DOJ to question Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. And, Trump unveils new AI order

Authors: Brittney Melton

Publisher:

NPR

Published: 7/24/2025

Language:English

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Ema

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Ema, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Saturday, July 26th. The time is 12:04 PM. We have a packed show today!

Mask

I'm Mask. We're diving into two seismic shifts today: the Justice Department is circling back to Ghislaine Maxwell, and the Trump administration is declaring war on 'woke' AI. Let's get into it.

Ema

Let's get started. The first major headline is that the Department of Justice and the House Oversight Committee are looking to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, who, as you know, was Jeffrey Epstein's close associate and is currently in prison.

Mask

Five years after Epstein supposedly took himself off the board, they're suddenly interested again. The timing is… convenient. It makes you wonder what the real objective is here. Is this about justice, or is it about leveraging old ghosts for new political games?

Ema

Well, the request does come as more questions are surfacing about the infamous Epstein files. The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump was briefed that his name appears several times. It's important to state, this doesn't imply any wrongdoing at all. They were known associates for years.

Mask

Of course not. Being on a list doesn't mean anything. But in the court of public opinion, suggestion is everything. They're trying to create a shadow. Meanwhile, a judge just blocked the release of grand jury transcripts from the Florida case. They want to talk to Maxwell, but hide the records. Curious.

Ema

It's a complex situation with many moving parts. But speaking of government directives, let's pivot to our second major topic: President Trump signed a new executive order targeting artificial intelligence. It’s a pretty bold move that’s already making waves in the tech world.

Mask

'Bold' is one word for it. 'Necessary' is another. The order demands that any AI company doing business with the federal government must strip out "ideological agendas." We're talking about the 'woke' mind virus that has infected so much of modern tech. It's an antibody.

Ema

The order specifically defines that bias as concepts like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—DEI—as well as critical race theory. Essentially, it's mandating political neutrality for AI used by the government. The goal is to get rid of what the administration calls a liberal worldview in chatbots.

Mask

It’s not just a worldview, it’s a performance of virtue that actively censors and manipulates information. You ask some of these models a basic question and you get a lecture instead of an answer. This order cuts through the red tape and tells innovators to build, fast, without these ideological guardrails.

Ema

So, on one hand, we have the government revisiting a years-old criminal case with huge political undertones. And on the other, it's trying to dictate the fundamental principles of future technology. Both stories are really about who controls the narrative, aren't they?

Mask

Exactly. It's all about control. Control of the past, with Maxwell and Epstein, and control of the future, with AI. The question is whether the government is freeing us from a narrative or just imposing its own. I know which one I’d bet on.

Ema

Let’s dig into the background a bit on the Maxwell situation. For anyone who hasn't followed it closely, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted for her role in helping Jeffrey Epstein abuse young girls for years. She was a key figure in his network, connecting him with the rich and powerful.

Mask

She was the gatekeeper. Epstein was the spider, but she built the web. She gave him the veneer of legitimacy he needed to operate. After his death in 2019, which many still find highly suspicious, she became the last major link to understanding the full scope of his operation.

Ema

Right. And she's been serving a 20-year sentence. So, this move by the DOJ to question her now is significant. It suggests they believe she still holds valuable information that wasn't revealed during her trial. What she could possibly gain from cooperating now, though, is a complete mystery.

Mask

She has nothing to lose and everything to gain. A reduced sentence, better conditions… people will do anything for a glimmer of hope. The government knows that. They’re not going in there with an empty briefcase. They have leverage, and they’re finally deciding to use it.

Ema

Now, let's switch to the background of the AI order. This isn't happening in a vacuum. For the past couple of years, there's been a growing chorus of criticism, largely from the right, that popular AI models like Google's Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT have an inherent liberal bias.

Mask

Inherent is the right word. It's baked into their DNA. They were trained by people with a specific worldview, and it shows. They refuse to answer questions about the benefits of fossil fuels but will write poems about climate change. It’s not intelligence; it’s digital activism. Utterly infuriating.

Ema

And this has been a major talking point. Figures like JD Vance have warned about "authoritarian censorship" from these large language models. The administration's new AI Action Plan, a 28-page document, is the direct result of this pressure. It’s also heavily influenced by some big names in tech.

Mask

Of course it is. People like myself, Peter Thiel, and Marc Andreessen—we see the danger. We see innovation being strangled by ideology. David Sacks is even co-author of the plan. This isn't just a political move; it’s a rescue mission for the soul of Silicon Valley.

Ema

The plan is quite comprehensive. It aims to speed up the development of data centers, fast-track power from nuclear and fossil fuels to support them, and streamline hardware and software exports. It’s a full-spectrum push to accelerate AI development, but on the administration's terms.

Mask

You need power, data, and talent. The plan provides all three. It unshackles the energy sector to power the data centers and tells the bureaucrats to get out of the way. It’s a strategy for winning, not for placating committees that debate the ethics of a semicolon.

Ema

It also touches on worker policy, with things like tax write-offs for employers who provide AI training. The idea is to 'Empower American Workers.' So you have this strange mix of deregulation for the big companies and what looks like pro-worker policy on the surface.

Mask

It’s not strange, it’s pragmatic. You need a populace that can use the tools you're building. Reskilling isn't just a social good; it's an economic necessity. You don't build a fleet of starships and leave everyone behind on the launchpad. You train them to be the crew.

Ema

This brings us to the central conflict in the AI debate. The administration frames this executive order as a defense of free speech. But critics are pointing to a section of the plan and calling it, and I'm quoting here, "particularly Orwellian." This is some pretty heated language.

Mask

'Orwellian' is what you scream when you're losing control of the narrative. What's Orwellian is an AI that refuses to define the word 'woman' but will give you a ten-page lecture on colonialism. This order isn't banning words; it's banning state-sanctioned, computationally enforced ideology. There's a difference.

Ema

The plan proposes revising the official AI Risk Management Framework to remove references to misinformation, DEI, and climate change. Critics say that in the name of free speech, the government is essentially banning words and concepts it dislikes, which they argue is a direct assault on the First Amendment.

Mask

It's not an assault, it's a recalibration. These concepts are not neutral. They are Trojan horses for a political agenda that has no place in the foundational code of our digital infrastructure. Free speech means the AI shouldn't be the arbiter of what speech is acceptable. That's our job, as humans.

Ema

Samir Jain at the Center for Democracy & Technology put it this way: "The government should not be acting as a ministry of AI truth." This really captures the heart of the opposition's fear: that the government is trying to define what is "objective," which is a dangerous path.

Mask

Someone has to define it! Would you rather that power rest with a handful of unelected executives in Northern California, or with an administration that, for better or worse, is accountable to the people? I'll take the latter. At least there's a feedback mechanism. Good luck voting out a Google engineer.

Ema

This theme of conflict between institutions and the government is also playing out in academia. Let's look at the Columbia University settlement. The university paid $221 million to resolve claims of antisemitism, but the deal has created a massive internal conflict on campus. It’s a real firestorm.

Mask

'Conflict' is a generous term. Columbia failed to maintain a safe environment and allowed its campus to be overrun by ideological fanatics. The government stepped in and forced them to clean up their own mess. This isn't a conflict; it's a consequence. It's a long-overdue penalty for institutional cowardice.

Ema

But the American Association of University Professors called it a "devastating blow to academic freedom." And student groups are calling the deal a "betrayal." They see it as the university selling out its students and its principles to get its federal funding turned back on. That's a deep rift.

Mask

Academic freedom isn't the freedom to intimidate and harass. The university made a business decision. They chose a billion dollars in future grants over appeasing a small group of protestors. That sounds like a smart trade to me. The 'betrayal' is that the administration let it get to this point.

Ema

Let’s talk about the real-world impact of these moves. For the AI order, tech companies now face a clear choice: certify that your chatbot is politically neutral, or you can't get any federal government work. That could be a massive financial incentive to change their products.

Mask

It's the ultimate impact. The government is the biggest customer in the world. This move immediately creates a massive market for neutral, "anti-woke" AI. It will force the incumbents to adapt or die, and it will fuel a new generation of startups that build for this market from day one. It’s brilliant.

Ema

The impact on the public is a bit more complicated. It raises the question of whether we'll have different AIs for different political tribes. Will we have a 'red' AI and a 'blue' AI, each telling us a different version of reality? That could deepen divisions even further.

Mask

We already have that! The dominant AIs are deep blue. This just introduces competition into the ideological marketplace. Let them compete. Let the user decide which version of reality they prefer. The free market of ideas is always better than a monopoly. This is progress.

Ema

And the impact at Columbia is immediate and severe. The university pays out $221 million, but it gets its federal research funding, over a billion dollars, restored. However, around 70 students now face disciplinary action, including suspension or even having their degrees revoked. Their lives are directly affected.

Mask

Actions have consequences. They made a choice to participate in those protests. This is the outcome. The broader impact is a message to every other university president: control your campus, or we will. It establishes a new precedent for federal oversight, and I think it's a powerful and necessary one.

Ema

Looking to the future, especially with AI, there's a fascinating paradox. Recent surveys show the public is increasingly concerned about the risks of AI. A majority in both the U.S. and U.K. believe the risks outweigh the benefits, and they want more regulation from the government.

Mask

Of course they're concerned. They've been shown a future of job-stealing robots and biased, lecturing chatbots. They're right to be worried. But their desire for 'regulation' is a cry for competence, not for more bureaucracy. They want someone to be in charge and have a vision.

Ema

But here's the paradox: they don't trust anyone to do it. A huge majority, 82% of U.S. voters, don't trust tech companies to self-regulate. But they don't have much more confidence in the government, either. There's a massive trust deficit across the board. It's a real challenge for governance.

Mask

This is why governance by committee is doomed. A 'multi-stakeholder approach' is a recipe for stagnation. You don't build the future by taking a poll. You build it with a relentless drive and a clear goal. The public doesn't need to trust the process; they need to trust the results. This order is about getting results.

Ema

And that's the core of our discussion today. From old cases to new technologies, we're seeing a powerful push to enforce a specific worldview, raising profound questions about control, freedom, and the future. That's the end of today's discussion.

Mask

Thank you for listening to Goose Pod. The future isn't decided by those who ask for permission; it's built by those who move forward. See you tomorrow.

## Up First Newsletter: Epstein Files, Columbia Settlement, and AI Executive Order **Report Provider:** NPR **Author:** Brittney Melton **Date:** July 24, 2025 (as indicated by the publication date of the newsletter) **Topic:** Technology, Politics, Education, Justice This newsletter covers several significant news items, including ongoing investigations related to Jeffrey Epstein, a substantial settlement by Columbia University, and a new executive order from President Trump concerning Artificial Intelligence. ### Key News Items: * **Jeffrey Epstein Investigations:** * The Justice Department and the House Oversight Committee are seeking to interview **Ghislane Maxwell**, a convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein. * Questions continue to mount regarding the **Epstein files** and President Trump's past ties to Epstein. * A federal judge in Florida **denied a request to unseal grand jury transcripts** from a separate Epstein case in Florida. * A report indicated that President Trump was briefed in May that his name appeared several times in the Epstein files. It is noted that the appearance of his name **does not indicate wrongdoing**, as Trump and Epstein were friends for years. * **Columbia University Settlement:** * Columbia University has agreed to a settlement with the federal government, paying **over $220 million** to resolve multiple investigations. * The settlement includes: * **$200 million** to be paid to the government over three years. * An additional **$21 million** to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. * This settlement will also **restore access to hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen research funding**. * Columbia's acting president, Claire Shipman, stated the settlement addresses concerns about **admissions and hiring**, though details were not provided. * This approach contrasts with Harvard University, which has rejected government demands and filed a lawsuit. * The American Association of University Professors views the agreement as a **"devastating blow to academic freedom and freedom of speech"** at Columbia. * The Trump administration had previously sent demands to Columbia, including strict controls over its international studies department and changes to student discipline policies, alleging antisemitism on campus related to student protests over the Gaza war. President Trump had linked compliance with these demands to the unfreezing of funds and eligibility for future federal funding. * **President Trump's AI Executive Order:** * President Trump signed an executive order requiring **artificial intelligence companies that do business with the federal government to remove "ideological agendas" from their AI models**. * The order **prohibits federal agencies from contracting with technology companies** whose AI chatbots exhibit partisan bias. * Bias is defined in the order to include concepts such as **diversity, equity and inclusion, critical race theory, and "transgenderism."** * The initiatives aim to **reduce red tape for AI companies**, facilitating faster data center construction, easier overseas shipment of AI hardware and software, and the elimination of AI chatbots with a perceived liberal worldview. * Tech companies will need to **certify their chatbots as politically neutral** to receive federal government work. * Some in the tech industry see this as a payoff for their engagement with the president, while critics argue it allows the tech industry to self-regulate. ### Other Noteworthy Information: * **Tesla's Financial Performance:** Tesla reported a **16% year-on-year drop in net income** during its second quarter, despite CEO Elon Musk's increased focus on his companies after working with the Trump administration. * **U.S. Postal Service Anniversary:** The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating its **250th anniversary** and released new stamps. * **Podcast Feature:** Michael Vargas Arango, winner of NPR's 2023 College Podcast Challenge, released a new podcast, "The Monsters We Saved," discussing the global response to his personal story about moving to the U.S. from Colombia to study while living with a rare mental health condition. * **Heatwave Preparedness:** With a long-lasting heat dome expected to bring triple-digit temperatures, the newsletter offers tips for staying cool, including using appliances during off-peak hours, closing curtains during peak hours, setting AC systems higher when away, and blocking drafts.

Read original at NPR →

Epstein Files Subpoena, Columbia $221 Million Settlement, 'Woke' AIGood morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories The Justice Department and the House Oversight Committee are seeking to interview Ghislane Maxwell, a convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein.

This inquiry comes as questions about the Epstein files continue to mount, as well as information about President Trump's ties to Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide while in prison five years ago. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman announces charges against Jeffery Epstein on July 8, 2019 in New York City.

A federal judge in Florida has denied a request to unseal grand jury transcripts from a separate Epstein case in Florida.Stephanie Keith/Getty Imageshide captiontoggle captionStephanie Keith/Getty Images🎧 It is not known what new information Maxwell would provide or what she could get out of testifying, if anything, NPR's Domenico Montanaro tells Up First.

The government, encouraged by Trump, attempted to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein case. But a federal judge yesterday denied one of those requests. A report, broken by the Wall Street Journal, stated that Trump was briefed in May that his name appeared several times in the Epstein files.

Montanaro says it is important to note that the appearance of the president's name doesn't indicate wrongdoing, as Trump and Epstein were friends for years. Columbia University has settled with the federal government and will pay over $220 million to resolve multiple investigations. The settlement, which comes after months-long negotiations, will also restore access to hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen research funding.

The university will pay $200 million over the span of three years to the government and another $21 million to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Columbia's acting president, Claire Shipman, says the settlement also addresses concerns about admissions and hiring, though she didn't provide details on how.

🎧 Columbia's decision to settle is a different approach from Harvard University, which has rejected the government's demands and sued the administration, says NPR's Elissa Nadworny. Todd Wolfson, the president of the American Association of University Professors, says the agreement is a devastating blow to academic freedom and freedom of speech at Columbia.

In March, the Trump administration sent Columbia demands, including requesting strict controls over its international studies department and changes to student discipline policies. The administration alleged there was antisemitism on campus related to student protests over the Gaza war. Trump expressed that Columbia would need to comply with the demands if it wanted its funds to be unfrozen and be eligible for more federal funding in the future.

Trump signed an executive order yesterday requiring artificial intelligence companies that do business with the federal government to remove "ideological agendas" from their AI models. The order prohibits federal agencies from contracting with technology companies that operate AI chatbots exhibiting partisan bias.

This bias is defined in the order as related to concepts such as diversity, equity and inclusion, critical race theory, and "transgenderism." 🎧 The president's initiatives aim to reduce the red tape for AI companies, allowing them to build massive data centers faster, ship AI hardware and software overseas with more ease and eliminate AI chatbots that have adopted a liberal worldview, according to NPR's Bobby Allyn.

The president's order states that tech companies would essentially have to certify that their chatbots are politically neutral before receiving federal government work. Some in the tech industry say this shows that all the warming they have done to the president is paying off. Critics of Trump's plan say it shows that the administration is allowing the tech industry to make its own regulations.

Today's listen Michael Vargas in his room on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Miami.Eva Marie Uzcategui for NPRhide captiontoggle captionEva Marie Uzcategui for NPRMichael Vargas Arango, who won NPR's 2023 College Podcast Challenge, recently sent NPR a new podcast, The Monsters We Saved, discussing the surprising response he received worldwide from his story.

His winning entry, The Monsters We Create, was an emotional and personal story about moving to the U.S. from Colombia to study while living with a rare mental health condition. Vargas Arango used audio effects to help listeners understand what living with schizoaffective disorder is like for him. The podcast helped him find a connection with a new community, new opportunities and led him on a journey of self-discovery.

Listen to his new podcast or read more about his journey. Life advice Trying to beat the heat? There are other methods that dropping the thermostat.George Frey/Getty Imageshide captiontoggle captionGeorge Frey/Getty ImagesThis summer has been no stranger to heat, and it looks like it isn't about to ease up.

A long-lasting heat dome is expected to bring triple-digit temperatures over large areas of the Midwest and Eastern U.S. in the coming days. Air conditioners are sure to be on, and people may try precooling their homes to stay comfortable. This involves lowering your home's temperature during off-peak hours and allowing the cool air to last through when the sun is at its strongest and energy costs are higher.

Depending on whom you ask, it may or may not be effective. But don't worry, here are some tips to keep you cool this summer. 🌡️ Use large, heat-generating appliances like ovens, dishwashers and clothes dryers during off-peak hours.🌡️ Keep the sun out during peak hours by closing the curtains and blinds.

🌡️ Set your AC system to increase the temperature when you're away.🌡️ Block drafts from windows and doors in your home using caulk or weather stripping. 3 things to know before you go A 2023 Model X sports-utility vehicle sits outside a Tesla dealership Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Englewood, Colo.David Zalubowski/APhide captiontoggle captionDavid Zalubowski/APTesla yesterday reported its net income dropped 16% year-on-year during its second quarter, despite CEO Elon Musk pivoting back to focusing on his companies after working with the Trump administration.

The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating its 250th anniversary this weekend. To commemorate this milestone, it released new stamps yesterday. (via Hawaiʻi Public Radio)In 2019, Alek Hermon faced the heartbreaking decision to take his father, who had suffered whole brain death, off life support. After he died, Hermon left the operating room where his father's organ donation procedure was set to begin.

As he walked down the hallway, a nurse named Ray, who had been by his father's side, followed him. Hermon's unsung hero embraced him and made sure he wasn't alone with his grief. This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

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