US President Donald Trump’s MAGA base is in an uproar after his administration’s Justice Department and the FBI effectively debunked long-held conspiracy theories surrounding notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A memo released Sunday, July 6, publicly stated there is no evidence of an Epstein “client list” or blackmailing of powerful figures.
Furthermore, authorities reconfirmed Epstein’s death as suicide and announced no further information on the probe would be released.
This marks the first time Trump’s officials have publicly dismissed these widely circulated narratives, many of which were promoted by prominent right-wing figures before they joined his administration.
The backlash from his “Make America Great Again” movement was immediate and severe, as many supporters deeply believe “Deep State” elites were protecting powerful associates of Epstein, particularly those in the Democratic Party and Hollywood.
Fury Directed at Trump’s Appointees Amid Accusations of Deception
Pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Alex Jones tweeted his outrage, calling the development “over the top sickening.”
While Trump himself has largely avoided direct blame, the fury has instead been aimed at FBI Director Kash Patel, his deputy Dan Bongino, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, all of whom had previously pushed Epstein-related conspiracy theories.
Trump defended Bongino and Patel on social media as “the greatest law enforcement professionals in the world,” but this did little to quell the anger, especially after Bongino reposted Trump’s praise and was subsequently deluged with furious responses.
The fiercest criticism, however, has been reserved for Bondi, who had previously assured Fox News in February that she possessed the Epstein client list and would uncover the truth—a claim the White House had endorsed.
Bondi was already under scrutiny from the MAGA base for distributing binders labelled “The Epstein Files” to influencers that contained no new revelations.
Far-right influencer Laura Loomer called for Bondi’s dismissal, labelling her an “embarrassment” and accusing her of lying to Trump’s base.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s attempt to clarify that Bondi was referring to Epstein-related paperwork in general only intensified the outrage.
Critics, like CNN analyst Chris Cillizza, suggest this situation indicates that the administration and its allies are becoming the very “Deep State” they once attacked.
Broader Cracks in the MAGA Movement
Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking.
Trump, who has denied visiting Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking home in the US Virgin Islands, had previously stated he would have “no problem” releasing case files.
This controversy is one of several recent schisms within the MAGA movement. Supporters are also angered by Trump’s decision to resume weapons supply to Ukraine, as well as his administration’s bombing of Iranian nuclear sites and calls for easing immigration raids on farms.
Beyond revealing the internal power dynamics, the Epstein fallout raises concerns that disillusionment within the MAGA base could damage Republican prospects in the upcoming election cycle.
The dispute also comes as Trump faces pressure from the launch of a new political party by Elon Musk, his estranged former close aide, who previously alleged that Trump’s name appeared in the Epstein files.
Musk further inflamed tensions by posting an “Epstein countdown clock” on X, questioning why no arrests had been made.
