Within Donald Trump’s MAGA base, tensions are rising. Prominent supporters of the president are demanding he fulfill a key campaign promise: to release all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case — the now-deceased financier who was accused of running a vast sex trafficking network involving minors.
According to Der Spiegel, pressure is mounting on President Trump as the Justice Department now claims there are no new findings in the Epstein investigation — including no trace of the rumored “client list”, which allegedly contains names of powerful Democrats and Hollywood figures.
The Missing “Client List” — Who Will Believe That?
On Monday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced there were no new developments in the case. They stressed that no “client list” linked to Epstein had been found, despite both officials previously fueling speculation that such a list existed.
This abrupt reversal has infuriated many within the MAGA movement. After all, Bondi and Patel had themselves hinted at the existence of damning documents. Now — silence and denial. For a community that has long demanded accountability, this sudden about-face feels like betrayal.
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019. The official cause was suicide, though many Americans remain skeptical, believing that his death conveniently silenced someone with dangerous knowledge about the powerful.
“Utterly Disgusting!” — Conservative Reactions Boil Over
Anger erupted online among right-wing voices. Trump loyalist and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who commands a massive following across alternative media platforms, called the Justice Department’s actions “utterly disgusting.”
Far-right influencer Laura Loomer — known for her close proximity to the Trump movement — went even further. She demanded that Pam Bondi be fired immediately. “She lied to the president’s base and is a liability to the administration. He must fire her!” Loomer wrote on X.
Trump Rushes to Shield Bondi — and Dodges the Question
President Trump, for his part, sought to shut down the conversation during a press conference on Tuesday. When asked about the Epstein files, he responded with visible irritation:
“Are people still talking about that guy? That creep? That’s incredible,” Trump said. He then insisted the country had “more important problems,” like the devastating floods in Texas, and scolded the press for not focusing on his policy achievements — such as in trade.
But his dismissive tone only added fuel to the fire. For many in the MAGA base, the Epstein affair is more than a criminal case — it’s a symbol of a corrupt deep state that protects elites and hides their crimes. Within that narrative, Trump was supposed to be the one to break the silence.
Suspicions Turn Toward Trump Himself
As Der Spiegel notes, Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were well acquainted in the early 2000s. At the time, they were even neighbors in the exclusive Palm Beach enclave in Florida. Trump’s name did appear in earlier court documents related to Epstein, but no wrongdoing was attributed to him.
However, some MAGA loyalists are beginning to ask a troubling question: Is Trump himself on the alleged client list? Is that why he’s avoiding its publication?
Elon Musk Strikes a Blow
Adding fuel to the fire, Elon Musk — once seen as an ally of Trump — took a swipe at the president on X.
“How can anyone trust Trump if he won’t release the Epstein files?” Musk asked pointedly.
Back in June, Musk had already suggested that Trump’s name might be among the documents — a claim that sparked a fierce clash between the two men. Now, with Musk reportedly laying the groundwork for his own political party, his attacks are landing with increasing force.
Open Ending: Will the Epstein Files Ever Be Released?
The Epstein case has once again become a litmus test — for truth, transparency, and leadership. Will Donald Trump heed the call of his base and release the documents? Or will he choose political caution, risking alienation from his most loyal supporters?
For now, his administration is opting for silence. But as growing frustration shows, the longer this issue remains unresolved, the more it threatens to fracture the movement Trump himself created.
As Der Spiegel puts it, the Epstein case is no longer just a criminal file — it has become a mirror reflecting the American elite. And the longer we stare into it, the darker the reflection becomes.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Der Spiegel.
All rights to the original text belong to Der Spiegel.
