United States President Donald Trump is facing a mounting political crisis of his own making, as pressure builds over the Justice Department’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.
Despite attempts to downplay the controversy, the issue is increasingly fracturing his support base and fuelling speculation among right-wing influencers and conspiracy theorists.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump dismissed the Epstein investigation as “pretty boring”, asserting that “credible information has been given” and questioning why the case remained of public interest. He praised Attorney General Pam Bondi for her handling of the matter, saying she “has handled it very well”, and insisted it was up to her to determine whether further files should be released.
However, the president’s efforts to contain the fallout appear to have backfired. Bondi had previously hinted that tens of thousands of video files were under review, a comment widely interpreted as referring to an Epstein “client list” implicating high-profile figures. Last week, the Department of Justice and the FBI issued a statement walking back that claim, stating that no such list had been found in the investigation materials. This reversal has only intensified calls for full disclosure.
Trump’s approach—characterised by dismissive language and attempts to refocus public attention on other issues—has triggered a backlash among some of his most loyal supporters. Online platforms affiliated with pro-Trump communities have been flooded with criticism, accusing the president of abandoning a cause he once fuelled through his repeated references to the so-called “deep state”.
Prominent conservative figures, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and activist Laura Loomer, have publicly called on Trump to take the matter more seriously. Flynn warned that the Epstein affair “is not going away”, while Loomer called for Bondi’s resignation and demanded the appointment of a special counsel to examine the case.
The issue has also exposed deep divisions within the Trump administration. Reports have emerged of a heated confrontation between Bondi and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino over the handling of the files. Loomer has further claimed that Bongino is considering resignation, though the FBI has declined to comment.
Bondi, for her part, avoided questions on the matter during a press briefing on drug trafficking. Yet her earlier remarks remain the subject of scrutiny. Initially interpreted as confirmation of the existence of an elite client list, she has since stated that she was referring more generally to Epstein-related evidence, not a specific document.
Trump’s political predicament is rooted in a narrative he and his allies helped to shape. Over the years, he has encouraged various conspiracy theories—many with QAnon overtones—that portrayed him as the lone figure capable of confronting hidden power structures. Now, those narratives are being turned against him by supporters who expect transparency on Epstein and other issues.
Political analysts argue that the president is now reaping the consequences of cultivating an information ecosystem in which rumours are treated as fact and official statements are met with distrust. “The faulty assumption Trump and others make is they can peddle conspiracy theories without any blowback,” said Matt Dallek, a political scientist at George Washington University.
The Epstein case, he added, is particularly difficult to dismiss because it is grounded in verified criminal acts. Epstein, a financier with powerful connections, was convicted of sexual offences and arrested again in 2019 before being found dead in jail. The nature of his associations and the perceived gaps in accountability have kept public interest alive.
Democrats have seized on the moment to accuse Republicans of hypocrisy. Several lawmakers have renewed demands for the full release of the Epstein files, while a Democratic amendment seeking to force such publication was blocked by Republicans. The Democratic House Majority PAC has accused GOP members of being “complicit” in shielding potentially damaging information.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has attempted to strike a balance, saying he favours transparency but adding that the Justice Department must also prioritise other investigations, including those targeting Democratic fundraising platforms.
Trump’s strategy has been to shift focus away from Epstein and onto broader themes that appeal to his base. In a recent post on Truth Social, he urged supporters to concentrate on arresting “real criminals” rather than focusing on “Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein”. This, however, has failed to satisfy activists who have long claimed that uncovering elite misconduct is central to Trump’s mission.
Commentators note that the longer the administration resists demands for disclosure, the more political capital it risks losing. Steve Bannon, a prominent figure in Trump’s circle, warned that the Republican movement could lose up to 10% of its support over the issue.
Beyond electoral considerations, the controversy is beginning to impede internal governance. Senior officials, including those in law enforcement and regulatory agencies, have been drawn into disputes over how to manage public narratives and conspiracy-laden expectations.
Russell Muirhead, a political science professor at Dartmouth College, noted that Trump’s prior success in leveraging conspiracy theories is now proving counterproductive. “The value of conspiratorial fabrications is they help people get political power,” he said. “But the Epstein case brings unique challenges because it’s rooted in truth.”
Unless Trump offers credible explanations and concrete transparency, observers suggest he risks alienating key segments of his own constituency at a politically sensitive moment. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon and internal unity fraying, the Epstein files could yet become a defining issue of his second presidency.
Read also:
Bannon Attacks Musk’s Political Ambitions, Calls for Deportation
