powerful men, and the unspoken role Trump’s inner circle may play in concealing the case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Scaramucci joins Joanna Coles to unpack the official story behind Jeffrey Epstein's death and why Elon Musk has renewed his trolling of Donald Trump. Scaramucci rejects the idea of a "client list" but says Epstein kept kompromat on powerful friends. He points to Epstein's ties to Les Wexner, hints at Trump's entanglement, and suggests the real cover-up is about protecting elite reputations, not uncovering a conspiracy. The Mooch also explains what may come of Elon Musk's America Party, how it may affect the coming elections, and what Musk's fundamental objective is with his new third party. He warns that Musk is not to be underestimated and calls for Elon to respond to the X DMs he has sent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tara Palmeri joins Joanna Coles to unravel the dark machinery behind Jeffrey Epstein’s rise—from math teacher to multimillionaire mogul with ties to the FBI, CIA, and America’s elite. Palmeri, who spent two years investigating Epstein, claims the financier acted as an informant for the feds, traded in secrets, and used kompromat to build both his fortune and his immunity. She debunks the myth of a client “list,” but reports that prosecutors hold photos and video evidence too explosive to release. Ghislaine Maxwell, she believes, may have some further cards to play that are related to her case. Palmeri also shares heartbreaking insights from survivors like Virginia Giuffre, and why the story’s true horror isn’t in the conspiracies—but in how the victims were forgotten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Ian Black celebrates July 4th with Joanna Coles and explains his reluctant transformation into what he jokingly calls “a conservative”—thanks to Donald Trump. The comedian and Daily Beast columnist describes how defending the IRS, foreign aid, and the post office over dinner with a Trump voter made him feel like he’d become “the man.” But it's not age that’s made him more conservative—it’s Trump’s destruction of public service, empathy, and the common good. Black traces his unlikely journey from straight-edge punk rocker to champion of bureaucracy, arguing that helping people shouldn’t be a radical act. He calls Trump “the worst thing for comedy” and slams the administration’s cruelty as both unfunny and un-American. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles to dissect the explosive feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump—two billionaires with their own media platforms and no off switch. Wolff recounts how Musk, cast out by Trump, has resurfaced with threats to bankroll a third party and destabilize GOP control. Trump, ever theatrical, responds by smearing Musk as a drug-addled foreigner, even suggesting deportation. But beneath the chaos lies a real threat: Musk’s billions could tip the Senate and House, risking everything for Trump. Wolff warns this isn’t just noise—it’s a blood feud. And in Trump’s world, dominance matters more than governance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Della Volpe joins Joanna Coles to unpack why young voters—especially anxious, economically insecure young men—helped put Trump in office. Drawing on Harvard polling and his SAM Project, Della Volpe explains how Trump’s internet swagger and outsider energy appealed to a generation feeling betrayed by institutions. But the mood is shifting. Young voters are turning on Trump, frustrated by chaos and instability. Della Volpe warns Democrats: stop lecturing, start listening. He points to Zohran Mamdani’s surprise win as proof that authenticity, optimism, and showing up matter more than ideology. To win Gen Z, Democrats need less tightly scripted cable TV appearances—and more courage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz Plank joins Joanna Coles for a scorching postmortem on the Venice wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez—a $50 million display of “confetti capitalism” that collided head-on with a collapsing middle class. Plank, whose viral Substack column captured the online fury, recounts watching the foam-drenched bacchanal while her paper straw dissolved in her mouth and seniors were zip-tied at the Capitol protesting Medicaid cuts. She argues the grotesque contrast isn’t just offensive—it’s politically clarifying. As celebrities scrambled for camera time and Vogue’s fawning coverage backfired, Plank points to a growing revolt: from Zohran’s shock primary win in New York to Hungary’s defiant pride march. She connects the dots from Bezos’s billionaire cosplay to the Democratic Party’s disconnect with working people—and calls for all to use their voice, both online and off, to advocate for real political change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.