Overview of Epstein Files Freed & Campus Competence Crisis | 11.19.25
This episode of Morning Wire (Daily Wire) covers three main newsblocks: Congress forcing the DOJ to release Jeffrey Epstein–related files, a sudden market sell-off centered on AI-related stocks, and an investigation into falling academic preparedness and alleged fraud at some colleges (including an HBCU). Guests include Daily Wire White House correspondent Mary Margaret Olohan, senior editor Cabot Phillips, and investigative reporter Luke Rosiak.
Episode breakdown — main segments
1) Epstein Files Transparency Vote (Mary Margaret Olohan)
- Congress passed the “Epstein Files Transparency Act” (sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna) directing the DOJ to release materials related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
- The vote was overwhelming and supported publicly by President Trump.
- Concerns remain that the DOJ could still redact names or withhold documents (example: Virginia Giuffre’s name was redacted in a prior release despite being public).
- White House messaging: defend Trump (argue he severed ties with Epstein), accuse Democrats of seeking to weaponize the files, and push reporters to also investigate Democratic links to Epstein.
- Olohan’s read: the White House has pivoted from resisting to acquiescing because of political pressures (base + congressional Republicans) and because released items so far haven’t produced proof of wrongdoing by the president.
2) Market volatility and the AI rally (Cabot Phillips)
- Global indexes fell this week; Dow, S&P 500 and NASDAQ each dropped ~3%+, with tech especially weak.
- The sell-off is tied to concerns that AI-related stocks are overvalued and a speculative bubble may be forming:
- Many AI startups are still unprofitable (MIT survey: ~95% of 300 AI firms not yet profitable).
- High-profile investors are positioning against AI winners (e.g., Michael Burry reportedly shorting Palantir and NVIDIA; Peter Thiel and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son sold NVIDIA holdings).
- Counterpoint from some analysts:
- Goldman Sachs argued AI benefits may already be correctly priced and valuations are not at “bubble” levels.
- Kenny Pocari (Slate Stone Wealth) calls it a major technological shift (“fourth industrial revolution”) and suggests price corrections are natural; views current weakness as a potential long-term buying opportunity for patient investors.
- Near-term catalyst: NVIDIA’s earnings report (released the same day) could further move markets.
3) College preparedness and alleged academic fraud (Luke Rosiak)
- University of California San Diego reported a dramatic decline in incoming freshmen’s math preparedness: the number of freshmen testing below middle school math standards rose nearly 30-fold between 2020 and 2025.
- Example anecdote: a basic arithmetic placement question (7 + 2 = ? + 6) was missed by a significant share of students.
- Investigative focus on University of Maryland Eastern Shore (an HBCU):
- Admissions rate reportedly ~90%, graduation rate ~17%.
- Four lawsuits allege lack of standards, pressure to pass students, cheating condoned by administrators, and retaliation against faculty whistleblowers via the DEI office.
- Allegations include a lecturer being pushed to pass failing students and a department chair later influencing class outcomes so all passed.
- The university president (Heidi Anderson) has been accused of plagiarizing her dissertation; critics say top-level failures help perpetuate low academic standards.
- Broader implications: lowering academic bar harms students (higher default risk on loans, wasted time), employers (devalued degrees), and taxpayers (federal student aid exposure).
Key takeaways
- Epstein files: Congressional pressure forced a major transparency push, but meaningful disclosure depends on DOJ compliance and potential redactions. Political theater and mutual accusations of hypocrisy (both parties) will shape coverage.
- Markets/AI: Rapid AI enthusiasm has driven large gains, but recent selling highlights valuation risks. Some view the sell-off as a healthy correction and a long-term buying opportunity; others warn of speculative excess.
- Higher education: Evidence of deteriorating academic preparedness and alleged institutional misconduct raises questions about admissions standards, oversight of federally funded programs, and how degrees are valued by employers.
Notable quotes & paraphrases
- Mary Margaret Olohan: “This is a massive deal” — referring to the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
- Cabot Phillips (paraphrase): “AI has been one of the greatest things ever to happen on Wall Street,” while acknowledging recent correction.
- Kenny Pocari: “This is the fourth industrial revolution… I’m not in the camp that I think it’s a bubble.”
- Luke Rosiak (reporting example): “A quarter of students at UC San Diego did not know” a simple arithmetic equivalence question.
Implications & recommended follow-ups (what to watch)
- Epstein files: monitor DOJ releases for scope and redactions, major revelations that affect public figures, and how both parties use the disclosures.
- Markets: watch NVIDIA earnings and subsequent analyst commentary; follow positioning by major investors and short activity in AI-related names; long-term investors should consider fundamentals and cash-generation capacity of AI-related firms.
- Higher education: follow legal developments around the lawsuits at Maryland Eastern Shore; look for federal or state oversight actions, audits of admissions/grading practices, and policy discussions about accountability for institutions receiving federal student aid.
Bottom line
This episode ties three distinct but policy-relevant stories: a high-profile transparency push around Epstein that will test DOJ disclosure practices and political narratives; stock market turbulence driven by re-pricing of AI optimism; and troubling evidence that some colleges are admitting and graduating underprepared students — an issue with financial, ethical, and labor-market consequences. Each story has near-term events to watch (document releases, corporate earnings, lawsuits/oversight) that will determine their practical impact.