How the Epstein files have turned MAGA against Trump

The promised Jeffrey Epstein "client list" that was expected to expose powerful individuals involved in sex crimes has been declared nonexistent by a joint DOJ and FBI memo, causing significant outrage within the MAGA community.

MAGA supporters, who thrived on conspiracy theories about a deep cover-up implicating senior Democrats and possibly Trump himself, feel betrayed as key Trump allies like Pam Bondi and Kash Patel now deny the list's existence. This represents a rare moment of dissonance where Trump's base struggles to reconcile his prior promises with the official whitewash.

Senior reporter Anna Merlan explains that the belief in this list was a major campaign promise and cultural touchstone in Trump circles, so its dismissal is a "nightmare" for many who expected high-profile accountability. Key figures once supportive are now openly critical, highlighting how deeply this issue has fractured Trump's camp.

This moment is emblematic of how conspiracy theories can bolster political movements but also backfire when expectations are unmet, leading to rare public fractures within loyalist groups.

• The promised Epstein client list has been declared non-existent by the DOJ and FBI, causing outrage among Trump's MAGA supporters.
• The disappearance of the list challenges beliefs of conspiracy theorists who expected dark secrets to be revealed.

• MAGA supporters expected the Epstein list to expose powerful Democrats involved in sex crimes with Epstein.
• This expectation formed a key campaign promise that Trump would reveal names upon returning to office.