Criticism of the Trump administration is growing after the promised “client list” was not included in the report released earlier in July.
Now, even supporters of the “Make America Great Again” movement have begun to call Trump’s turnaround a betrayal.
Tensions over the Esptein case are rising after the promised “client list” was not included in the report released by US authorities this month.
As a result, the report and the administration’s communication on the case are seen as a disappointment to many – especially conspiracy theorists whose theories Trump has previously expressed support for.
Trump is now facing strong backlash, especially from supporters who believe he has broken his promises.
Criticism is now flaring up and coming from various quarters. There is now an uprising among his supporters, reports CNN.
What is MAGA
The slogan and expression MAGA stands for “Make America Great Again” and was coined by Donald Trump, who registered it as a trademark in November 2012 for political purposes. According to the MAGA movement, the United States was once great, but has deteriorated due to foreign influence. The movement supports policies that prioritize US interests over international cooperation. It also advocates economic protectionism, reduced immigration, and so-called “traditional” American values.
The Epstein case and conspiracy theories
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested during Trump’s first presidential term (2017-2021) for sex trafficking crimes and was imprisoned. He was later found dead in his cell. According to the official autopsy, Epstein took his life by hanging, but his lawyers disputed this and claimed that he was murdered. The speculation led large sections of the MAGA movement to spread conspiracy theories that Epstein’s death was linked to his wealthy and influential acquaintances, many of whom were on a secret “client list” of men to whom Epstein had sold women. As a result, many MAGA supporters demanded that the list be made public.
Trump’s “turnaround” draws criticism
During his political campaign, Trump repeatedly promised his supporters that the Epstein documents, including the infamous “client list”, would be made public.
But now it seems that he wants to distance himself from the case.
Among other things, he has dismissed the investigation as “boring” and only interesting to “bad people”, according to The Guardian.
He has also written a post on Truth Social:
“We are on the same team MAGA, and I don’t like what is happening. We have a PERFECT administration, THAT THE WORLD IS TALKING ABOUT, and selfish people are trying to damage it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein”
In the same post, Trump defended the US Attorney General who has received criticism:
“What is happening to my boys – and in some cases girls? They are all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!”
Strong criticism of the US Attorney General
Pam Bondi, the US Attorney General, faced strong backlash from Trump’s MAGA supporters for her handling of the case.
Critics believe that she has not been transparent in her handling of the documents, and that she has withheld information about Epstein’s death and his notorious client list, writes CNN.
But Trump has come to her defense in recent days.
“She has handled it very well, and that is up to her. She should publish what she thinks is credible, he said on Tuesday.”
Alleged conflict between FBI and Justice Department
Following the release of the report, divisions have emerged between the Justice Department and the FBI, according to people familiar with the matter, the Washington Post reports.
There are three central figures in the current tensions surrounding the Epstein case: Pam Bondi, the US attorney general; Dan Bongino, a former deputy FBI director; and Kash Patel, Trump’s former FBI director.
They played a key role in the collection of evidence, its publication, and in the investigations and communications surrounding the case.
Patel and Bongino have both fueled conspiracy theories about the Epstein case over the year and have therefore, like Bondi, received strong criticism for the report.
After the report was published, tensions have reportedly arisen between Bongino and Bondi over the case. Critics have speculated that he is considering resigning.
Todd Blanche, the US Deputy Attorney General, has come out on X and defended the department. He expressed that he worked closely with Bongino and Patel on the report, and that all three have approved it.
Justice Department and FBI summoned for hearing
On Tuesday, 19 Democratic members of the House of Representatives demanded that Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and their deputy directors be questioned about their handling of the case, The Guardian reports.
In their letter, the politicians argued that the issue can only be resolved if Bondi, Blanche, Patel and Bongino appear before the Judiciary Committee.
According to the members, the Trump administration’s actions have contributed to a general public “paranoia” about the investigation, rather than restoring trust in the government.
“Only a non-partisan political hearing, in which representatives of the administration answer direct questions from elected officials before the American people, can restore public trust in this matter,” the letter says.
The Justice Department and the FBI have not yet commented on the letter.
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