{"podcast":{"title":"The State of It: USA","slug":"the-state-of-it-usa-7668165","podcast_index_feed_id":7668165,"rss_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/the-state-of-it-usa","website_url":"https://shows.acast.com/the-state-of-it-usa","image_url":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/6970d4769448a95f22559f23/1781689200140-c9901e2c-83b1-4218-963a-0cc2fb1fd1c5.jpeg","author":"The Times","episode_count":31,"summary":"Katy Balls and Gerard Baker bring you the REAL truth about US politics and power. No fake news, no flag waving and no Trump Derangement Syndrome. Just honest, in-depth discussion of what’s really being said inside the White House. Join the conversation between two people who know everyone in the USA who matters. Beaming in from NYC, Gerard brings almost 30 years’ experience reporting on America while Katy is the new kid on the block, spending her days chasing news and her nights on the Washington cocktail circuit. This series launches on 28 January 2026. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-29T04:17:01.572111+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-state-of-it-usa-7668165"},"episode":{"title":"Epstein tried to befriend me","slug":"epstein-tried-to-befriend-me","published_at":"2026-02-04T18:25:25+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-state-of-it-usa-7668165/epstein-tried-to-befriend-me","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-state-of-it-usa-7668165","url":"https://shows.acast.com/the-state-of-it-usa/episodes/epstein-tried-to-befriend-me","audio_url":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6970d4769448a95f22559f23/e/69834984721f5a28cbc0291c/media.mp3","summary":"His enemies were hoping that Donald Trump would come out badly from the Epstein files, but he hasn't. Gerry argues that the scandal is a parable about modern capitalism, and remembers the time Jeffrey Epstein tried and failed to make friends with him. Katy tells the inside story of her interview with Peter Mandelson. Also, what can we expect when the Clintons testify to the Epstein investigation? And what does President Trump mean when he says \"nationalise the vote\"? Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal Producer: Euan Dawtrey Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images Email us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.uk This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.","meta_description":"His enemies were hoping that Donald Trump would come out badly from the Epstein files, but he hasn't. Gerry argues that the scandal is a parable about mod…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1706,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-state-of-it-usa-7668165/episodes/epstein-tried-to-befriend-me/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-state-of-it-usa-7668165/epstein-tried-to-befriend-me.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}