Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump is facing growing political danger from his own MAGA base after dismissing calls to release further documents relating to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In what analysts are calling one of the most serious ruptures between Trump and his once-loyal supporters, the former real estate mogul-turned-president referred to those demanding full transparency on the Epstein files as “weaklings” who have fallen for a “Democrat hoax.”
This stance has triggered fury among right-wing activists and conspiracy-driven online communities who, for years, believed Trump would one day reveal the so-called Epstein “client list” and expose political elites.
Professor Robert Rowland of the University of Kansas told news.com.au that Trump is now in a bind of his own making. “Trump helped activate these conspiracy theories, and now that he’s trying to close the door on them, many simply won’t accept it,” he said.
A recent YouGov poll found that 75% of Republicans want all Epstein documents released. 50% believe a government cover-up is underway.
Even top Trump allies, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, have pushed back against the decision to halt further disclosures. Bongino reportedly reacted angrily to the FBI’s statement that no more files would be released and that Epstein’s death had been confirmed as a suicide.
Despite Trump’s claims that the public should “move on,” the outcry continues, with critics accusing him of betraying the base that helped propel him to power.
Republican strategist Alex Conant said the controversy had been “badly mismanaged,” noting that the administration promised transparency but delivered little new information. “Trump doesn’t have good answers,” he told NPR, “and now he’s stuck with a scandal he can’t end and supporters he can’t satisfy.”
The situation escalated further after Attorney-General Pam Bondi admitted that the much-hyped “client list” she once claimed to possess didn’t actually exist. She later clarified that she was referring to generic Epstein files, not a definitive list of names.
Adding fuel to the fire, a 2003 birthday card addressed to Epstein and signed “Donald” was published this week by The Wall Street Journal. Trump has denounced the card as “fake.”
Professor Rowland believes Trump may now be trying to bury the controversy – either because the files contain little of value, or possibly, something damaging. “That’s speculation,” he said. “But withholding files only keeps conspiracy theories alive.”
Trump’s labelling of the scandal as a “Democrat scam” and his attacks on supporters who question him has only deepened divisions. “Attacking your base is a dangerous strategy,” warned Rowland. “It might backfire in ways we haven’t yet seen.”
