Latest news with #LunaticLeft
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Why is Trump so mad about the Epstein story?
So now President Trump is calling the Jeffrey Epstein story a 'hoax.' And — big surprise — he's blaming Democrats and their allies in the media for keeping it alive. He recently took to Truth Social to let us in on a little secret: 'Scams and Hoaxes are all the Democrats are good at … Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bulls—,' hook, line, and sinker. They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.' What's eating the president? Why so angry at folks who just want to keep the Epstein story alive? Maybe it's because when people are talking about Epstein, they're not talking about all of Trump's 'unprecedented success' since he was reelected. 'I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country's history,' Trump claimed, before lamenting that 'all these people want to talk about … is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.' And here comes the kicker: If his longtime supporters can't let it go, then he doesn't want their support anymore. Trump tossing MAGA overboard? I know — it sounds like satire, but this is real life. 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats' work,' he said. 'Don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!' Right. But before we throw every Epstein conspiracy into the 'Democrat hoax' basket, let's consider a few inconvenient details that Trump conveniently left out. For one, some of the loudest voices hyping the Epstein scandal were inside the Trump camp. The president himself, his vice president, his attorney general, his FBI director — all of them leaned into the Epstein story when it served their agenda. As former federal prosecutor Ankush Khardori wrote in Politico, 'Some of these officials, perhaps all of them, knew that there was no elaborate government conspiracy or cover-up surrounding Epstein's crimes or his death, but they intentionally misled millions of Americans for years to make money, get Trump back in the White House, or both. And now that they're in office, they're dealing with the mess they made.' That's one possibility. Another is that there really is a list — one with names Trump doesn't want the public to see. Could there be a cover up? And if so, who's being protected? The president himself? Or perhaps, as Khardori also suggests, the Trump team believed their own hype. They bought into the conspiracies they peddled and are only now realizing there is no Epstein 'client list,' no evidence of blackmail, no smoking gun. Just smoke. So, let's recap: There's a list, or there isn't. Trump's people lied, or they didn't. They knew what they were doing, or they were duped like everyone else. Clear as mud? For the record, I never had much appetite for the Epstein story — except for one question that barely anyone asked: Where were the parents of all those underage girls? The ones boarding private jets to fly off to a Caribbean island to have sex with adult men they didn't know? Don't misunderstand me — those men are responsible for their actions. But how did this all go on for so long without a single parent asking, 'Hey, where's my daughter?' Now, back to the big question. If there were a client list filled with prominent Republicans, do you honestly believe President Joe Biden wouldn't have made it public during his four years in office? And if the list were full of Democrats, Trump would have turned it into a campaign bumper sticker. Which brings us to the obvious: There probably is no list. There never was. Trump and company pushed the Epstein story because they knew the MAGA base wanted it to be true. They wanted to believe powerful Democrats were implicated. And now, the people who fed that narrative are stuck cleaning up the mess they made. So will Trump's most devoted followers do what he's now demanding — drop the Epstein story and move on? In the past, when Trump told MAGA to jump, the only question was, 'how high?' But something has changed. Many MAGA loyalists are refusing to budge. They want answers. They're not ready to pretend the whole story was cooked up by left-wing media. Of course, they won't blame Trump for any of this. That's a bridge too far for true believers who think the man walks on water. But Attorney General Pam Bondi? She might not be so lucky. Trump, as always, is probably waiting for the next shiny object — a fresh distraction to steer everyone's attention away from Epstein and back to where he wants it. And liberal journalists? They'll ride the Epstein train for as long as it's hurting Trump with his own base. Eventually, they'll move on — either when the story stops pulling ratings or when the next scandal drops. Stay tuned.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Donald Trump asks for 'all' Epstein grand jury testimony in huge U-turn as he slams 'scam'
Donald Trump has instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release produce "any and all" grand jury testimony related to the sex trafficking case against Jeffrey Epstein. Amid a surge of discontent from his supporters, President Donald Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to disclose "any and all" grand jury evidence pertaining to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. "Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to court approval. This SCAM perpetrated by the Democrats should end, right now! ," Trump declared on Truth Social Thursday evening. Bondi promptly replied to the President's command, stating on X: "President Trump-we are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts." It is unclear at this time what information could come out from any unsealed grand jury testimony but Trump has been desperate to put the case of Epstein to bed after the Department of Justice said last week in an unsigned memo that there is no supposed Epstein "client list". The memo also said the DOJ would not be releasing any further evidence in the sex trafficking case against Epstein. Trump on Wednesday, lashed out at many of his supporters who have refused to drop the matter, calling them "weaklings' and saying they are falling for what he is now calling the Epstein "hoax." 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bull——,' hook, line, and sinker,' Trump wrote Wednesday on his Truth Social site, using an expletive in his post. 'They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.' 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!' he went on. There is no evidence former Democratic officials tampered with the documents or played any role in promoting conspiracies about the files, which members of Trump's administration stoked for years. The schism centers on the administration's handling of documents related to Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail cell in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. Bondi had previously said upon taking office that the "client list" was "on her desk" which is likely why the anger over the unsigned memo has largely been directed at her.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Van Jones: Trump undermining argument he's not implicated in Epstein files
CNN pundit Van Jones said Wednesday that President Trump's 'bizarre' response to calls for the federal government to release more information on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has 'undermined' the president's claim that he is not implicated in the files. In an interview on CNN's 'NewsNight' with Abby Phillip, Jones questioned why the Trump administration has been 'afraid to release these documents' from the criminal case against the late disgraced financier. Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges and died by suicide in 2019, during Trump's first term. 'I have been defending Trump, actually saying it's inconceivable that anything in these documents are going to hurt Trump because Biden would have released them,' he said. On whether he still holds that view, Jones responded: 'Well, now he's acting so weird. Trump is acting so bizarre.' The commentator suggested he isn't sure what to believe now. 'Those of us who were making that claim have been undermined this week by Donald Trump acting so bizarrely,' Jones said. 'Why is he on Truth Social crying, saying, I don't even want you to be my friend anymore?' he continued, likely referring to the president's recent comments calling Republicans 'foolish' for fixating on the Epstein case. Jones added, 'This is unbecoming. This is strange, and it's starting to make people who don't want to believe the worst to believe the worst>' Trump has lashed out at some of his most ardent supporters who have been incensed at the government's handling of the Epstein case. In a lengthy post on Truth Social on Wednesday, the president dismissed the uproar over the Epstein files as a 'scam' perpetuated by Democrats and suggested he no longer welcomed his backers who have called for more transparency around the documents. 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bulls‑‑‑,' hook, line, and sinker,' Trump wrote. 'They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years. 'I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country's history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,' he continued. The president added, 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!' Trump during an Oval Office meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain also repeated his claim that the documents connected to Epstein were a 'hoax' started by Democrats. 'Some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net, and so they try and do the Democrats' work,' he said at the time. 'I call it the Epstein hoax. Takes a lot of time and effort. Instead of talking about the great achievements we've had … they're wasting their time with a guy who obviously had some very serious problems, who died three, four years ago. I'd rather talk about the success we have with the economy,' Trump added. The Justice Department and FBI issued a joint memo last week stating that Epstein did not have a client list and confirming his 2019 death at his New York City jail cell was a suicide. The findings incensed members of the MAGA movement, who have for years pushed conspiracy theories about Epstein's death and claims that prominent Democrats would be named on a client list. Epstein, accused of leading a sex trafficking operation involving underage girls, ran in high-powered circles with figures that included Trump, former President Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew and a number of other celebrities and ultrawealthy people. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, has also been convicted of sex trafficking and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Mike Pence has a message for Donald Trump about Jeffrey Epstein: 'Release all the files'
Former Vice President Mike Pence urged the Trump administration to release all the investigative findings it has related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an opinion not currently shared by his ex-boss. During an interview with CBS News' Major Garrett, the former Indiana governor said the "time has come" for all the facts to become available to the American people, adding he's "always believed in transparency." Pence emphasized that the names of the victims should be excluded from any disclosure. Here's what we know. During the interview, Pence told Garrett those connected to Epstein or who took part in his sex trafficking operation should be exposed. "Whether or not the facts justify charges, I think anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held to public scrutiny," Pence said. Former Vice President Mike Pence says "the time has come" for the Trump administration "to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein's investigation and prosecution.""Anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held up to public… Pence did not suggest the lack of transparency is politically motivated, but did hint that the investigation into the disgraced financier began during George W. Bush's administration and continued into Barack Obama's tenure at the White House. "I know of no reason why this administration — once the victims' names are protected — should not release all the files on Jeffrey Epstein," he said. Story continues after photo gallery. The interview follows President Donald Trump's recent criticisms toward Republicans who raised questions about his administration's handling of the Epstein case. In a July 16 social media post, he described conservative backers as "stupid" and "weaklings" falling for Democrats' work. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax. And my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bulls***,' hook, line, and sinker," Trump wrote. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." USA TODAY reached out to the White House for comment on Pence's interview. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, were among the Trump allies to push for transparency on the Epstein investigation. The calls came after the Justice Department released a memo earlier this month stating that a systematic review "revealed no incriminating 'client list" and that "no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted." The memo also said the department found no evidence to support theories that Epstein was murdered while in custody, affirming New York's chief medical examiner's ruling that he died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. "No one believes there is not a client list," Greene wrote on a July 8 X post. Story continues after photo gallery. In a July 15 interview with the Benny Johnson Show, Johnson also called for the release of more Epstein records, saying: "I'm for transparency." "It's a very delicate subject," he said. "But we should put everything out there and let the people decide." Trump said he doesn't understand the "fascination" with the case, blaming "bad people" for the attention and coverage it continues to receive. "It's sordid, but it's boring," he told reporters on July 15. "And I don't understand why it keeps going. Really only bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going." While Epstein died before sitting for trial, the registered sex offender pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor for prostitution in Florida in 2008. Trump, who had a friendship with Epstein years ago, has appeared in legal documents concerning Epstein's crimes but is not implicated. Epstein was found unresponsive inside his Manhattan jail cell on Aug. 10, 2019. He was transferred to a hospital and pronounced deceased. Officials ruled his death as "an apparent suicide." Contributing: Zac Anderson, USA TODAY More about politics: Mike Pence, other Indiana politicians praise Trump's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear sites
Nahar Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Trump slams own supporters as 'weaklings' for falling for Epstein 'hoax'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 17 July 2025, 14:10 President Donald Trump is lashing out at his own supporters, accusing them of being duped by Democrats, as he tries to clamp down on criticism over his administration's handling of much-hyped records in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, which Trump now calls a "Hoax." "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this "bull——," hook, line, and sinker," Trump wrote Wednesday on his Truth Social site, using an expletive in his post. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!" he went on. There is no evidence former Democratic officials tampered with the documents or played any role in promoting conspiracies about the files, which members of Trump's administration stoked for years. The rhetoric marks a dramatic escalation for the Republican president, who has broken with some of his most loyal backers on issues in the past, but never with such fervor. Though Trump cannot legally run for another term, he will need strong support from a united party to pass his remaining legislative agenda in a narrowly-divided Congress and an energized base to turn out in next year's midterm elections. Dangled documents The schism centers on the administration's handling of documents related to Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail cell in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI acknowledged in a memo that Epstein did not maintain a "client list" to whom underage girls were trafficked. They also said no more files related to the investigation would be made public, despite past promises from Attorney General Pam Bondi that had raised the expectations of conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists. "It's a new administration and everything is going to come out to the public," she had said. The reversal sparked fury among Trump's most loyal defenders, who have turned on Bondi, in particular. But Trump has repeatedly said he maintains confidence in his attorney general and has instead chided those who continue to press the issue. "I don't understand what the interest or what the fascination is," he said Tuesday, after unsuccessfully urging his "'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals'" to stop wasting "Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about." In an Oval Office appearance Wednesday after the Truth post, Trump said he had "lost a lot of faith in certain people" as he tried to turn the page on the story. "It's all been a big hoax," he told reporters. "It's perpetrated by the Democrats, and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net." He complained that Bondi has been "waylaid" over her handling of the case and has given out all "credible information" about the wealthy financier. "If she finds anymore credible information she'll give that, too," Trump said. "What more can she do than that?" He continued to complain in a pre-taped interview with John Solomon that aired Wednesday evening on Real America's Voice that the issue was distracting from his accomplishments. "All my supporters want to talk about is the Jeffrey Epstein hoax. It's unbelievable," he said. "It's a disgrace. ... I'm going to remember." While Trump has tried to blame Democrats for making Epstein an issue, he and many figures in his administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, spent years stoking dark and disproved conspiracy theories like those surrounding Epstein, including embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts Trump as a savior sent to demolish the "deep state." Anger still brewing Trump's comments have not been enough to quell those who are still demanding answers. Some of the podcasters and pro-Trump influencers who helped rally support for Trump in the 2024 campaign said Wednesday they were disappointed or puzzled by his comments. Far-right conspiracy theorist and podcaster Alex Jones called Trump's handling of the Epstein situation "the biggest train wreck I've ever seen." "It's not in character for you to be acting like this," he said in a video Tuesday. "I support you, but we built the movement you rode in on. You're not the movement. You just surfed in on it." Benny Johnson, a conservative podcaster, said on his show that he is a fan of Trump's movement but is trying to "give tough love and speak on behalf of the base." "Maybe it hasn't been framed correctly for the president," Johnson said. "I don't know." House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in an interview on Benny Johnson's show Tuesday, had called for the Justice Department to "put everything out there and let the people decide." His first-term national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn implored Trump in a lengthy message to correct course. "All we want at this stage is for a modicum of trust to be reestablished between our federal government and the people it is designed to serve. That's all (PERIOD!)," he wrote. "With my strongest recommendation, please gather your team and figure out a way to move past this." Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on his podcast attempted some damage control on Trump's behalf. "Don't take too seriously this whole Truth Social here," Kirk told his audience. "I know some people are getting fired up about this. I don't believe he was trying to insult anybody personally." Still, he expressed frustration about the administration's handling of the issue. "We are now Wednesday going into Thursday. People are very, very confused, and some people are very disappointed and mad," Kirk said. "We made so much progress with Gen Z, and this is a big vulnerability. Online, on TikTok, this story is not landing well. Let's fix this, and we can." Other Trump allies have stuck by his side, suggesting he does not need the influencers who have capitalized on Epstein conspiracy theories to make money and earn viewers. "He lent you his clout and voters," Brenden Dilley, the head of a group of meme makers who have lent their support to Trump, wrote on X on Wednesday. "They don't belong to you." Broader disapproval While those speaking out represent a fringe of Trump's most vocal online base, they are not the only ones dissatisfied with the government's handling of the Epstein case, according to recent polling. A CNN/SSRS poll, for instance, found that about half of U.S. adults are not satisfied with the amount of information the federal government has released about the Epstein case. About 3 in 10 said it doesn't matter either way and about 2 in 10 didn't know enough to offer an opinion. Almost no one said they were satisfied with the amount of information released. Looking ahead to 2026 midterm elections, some Democrats are clear-eyed that the Epstein files may not be a front-and-center issue for voters who tend to put a premium on kitchen table issues, but they see it as part of a broader pattern that could hamper Trump and the GOP. "There is something breaking through to voters getting at this idea of a Republican Party working for these big, corrupt, wealthy, famous people and not fighting for their constituents," said Katarina Flicker of the House Majority PAC, Democrats' super PAC for congressional races.
