Overview of ‘We will pay’, Epstein Fallout in the UK, Musk’s Moon vs Mars Mission and more
This episode of CNN Podcasts (host David Rind) runs through five top stories for Monday, Feb. 9: an alleged ransom demand in the disappearance of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother, fresh fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files including a closed-door deposition by Ghislaine Maxwell, a serious ski crash and surgeries for a veteran athlete, Elon Musk/SpaceX refocusing on the Moon, and brief promotions for two CNN podcasts (Terms of Service and Chasing Life).
Key headlines
- Savannah Guthrie posted a video pleading for her missing mother’s return after media outlets received purported ransom notes demanding $6 million in Bitcoin by 5 p.m.; police have no identified suspects.
- Ghislaine Maxwell is set to appear for a closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill amid renewed interest after release of Epstein-related files; some lawmakers are calling for answers about others named in the files.
- Congressman Thomas Massie criticized Howard Lutnick over revelations of contact with Jeffrey Epstein; a Commerce Department spokesperson said Lutnick had limited interactions and has not been accused of wrongdoing.
- A 41-year-old skier crashed in a downhill final, suffering a serious leg fracture (same leg previously torn ACL); surgeons performed procedures to stabilize and reduce complications; athlete’s team and U.S. Ski & Snowboard have not commented.
- Elon Musk tweeted that SpaceX will prioritize building a “self-sustaining city” on the Moon, saying it could be done in under a decade versus more than 20 years for Mars.
Expanded summaries
1) Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother — alleged ransom demand
- Savannah Guthrie (NBC Today anchor) posted an emotional video asking for her mother’s return and saying, “We beg you now to return our mother to us ... We will pay.”
- Two purported ransom notes have circulated; CNN affiliate KGUN reported one demanded $6 million in Bitcoin with a 5 p.m. deadline and threatened Guthrie’s life if unmet.
- Police have not identified suspects and there’s no public verification of a proof-of-life communicated back to the family.
- Local developments: a sheriff’s deputy is posted outside the Guthrie residence at the family’s request; investigators were seen inspecting a septic tank on the property.
2) Epstein fallout & Ghislaine Maxwell deposition
- Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted in 2021 on sex-trafficking-related charges, is appearing for a closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill following release of Epstein-related files.
- Expectations from CNN’s reporting: no dramatic revelations anticipated from this deposition itself, but the released files continue to spark political scrutiny.
- Representative Thomas Massie publicly urged Howard Lutnick to step down over alleged contacts with Epstein; the Commerce Department responded that Lutnick’s interactions were limited and he has not been accused of wrongdoing. CNN is seeking additional comment.
3) Skiing crash and medical updates
- A veteran 41-year-old skier crashed seconds into a downhill final, suffering a serious fracture to the same leg that had a prior ACL tear.
- According to reporting, local orthopedic and plastic surgeons carried out procedures intended to stabilize the injury and prevent complications.
- Neither the athlete’s team nor U.S. Ski & Snowboard had issued public comments at the time of the episode.
4) Elon Musk/SpaceX: Moon before Mars
- Elon Musk posted on X that SpaceX will shift priority toward creating “a self city on the moon,” arguing it can be achieved in less than a decade compared with more than 20 years for settling Mars.
- CNN reached out to SpaceX for comment; this marks a visible pivot from Musk’s long-stated focus on Mars colonization.
5) Podcast highlights & related reporting
- Terms of Service (CNN) episode: examines the booming sports-betting industry — Americans wagered roughly $150 billion in 2024 — and features gambling counselor/policy director Harry Levant discussing the apps’ addictive design and public-health implications.
- Chasing Life (Dr. Sanjay Gupta): features psychologist Dr. Diana Hill discussing psychological barriers to exercise and the book I Know I Should Exercise, But 44 Reasons We Don’t Move and How to Get Over Them.
- Short promo: “Talking Grief” podcast about grief, community and resilience.
Notable quotes
- From Savannah Guthrie (video): “We beg you now to return our mother to us ... We will pay.”
- Commerce Department response quoted in the episode: “...Secretary Lutnick had limited interactions with Mr. Epstein in the presence of his wife and has never been accused of wrongdoing.” (Transcript wording appears imprecise about Lutnick’s title; the quote reflects the statement cited in the episode.)
- Elon Musk (via X): calling for building “a self city on the moon.”
What to watch next
- Updates from law enforcement on the Guthrie case: any proof-of-life, suspect identification, and whether the ransom notes are corroborated.
- Any public disclosures or fallout from Maxwell’s deposition and continued releases from Epstein files that might name additional public figures.
- Official comment from SpaceX clarifying timelines and feasibility for a lunar settlement plan.
- Further medical updates and official statements from the injured skier’s team and U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
Takeaways
- The Guthrie family situation is active and urgent; public appeals and alleged ransom notes have intensified scrutiny.
- Epstein-related documents continue to prompt political pressure and reputational fallout for people named in the files.
- Major public figures and organizations (SpaceX, sports bodies) are under media scrutiny as priorities and incidents develop.
- CNN is promoting deeper reporting via its podcasts on sports betting harms and behavioral barriers to exercise.