CNN Inside Politics

While many are focusing on last-minute gifts today, the Trump Administration is in deep damage control as they attempt to quell the fallout from the latest Epstein documents release. And additional documents are expected to drop throughout the next week. CNN's Kevin Liptak begins our coverage in West Palm Beach, Florida, where President Trump is celebrating Christmas at Mar-a-Lago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, CNN reporters are combing through more than 30,000 new Epstein documents released overnight by the Justice Department. Unlike the first tranche of files released last week that featured heavy redactions and few mentions of President Trump, this time we're seeing his name again and again. So what have we learned? The big headline so far, according to a 2020 email from a federal prosecutor in New York, is that Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet at least eight times, once with just Epstein and a 20-year-old.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump's base is signaling a complicated path for the America-first movement, based on thousands of MAGA faithful turning out over the weekend for the Turning Point USA annual summit. Was it a turning point for the MAGA movement?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A deep into the heated controversy surrounding the partial release of the Epstein files, which has led to allegations of a coverup and questions about President Trump's handling of the situation. The episode also explores new CNN polling about the 2028 presidential election, revealing voters' preferences and key traits they seek in candidates. Additionally, legendary rocker Gene Simmons visits Capitol Hill to advocate for the American Fairness Music Act and shares insights on his relationship with President Trump and his views on the MAGA movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tension grips Washington as we wait to see if the Justice Department meet its deadline and releases the Epstein files by midnight. Whatever happens, Democrats are already crying foul, claiming comments from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch suggest they might not get everything that they are required to release.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just before we came on the air today, House Democrats released -- without context -- five new photos from the Epstein estate. They arrive just a day before the deadline Congress set for the DOJ to release all the Epstein files.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A mini revolt of endangered moderate Republicans turning on their leadership over health care forces House Speaker Mike Johnson to insist "I haven't lost control." As Manu Raji reports, it's not exactly a sound bite the GOP wants out there.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles do an extraordinarily candid interview with Vanity Fair? That's the question on the minds of everyone both in and out of Trump World. Dana and her panel take a deep dive into Wiles' words, which include describing her boss as having an "alcoholic's personality."    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, Nick Reiner, son of Hollywood icon Rob Reiner, has just been taken into custody after both of his parents were found dead in their home last night of what police call a "homicide." CNN's Josh Campbell reports from Los Angeles     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into our in-depth coverage on the tragic mass shootings in Rhode Island and Australia. Follow along with our expert panel as we dissect these heart-wrenching events and their implications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee release new photos of powerful people captured in Jeffrey Epstein's orbit. They include Donald Trump before he was president, as well as Steve Bannon, Bill Clinton, and Woody Allen. It's not clear where or when these photos were taken, but it's important to note that none depict any sexual misconduct, nor are they believed to depict underage girls. But they do give you a behind the scenes look at how Epstein was connected with some of the most powerful men in the world.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, the Senate is voting on competing health plans from Democrats and Republicans. But don't hold your breath for a Christmas miracle, as both plans were expected to fail, which means in just 20 days, 24 million Americans who rely on Obamacare subsidies will face crippling health care costs unless something dramatically changes.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump claims he wants to "make America affordable again." Is it just lip service? He's in Pennsylvania today where he visited a swing district to speak to Americans struggling with high prices. But his message was ... confusing?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Asked today what grade he'd give the US economy, President Trump responded, "An A plus plus plus plus!" This, despite poll after poll showing most Americans disagree. But the real question is, what will midterm election voters think?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that could permanently hand over even more power to the president of the United States. The court's conservatives signaled they seem likely to side with the White House and overturn 90 years of precedent. And it's a case that could give the president more power to fire anyone for any reason.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of 'Inside Politics Sunday,' the discussion focuses on the Republican Party's struggle with affordability issues and Donald Trump's disconnect from economic realities. The show features a one-on-one interview with Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, who criticizes the GOP's lack of focus on critical issues like healthcare premiums. The episode also covers the potential Senate run of progressive Democrat Jasmine Crockett in Texas, and the controversial tenure of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including his handling of military strikes and internal Pentagon issues. Additionally, the program highlights the unique political scenario with Texas Congressman Troy Nehls not seeking reelection, paving the way for his identical twin brother Trevor Nehls to run for his seat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A vaccine advisory panel handpicked by the HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. voted to end the longstanding recommendation to give all newborns the Hepatitis b vaccine. The CDC said more than 6 million cases were prevented by routine vaccines over the past 30 years. But today, the panel recommended delaying the dose until a child is two months old. The recommendation heads to the CDC director for approval. CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner joins the show to discuss.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A man in Woodbridge, Virginia is arrested in the DC pipe bomber case from five years ago. Meanwhile, not far away on Capitol Hill, Admiral Frank Bradley and Joint Chiefs Chair General Dan Caine brief top senators on the disputed double tap boat strike, making the case that those survivors appeared to be radioing for help and could have continued trafficking drugs, which made them legitimate targets.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ICE agents are descending on two more blue cities, with threats of more on deck. New Orleans and Minneapolis are bracing for major deportation operations, the next steps in the administration's immigration crackdown. Our Priscilla Alvarez is learning that ICE is aiming to arrest 5,000 in the Big Easy, while in the Twin Cities the targets will be undocumented immigrants from Somalia, who President Trump has been talking about in increasingly racist terms in recent days.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins as President Trump is in the middle of what he said is the final Cabinet meeting of the year. Following an evaluation by Pete Hegseth, Dana and her panel analyze the defense secretary's words, especially his defense of the admiral accused of a "double tap" strike that killed survivors of a September US attack against a suspected Venezuelan drug boat.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices