Anne Laurie covered the beginnings of the MAGA meltdown over the Epstein files here on Saturday morning. But I’m not sure the story is over.
One thing to keep in mind about MAGA dopes is that they marinate at all times in an information bubble that confirms the bullshit they already believe. It’s not an excuse — it’s 100% their fault because, as yet, no one is forcing them to consume nothing but propaganda and believe easily debunked lies. But it’s helpful to understand their former state of “innocence” to make sense of their furious reaction now.
Basically, the marks have been told for years that Epstein trafficked minors to elite and powerful pedophiles and was possibly murdered in jail to protect the wealthy and connected perverts for whom he served as procurer. Trump told the marks he would blow the lid off the conspiracy if reelected.
Then last week, Bondi said there was no Epstein client list after all (she previously said the list was in her possession) and nothing further to release, and the MAGAs started screaming for her head, convinced that she’s in on the coverup. (And she probably is — just not in the way they think.)
Enraged at fans who are howling for Bondi’s head, Trump posted an insane “nothing to see here, move along” rant on his Twitter knock-off on Saturday:
What’s going on with my “boys” and, in some cases, “gals?” They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and “selfish people” are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again. Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration, who conned the World with the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, 51 “Intelligence” Agents, “THE LAPTOP FROM HELL,” and more? They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called “friends” are playing right into their hands. Why didn’t these Radical Left Lunatics release the Epstein Files? If there was ANYTHING in there that could have hurt the MAGA Movement, why didn’t they use it? They haven’t even given up on the John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King, Jr. Files. No matter how much success we have had, securing the Border, deporting Criminals, fixing the Economy, Energy Dominance, a Safer World where Iran will not have Nuclear Weapons, it’s never enough for some people. We are about to achieve more in 6 months than any other Administration has achieved in over 100 years, and we have so much more to do. We are saving our Country and, MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, which will continue to be our complete PRIORITY. The Left is imploding! Kash Patel, and the FBI, must be focused on investigating Voter Fraud, Political Corruption, ActBlue, The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020, and arresting Thugs and Criminals, instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT! The 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen, and they tried to do the same thing in 2024 — That’s what she is looking into as AG, and much more. One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it’s the “HOTTEST” Country anywhere in the World. Let’s keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
But the marks weren’t buying it as of this weekend. Trump got ratioed. Even his TV mouthpieces on Fox News weren’t buying it as of yesterday.
At approximately the 2:20 mark, the Fox News couch crew helpfully spell out how the Trump administration could “defuse this ticking time bomb.” They say Bondi, Patel and Bongino must get in front of cameras, make a statement and answer questions. The couch crew says their audience has legitimate questions, including:
- Who are the perpetrators Epstein connected with trafficked minors?
- Have they been deposed?
- Why have they not been arrested?
- Who is on the videos the admin says it has that were taken at Epstein’s pervert island as well as properties in NYC and the Southwest?
The Fox News propagandists say this story won’t go away until people get those answers from the administration. I have no idea if that’s true. Every week, Trump weasels out of scandals that would end any other politician a thousand times over.
Trump’s repulsive friendship with Epstein was documented in this nauseating video years ago, and it didn’t dent his sleazy political career. Have the Fox News-viewing MAGA zombies seen that video? I don’t know. Would it matter to them? Again, it would seem not because nothing else does.
But Trump has lost control of the narrative on this. He’s rattled. I’d say that’s a good thing, but who knows what he’s capable of doing to regain control of the media cycle, which is one talent he genuinely has? My guess is nothing’s off the table.
Open thread.
Trump Lost Control of the Epstein NarrativePost + Comments (212)