Is President Donald Trump steering public focus away from a lingering scandal?
On Thursday's episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, host Joe Rogan and guest comedian Ehsan Ahmad discussed the unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files. Rogan suggested that Trump might be influencing current events to divert attention from the files. Meanwhile, Ahmad noted that other major stories, like an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting, have overshadowed the Epstein matter, while the podcast conversation also touched on unrelated political developments like the capture of Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro, fading from headlines after a fatal shooting in Minneapolis earlier this month.
Ahmad mentioned recording his comedy special on Oct. 25, which included humor about the Epstein case. He expressed relief that the files remain unreleased, preserving the relevance of his material.
According to Breitbart, the conversation took a speculative turn when Rogan hinted at intentional misdirection. “I think some of that’s on purpose,” he whispered, implying a deliberate effort by Trump to keep the Epstein files out of the spotlight.
Let’s unpack that whisper. If true, it suggests a calculated move to bury a story that could raise uncomfortable questions. But is there evidence, or is this just podcast conjecture amplified by a microphone?
Ahmad also weighed in on the lack of updates, noting, “They haven’t released anything in a minute.” His observation points to a stalled process, but does it prove a grand scheme? Hardly—it could just as easily reflect bureaucratic inertia.
Ahmad further remarked that other events, including issues with Somali communities and an ICE-related shooting, have dominated attention. It’s worth noting that ICE has been active since 2003, and enforcement actions aren’t a new phenomenon. Still, the timing of these stories raises eyebrows when older scandals fade.
News cycles shift naturally, as any observer knows. When a fatal shooting of an ICE agitator, Renee Good, occurs in Minneapolis, it’s no surprise that headlines pivot. But should we accept that as the full explanation?
Consider the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the Trump administration—an achievement that barely lingered in the public eye. Once the Minneapolis incident broke, that triumph was yesterday’s news. This pattern feels too convenient for those who’d rather avoid scrutiny on other fronts.
Then there’s the role of political rhetoric in this messy landscape. Some Democratic lawmakers, particularly Minnesota officials, have been accused of encouraging resistance to law enforcement under Trump’s administration. Their language, critics argue, stokes unrest at a time when stability is needed.
That’s not a small charge. When public officials use divisive words, it can embolden actions that spiral beyond policy disagreement. The result? More distractions from unresolved issues like the Epstein files.
Turning back to ICE, enforcement actions have long been a flashpoint. But framing every operation as a novel crisis ignores history and muddies the waters. We should demand clarity on policy, not endless outrage cycles.
The Epstein files themselves remain a frustrating mystery. Promises of release have come and gone, yet the public waits for transparency on a case with far-reaching implications.
Rogan’s suspicion that this delay will “go on for a long time” might sadly be correct. Until those documents surface, speculation will fester—and perhaps that’s the point for some in power. But Americans deserve answers, not perpetual smoke and mirrors.