Politics Weekly America Trump goes to war with Maga over Epstein files
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Jul 17, 2025 Ali Breland, a staff writer at The Atlantic, dives into Donald Trump's fraught association with Jeffrey Epstein and the tensions within his MAGA base. They discuss the call from loyalists like Laura Loomer for Trump to release Epstein's files, revealing cracks in their unwavering support. The conversation highlights the complex dynamics of loyalty and disillusionment among Trump’s supporters, as well as the ideological rifts that the Epstein scandal has exposed within the Republican Party.
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Epstein Island's Dark Nexus
- Jeffrey Epstein's island was a nexus for alleged child sex trafficking involving powerful elites from around the world.
- The scandal gained traction mainly on the right as a supposed weapon against the left, despite potential implications for Trump himself.
Epstein Files as Political Weapon
- Trump and his allies promised to release the Epstein files, fueling hopes his administration would expose elites.
- This promise turned the files into a political weapon expected to damage the left irreparably.
Justice Dept Ended Epstein Probe
- Trump's Justice Department announced no further release of Epstein files and found no credible evidence of blackmail.
- They confirmed Epstein's suicide was not foul play, disappointing conspiracy believers especially in MAGA.