The Story Why the Epstein files have split MAGA
Nov 20, 2025
George Grylls, the Washington correspondent for The Times, dives into the political storm surrounding President Trump's release of the Epstein files. He highlights how this issue has become a rallying cry for MAGA supporters and the divisions emerging within the movement. Grylls discusses Marjorie Taylor Greene's unexpected alliance with Democrats to push for the files, and how her rise shows fractures in Trump's base. The conversation also touches on Trump's past connections to Epstein and the emotional weight this topic carries for many.
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Trump's U-turn On Epstein Files
- Donald Trump resisted releasing FBI files on Jeffrey Epstein despite earlier campaign promises to declassify them.
- That resistance set the stage for a political confrontation with his own MAGA allies who demanded transparency.
MTG's Rise From Online Conspiracies
- Marjorie Taylor Greene rose from online conspiracy circles to become a Trump loyalist and a congresswoman elected in 2020.
- Her background in QAnon and internet forums shaped her political identity and activism in Congress.
MTG's Southern Persona Versus Online Fire
- George Grylls visited MTG when she still professed loyalty and had received gifts from Trump.
- He noted a contrast between her genteel Southern upbringing and her combative online persona.