Washington, D.C. – In a blistering episode of “The Rachel Maddow Show” aired just before Christmas, MSNBC’s firebrand host Rachel Maddow didn’t hold back, drawing a scorching parallel between the downfall of a corrupt European regime and what she calls the “self-dealing rot” at the heart of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Titled “‘Don’t Feed the Pig’: For All of His Unpopularity, Corruption May Bring Trump’s Downfall,” the December 23, 2025, broadcast has ignited a firestorm across political lines, with conservatives decrying it as “liberal hysteria” and progressives hailing it as a clarion call for accountability.
As Trump’s approval ratings hover in the low 30s amid mounting scandals, Maddow’s analysis suggests the president’s undoing won’t come from policy blunders alone—but from the very corruption that’s enriching his inner circle while alienating the nation.
The episode opens with Maddow transporting viewers to Bulgaria, where massive protests in 2020 toppled Prime Minister Boyko Borissov after revelations of graft and cronyism.
“Outrage over government corruption prompted massive protests and eventually the resignation of the prime minister and his government,” Maddow narrated, her voice laced with urgency. She then pivoted sharply to the U.S., arguing that Trump’s administration mirrors this pattern: unpopular policies like mass deportations and tariff hikes are sparking street demonstrations, but it’s the “self-dealing and corruption” that’s proving toxic.
Maddow highlighted Trump’s family businesses allegedly benefiting from federal contracts, insider stock trades by cabinet members, and foreign emoluments that critics say violate the Constitution.
“For all of Donald Trump’s unpopular policies being protested across the country, the self-dealing and corruption that has become his administration’s hallmark may ultimately be what leads to Trump’s downfall,” she declared, invoking the Bulgarian proverb “Don’t feed the pig” to warn against enabling greed.
Fueling the controversy, Maddow brought in Julie K. Brown, the Miami Herald investigative reporter who exposed the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Brown discussed fresh fallout from newly released Epstein documents, where heavy redactions appear to prioritize protecting Epstein’s powerful associates over his victims. “Survivors are finding their own names in released documents despite redactions that make a greater priority of protecting the identities of people involved with Epstein than to protect his victims as the law instructs,” Brown told Maddow, her tone laced with indignation.
This segment has sparked heated debates on social media, with #EpsteinFiles trending as users argue whether Trump’s past ties to Epstein—long dismissed by his camp—warrant a new congressional probe.
Conservatives, including Fox News host Sean Hannity, blasted the discussion as “recycled conspiracy theories,” while Senate Democrats like Elizabeth Warren have called for an independent investigation, citing potential conflicts in Trump’s Justice Department.
The show escalated with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) weighing in on media manipulation under Trump. Raskin expressed alarm over CBS News’ recent ownership shakeup and editorial shifts, suggesting billionaire Trump allies are “building state media.”
“An ownership change and recent editorial decisions by CBS News is raising concerns that Donald Trump and the billionaires who support him are making progress on building state media,” Raskin said, drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes.
This claim has divided pundits: Trump supporters argue it’s sour grapes from a “failing network,” but journalism watchdogs like the Committee to Protect Journalists have echoed Raskin’s fears, pointing to layoffs at CBS and softened coverage of Trump scandals.
The episode’s timing, just days before holiday gatherings, has amplified family dinner debates nationwide, with polls showing 55% of Americans now viewing Trump’s administration as “corrupt”—up 10 points since November.
Critics on the right, including former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, have labeled Maddow’s show “propaganda,” accusing her of ignoring economic gains like stock market highs under Trump.
Yet, Maddow’s defenders point to verifiable facts: a House Oversight Committee report from December 2025 detailed over $10 million in questionable payments to Trump properties, and ongoing lawsuits allege insider trading by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s associates.
As impeachment whispers grow louder in Democratic circles, this episode underscores a broader narrative—Maddow isn’t just reporting; she’s mobilizing. Will corruption truly topple Trump, or is this another storm he’ll weather? The nation watches, divided and riveted, as the president’s fate hangs in the balance