Overview of Epstein Bill Passes, Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince, Kessler Twins Die and more
A concise roundup from CNN Podcasts (host Afoma DK) covering the five top stories for Tuesday, November 18. The episode reports on major legislative, political, legal and human-interest developments: a bipartisan bill to unseal Jeffrey Epstein case files, President Trump’s remarks defending Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a court decision blocking Texas’s new congressional map, NTSB findings on the Baltimore bridge collapse, and the joint assisted suicide of German entertainment duo the Kessler twins.
Top headlines (quick list)
- Congress passed a bipartisan bill requiring the Justice Department to release all Jeffrey Epstein case files; the measure moves to the president.
- President Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an Oval Office meeting and rebuked a reporter referencing Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
- A federal court blocked Texas’s newly drawn congressional map, calling it likely an unconstitutional racial gerrymander; Texas will use the previous map while it appeals.
- NTSB public meeting on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse concluded that a mislabeled signal wire likely triggered blackouts preceding the crash; 17 safety recommendations proposed.
- German twins Alice and Ellen Kessler (89) died by joint assisted suicide; they were members of the German Society for Humane Dying and lived in Munich.
Story details and context
1) Epstein records bill
- Lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a House-backed bipartisan bill to compel the DOJ to release all case files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
- The Senate agreed to pass the bill unanimously once it receives the House measure.
- President Trump said he’ll sign it but a White House official indicated no decision on timing yet.
- Notable quote from Trump: “I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert.”
2) Trump and Saudi Crown Prince (Mohammed bin Salman)
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited the Oval Office (his first White House visit in over seven years).
- Trump reacted sharply to a reporter raising the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, defending the crown prince and saying he “knew nothing about it.”
- Khashoggi’s widow publicly rejected Trump’s characterization and said the murder cannot be justified.
- U.S. intelligence (CIA) had previously assessed the crown prince likely approved the killing; the crown prince denies involvement.
3) Texas redistricting blocked
- A federal court barred Texas from using its new congressional map for next year’s midterms, finding it likely an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
- The court ordered the state to revert to the previous post-2020-census map.
- Texas is appealing; the contested map aimed to help Republicans flip five Democratic seats and spurred wider redistricting moves nationally.
4) Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse — NTSB findings
- The cargo ship collision that caused the bridge collapse and six deaths was preceded by a blackout triggered by a mislabeled signal wire placed incorrectly during construction.
- NTSB praised the crew’s reaction but concluded they could not regain control in time.
- The board proposed 17 safety recommendations to reduce the risk of a similar incident.
5) Kessler twins’ joint assisted suicide
- Alice and Ellen Kessler, 89-year-old German twin entertainers who rose to fame in the 1950s, died by joint assisted suicide.
- They were affiliated with the DGHS (German Society for Humane Dying), which helps arrange legal access to assisted dying.
- Police responded to a deployment but did not give further details. Assisted dying is legal in Germany under certain circumstances following a 2020 Constitutional Court ruling.
Notable quotes
- Trump on Epstein: “I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert.”
- Trump to reporters about Khashoggi inquiry: “He knew nothing about it… You don’t have to embarrass our guests.”
Implications / What to watch next
- Epstein bill: expect release of DOJ files once the president signs; documents could prompt renewed scrutiny and reporting.
- Trump–MBS dynamic: the exchange may renew domestic and international debate over U.S.–Saudi relations and responses to Khashoggi’s murder.
- Texas redistricting: appeals could shape national redistricting strategy ahead of midterms and influence partisan control of House seats.
- NTSB recommendations: follow implementation and industry response for changes in maritime safety, vessel construction standards and port signaling protocols.
- Assisted dying decisions in Germany: continued public and legal discussion about end-of-life rights and regulations.
Where this appeared / additional notes
- Host: Afoma DK for CNN’s “Five Things You Need to Know” (Nov. 18).
- The episode included sponsor messages (Dell and LegalZoom) and promos for other CNN podcasts (Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Chasing Life and Audie Cornish’s The Assignment).