Trump State of the Union Strategy, Mexico Cartel Violence, Epstein Files Naming Trump - Up First Recap
Podcast: Up First
Published: 2026-02-24
Duration: 14 minutes
Summary
This episode covers President Trump's strategy for the State of the Union amid low approval ratings, the impact of cartel violence in Mexico after the death of El Mencho, and new revelations from the Epstein files involving Trump.
What Happened
President Trump faces a crucial moment to reset his agenda during the State of the Union, as new polling indicates that 60% of Americans feel the country is worse off than a year ago. Republican strategist John McHenry suggests Trump could use the speech to clarify his controversial tariff policies and address concerns over potential conflict with Iran.
In Mexico, the government is grappling with the aftermath of a military operation that killed El Mencho, a major drug cartel leader. The violence that erupted following his death, including burned-out cars and closed businesses in Jalisco, highlights the challenges of combating organized crime without escalating violence.
Ador Peralta reports from Guadalajara that while the city is quiet now, there is concern that the death of El Mencho could lead to further cartel fragmentation and violence. President Claude Shimbaum's administration faces pressure from the U.S. to take a stronger stance against cartels, marking a shift from her predecessor's 'hugs, not bullets' approach.
The episode also reveals an NPR investigation into the Epstein files, finding that the Justice Department withheld pages mentioning allegations against Trump. These documents involve accusations of sexual abuse dating back to 1983, raising questions about transparency in the file's release.
Stephen Fowler explains that while Trump's name appears thousands of times in the Epstein files, a specific allegation involving a minor was sent for further investigation but remains largely undisclosed. The Justice Department has yet to publicly account for the missing pages.
The White House maintains that there is nothing incriminating against Trump in the files, stating he has been exonerated. However, the lack of transparency continues to draw criticism, especially with Epstein survivors attending the State of the Union as guests of lawmakers.
Key Insights
- President Trump's upcoming State of the Union is a strategic opportunity to address the 60% of Americans who feel worse off than last year, particularly by clarifying his controversial tariff policies amid fears of conflict with Iran.
- The killing of El Mencho, a notorious cartel leader, has led to chaos in Jalisco, Mexico. This incident underscores the Mexican government's struggle to combat organized crime without worsening violence, challenging President Claude Shimbaum's approach.
- The Justice Department's withholding of documents linking Trump to Epstein raises transparency issues, especially as allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor remain under-investigated and largely undisclosed.
- Epstein survivors attending the State of the Union bring critical attention to the lack of transparency in how the Justice Department has handled the Epstein files, particularly with pages mentioning Trump being withheld.
Key Questions Answered
What does NPR's investigation reveal about the Epstein files and Trump?
NPR found that the Justice Department withheld pages from the Epstein files mentioning allegations against Trump, including a sexual abuse accusation from 1983. These documents were notable enough to be included in a government slideshow but remain largely undisclosed.
How is Mexico responding to cartel violence after El Mencho's death?
Following El Mencho's death, Mexico is facing increased violence as cartels retaliate. The government is under pressure to take a stronger stance against organized crime, a shift from previous 'hugs, not bullets' strategies.
What are the stakes for Trump in his upcoming State of the Union address?
With low approval ratings and significant public dissatisfaction, Trump needs to use the State of the Union to clarify his policies, particularly on tariffs and Iran, and to set the stage for upcoming midterm elections.