MAGA and the Epstein files

[BobLobla]

Am I being thick? Why is Trump’s MAGA base angry with him for being so shady about releasing the full Epstein files? Surely they must know he’s on the client list? Or is this the one issue that would turn them against him? Or are they hoping it’s just people like Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton and they still believe him when he says the implications are lies?

And whyTF is Trump suing the Washington Post about that letter to Epstein? It’s so obviously from him!

(a) If he is on the client lists or other documents, they will be scrubbed before they are released.

(b) You aren't being thick - but assuming you are a rational human being you would find it hard to comprehend the conspiratorial mind, which is insane. In a nutshell they believe that Epstein was part of some global "authority" of power which has been controlling the world for centuries. And the papers contain detauls of this and others involved. It goes may beyound Andrew or Bill...

(c) He has to sue. Everyone involved will probably be dead before it ever gets to court. These things can strtech for decades.

(d) If you really want to "understand" MAGA you need to go beyond the surface rhetoric. This is not your typical right wing rabble. They are driven by insane conspiracy nuts whose world view is warped beyond any reason.

I feel I need to get my head around all this so following for that

Me too!

@PhilippaGeorgiouThat’s interesting and also horrifying. After I posted I found this article in the Guardian that says the same as you
https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/jul/19/trump-epstein-maga-revolt

Following too

Americans know that if trump sues he will win because he controls the courts.
Hence various huge companies including the media now fall in line with whatever he wants.
There are no “checks and balances” in america anymore.
However, rupert murdoch is a billionaire and very powerful and just as much of a ruthless narcissist as trump so this might be intetersting.
Trump used conspiracy theories to gain power by manipulating those of his fans who are not very bright and this is the consequence.
These nutters believe that epstein was part of the whole underground secret deep state power which really runs the world and is organised by rich pedophiles.
Trump pandered and agreed with them and promised to give them the evidence they believe exists.
He is clearly implicated by his mate epstein so hence now wants to backtrack with his infamous cry of “fake news” and labelling anyone who wants to see the evidence as “bad people”.
So they are great american patriots when he can use the issue to gain votes but bad and fake people when they expect him to give them what he promised.

Americans know that if trump sues he will win because he controls the courts.

If that is seen to be true, then a lot of companies will move their money out of the US. If they (or their shareholders) can't trust the courts to deliver unbiased verdicts.

Americans know that if trump sues he will win because he controls the courts.
That isn't entirely true - he has the power to appoint some justices, including those of the Supreme Court. That does not give him control of the courts, as he has already found out. He has something of a majority "on side" in the Supreme Court, but he cannot depend on that for everything.

However, suing individuals and institutions is a civil case not a federal case, and would only get to the Supreme Court if the case were deemed to have federal or constitutional implications. It is extremely unlikely that such a case could be made, but if it were it would simply fuel the conspiracy theorists even more. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that there was some form of contact / relationship between Trump and Epstein - there is photographic evidence of that. However, it can be argued - and it shows what an idiot Trump is that he didn't think of this - pretty much most rich people (or people who get away with claiming to be rich) meet and socialise. In Trumps shoes I would have gone with "someobody was organising a birthday book, I was approached to put something in, one of my staff drew something up for me that was funny..." It's hardly a secret that he's a misogynist and has an appallingly nasty sense of humour - so are many of his supporters so they wouldn't blink twice at that explanation.

However, here's the thing. There is no way any case is likely to be brought during his presidency, and he knows that. Even if it progressed quickly, we are looking at 2 years or so for a large civil case to come to court. But he will undoubtedly also claim that he cannot be deposed / questioned etc whilst he is president because potentially any questions could involve information which is of a criminal nature. Whilst that would not prevent him from being faced with criminal charges, it's already muddy water, and I doubt any courts will want to get in it.

Just to add, if you like conspiracy theories, there is the one that copies or originals of "Epstein files" are already out there - and held in the Kremlin. It's one of several theories about why Trump goes easy on Putin.

Another conspiracy theory is that the Mossad has a copy of the list. I don’t think he’s on the list, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so gung ho about releasing the list and authorising Pam bondi to say that the files are on her desk.

I don’t think he’s on the list, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so gung ho about releasing the list and authorising Pam bondi to say that the files are on her desk.

Much as I would like to think that he is at least that smart, I don't think he is. I don't think for one second that the NYT doesn't have that birthday greeting, that they made it up, nor that they didn't approach him before publishing. And the best he could come up with (with all his advisors) is "fake news"? Being honest, Prince Andrews story was better!

I doubt that list - if there ever was one - still exists. Whether Trump was a "client/friend/whatever" is probably irrelevant. Too many powerful names would be on it to ever come out now.

Has anyone seen the letter/drawing reported in the WP?

Just heard a couple of commentators discuss this, and point out that it's a devastating issue for Trump, as it allows the Democrats to keep on insisting that they want these files all released (with a slight suggestion that it will not implicate them). This is Trumps Achilles heel. Even MAGAnauts are aware there is only one reason why Trump would pass up an opportunity to shaft the Dems. And until he proves them wrong, the world is right.

The thing to remember about the MAGA revolt over the Epstein cover up is that they were promised they’d be released & that it would expose democrats. Bondi, Patel, and Bongino especially hyped that. Their inability to deliver is what pissed them off, not the reason that they were unable to deliver.

https://bsky.app/profile/naveman.bsky.social/post/3ludth7rxd22b

It seems Trump is now trying to distract his followers by putting out an AI video of Obama being arrested? While Robert Kennedy Jr is tweeting Obama: 'Get some rest tonight! You're going to need it!'

I find it so frustrating that posts like these aren't under Politics.

The base is angry because it's one of the rare instances that they are made aware of Trumper hypocrisy.

And Trump is suing people right and left - just from the sheer pleasure of 1)upsetting people and 2)not having to pay for it himself.

That the FBI were questioning Epstein, way back in 2010 (before Trump entered politics) if Epstien had ever socialized with Donald Trump and underage girls seems pretty damning.

I feel for the victims tremendously in all this, though, and I suspect that Katie Johnson's case was legit.