Latest news with #QAnon-tinged
Hamilton Spectator
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Trump slams his own supporters as ‘weaklings' for falling for what he now calls the Epstein ‘hoax'
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is lashing out at his own supporters as he tries to clamp down on criticism over his administration's handling of much-hyped records in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, which Trump now calls a 'Hoax.' 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bull——,' hook, line, and sinker,' Trump wrote Wednesday on his Truth Social site, using an expletive in his post. 'They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.' 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore! Thank you for your attention to this matter,' he went on. The rhetoric marks a dramatic escalation for the Republican president, who has broken with some of his most loyal backers in the past, but never with such fervor. The schism centers on his administration's handling of the Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail cell in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI acknowledged that Epstein did not maintain a 'client list' to whom underage girls were trafficked, and they said no more files related to the investigation would be made public, despite past promises from Attorney General Pam Bondi that had raised the expectations of conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists. Bondi had suggested in February such a document was sitting on her desk waiting for review. Last week, however, she said she had been referring generally to the Epstein case file, not a client list. 'It's a new administration and everything is going to come out to the public,' she had said at one point. Trump has since defended Bondi and chided a reporter for asking about the documents. 'I don't understand what the interest or what the fascination is,' he said Tuesday. The blowup comes after Trump and many figures in his administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino , have spent years stoking dark and disproved conspiracy theories, including embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts Trump as a savior sent to demolish the 'deep state.' Trump's comments so far have not been enough to quell those who are still demanding answers. 'For this to go away, you're going to lose 10%' of the 'Make America Great Again' movement, former adviser and Steve Bannon said during a gathering of young conservatives recently. Far-right commentator Jack Posobiec has said he will not rest 'until we go full Jan. 6 committee on the Jeffrey Epstein files.' House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also appeared to break with Trump, calling for the Justice Department to 'put everything out there and let the people decide.' 'The White House and the White House team are privy to facts that I don't know. This isn't my lane. I haven't been involved in that, but I agree with the sentiment to put it out there,' Johnson told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Los Angeles Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump slams his own supporters as ‘weaklings' for falling for what he now calls the Epstein ‘hoax'
NEW YORK — President Trump is lashing out at his own supporters as he tries to clamp down on criticism over his administration's handling of much-hyped records in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, which Trump now calls a 'Hoax.' 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bull——,' hook, line, and sinker,' Trump wrote Wednesday on his Truth Social site, using an expletive in his post. 'They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.' 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore! Thank you for your attention to this matter,' he went on. The rhetoric marks a dramatic escalation for the Republican president, who has broken with some of his most loyal backers in the past, but never with such fervor. The schism centers on his administration's handling of the Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail cell in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI acknowledged that Epstein did not maintain a 'client list' to whom underage girls were trafficked, and they said no more files related to the investigation would be made public, despite past promises from Attorney General Pam Bondi that had raised the expectations of conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists. Bondi had suggested in February such a document was sitting on her desk waiting for review. Last week, however, she said she had been referring generally to the Epstein case file, not a client list. 'It's a new administration and everything is going to come out to the public,' she had said at one point. Trump has since defended Bondi and chided a reporter for asking about the documents. 'I don't understand what the interest or what the fascination is,' he said Tuesday. The blowup comes after Trump and many figures in his administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, have spent years stoking dark and disproved conspiracy theories, including embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts Trump as a savior sent to demolish the 'deep state.' Trump's comments so far have not been enough to quell those who are still demanding answers. 'For this to go away, you're going to lose 10%' of the 'Make America Great Again' movement, former adviser and Steve Bannon said during a gathering of young conservatives recently. Far-right commentator Jack Posobiec has said he will not rest 'until we go full Jan. 6 committee on the Jeffrey Epstein files.' House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also appeared to break with Trump, calling for the Justice Department to 'put everything out there and let the people decide.' 'The White House and the White House team are privy to facts that I don't know. This isn't my lane. I haven't been involved in that, but I agree with the sentiment to put it out there,' Johnson told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. Colvin writes for the Associated Press.
Washington Post
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Trump slams his own supporters as 'weaklings' for falling for what he now calls the Epstein 'hoax'
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump is lashing out at his own supporters as he tries to clamp down on criticism over his administration's handling of much-hyped records in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, which Trump now calls a 'Hoax.' 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bull——,' hook, line, and sinker,' Trump wrote Wednesday on his Truth Social site, using an expletive in his post. 'They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.' 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore! Thank you for your attention to this matter,' he went on. The rhetoric marks a dramatic escalation for the Republican president, who has broken with some of his most loyal backers in the past, but never with such fervor. The schism centers on his administration's handling of the Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail cell in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI acknowledged that Epstein did not maintain a 'client list' to whom underage girls were trafficked, and they said no more files related to the investigation would be made public, despite past promises from Attorney General Pam Bondi that had raised the expectations of conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists. Bondi had suggested in February such a document was sitting on her desk waiting for review. Last week, however, she said she had been referring generally to the Epstein case file, not a client list. 'It's a new administration and everything is going to come out to the public,' she had said at one point. Trump has since defended Bondi and chided a reporter for asking about the documents. 'I don't understand what the interest or what the fascination is,' he said Tuesday. The blowup comes after Trump and many figures in his administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino , have spent years stoking dark and disproved conspiracy theories, including embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts Trump as a savior sent to demolish the 'deep state.' Trump's comments so far have not been enough to quell those who are still demanding answers. 'For this to go away, you're going to lose 10%' of the 'Make America Great Again' movement, former adviser and Steve Bannon said during a gathering of young conservatives recently. Far-right commentator Jack Posobiec has said he will not rest 'until we go full Jan. 6 committee on the Jeffrey Epstein files.' House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also appeared to break with Trump, calling for the Justice Department to 'put everything out there and let the people decide.' 'The White House and the White House team are privy to facts that I don't know. This isn't my lane. I haven't been involved in that, but I agree with the sentiment to put it out there,' Johnson told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson.
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
With Epstein conspiracy theories, Trump faces a crisis of his own making
NEW YORK: As his supporters erupt over the Justice Department's failure to release much-hyped records in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking investigation, US President Donald Trump's strategy has been to downplay the issue. 'I don't understand what the interest or what the fascination is,' he told reporters Tuesday. His problem? That nothing-to-see-here approach doesn't work for those who've learned from him they must not give up until the government's deepest, darkest secrets are exposed. Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI abruptly walked back the notion there's an Epstein client list of elites who participated in the wealthy New York financier's trafficking of underage girls. Trump quickly defended Attorney General Pam Bondi and chided a reporter for daring to ask about the documents. The online reaction was swift, with followers calling the Republican president 'out of touch' and demanding transparency. Trump's comments to reporters Tuesday while returning to Washington from a brief Pittsburgh trip were just the latest in a days-long campaign to quell the uproar. He called the Epstein case 'pretty boring' and said 'the credible information has been given.' 'I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody.' he said. Trying to 'put the genie back in the bottle' Over the weekend, Trump used his Truth Social platform to attempt to call supporters off the Epstein trail amid reports of infighting between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino over the issue. He suggested the turmoil was undermining his administration — 'all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein.' That did little to mollify Trump's supporters, who urged him to release the files or risk losing his base. The political crisis is especially challenging for Trump because it's one of his own making. The president has spent years stoking dark theories and embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts him as the only savior who can demolish the 'deep state.' Now that he's running the federal government, the community he helped build is coming back to haunt him. It's demanding answers he either isn't able to or doesn't want to provide. Asked Tuesday whether Bondi had told him his name was in the Epstein files, Trump said no. He praised her handling of the case and said she should release 'whatever she thinks is credible." But he also claimed there were credibility issues with the documents, suggesting without citing evidence they were 'made up' by former FBI Director James Comey and former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, both Democrats. Bondi declined to discuss the Epstein files Tuesday during a press briefing about drug trafficking. '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 is a neat encapsulation that it is hard to put the genie back in the bottle.'
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
With Epstein conspiracy theories, Trump faces a crisis of his own making
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel NEW YORK: As his supporters erupt over the Justice Department's failure to release much-hyped records in Jeffrey Epstein 's sex trafficking investigation, President Donald Trump's strategy has been to downplay the issue."I don't understand what the interest or what the fascination is," Trump told reporters problem? That nothing-to-see-here approach doesn't work for those who've learned from him they must not give up until the government's deepest, darkest secrets are week, the Justice Department and the FBI abruptly walked back the notion there's an Epstein client list of elites who participated in the wealthy New York financier's trafficking of underage girls. Trump quickly defended Attorney General Pam Bondi and chided a reporter for daring to ask about the online reaction was swift, with followers calling the Republican president "out of touch" and demanding comments to reporters Tuesday while returning to Washington from a brief Pittsburgh trip were just the latest in a days-long campaign to quell the uproar. He called the Epstein case "pretty boring" and said "the credible information has been given.""I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody." he to 'put the genie back in the bottle' Over the weekend, Trump used his Truth Social platform to attempt to call supporters off the Epstein trail amid reports of infighting between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino over the issue. He suggested the turmoil was undermining his administration - "all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein."That did little to mollify Trump's supporters, who urged him to release the files or risk losing his political crisis is especially challenging for Trump because it's one of his own making. The president has spent years stoking dark theories and embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts him as the only savior who can demolish the "deep state."Now that he's running the federal government, the community he helped build is coming back to haunt him. It's demanding answers he either isn't able to or doesn't want to Tuesday whether Bondi had told him his name was in the Epstein files, Trump said no. He praised her handling of the case and said she should release "whatever she thinks is credible." But he also claimed there were credibility issues with the documents, suggesting without citing evidence they were "made up" by former FBI Director James Comey and former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, both Democrats. Bondi declined to discuss the Epstein files Tuesday during a press briefing about drug trafficking."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 is a neat encapsulation that it is hard to put the genie back in the bottle."A problem that's not going away Last week's two-page statement from the Justice Department and the FBI saying they had concluded Epstein didn't possess a client list roiled Trump's supporters, who pointed to past statements from several administration officials that the list ought to be had suggested in February such a document was sitting on her desk waiting for review, though last week she said she'd been referring generally to the Epstein case file, not a client influencers have since demanded to see all the files related to Epstein's crimes, even as Trump has tried to put the issue to commentator Jack Posobiec said at Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit on Saturday he wouldn't rest "until we go full Jan. 6 committee on the Jeffrey Epstein files."Trump's weekend post called on supporters to focus on investigating Democrats and arresting criminals rather than "spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein." His first-term national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, pleaded with him to reconsider."@realdonaldtrump please understand the EPSTEIN AFFAIR is not going away," Flynn Trump allies continue to push for answers, among them far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has called for Bondi to resign. She told Politico's Playbook newsletter on Sunday a special counsel should be appointed to investigate the handling of the files on Epstein, who was found dead in his federal jail cell in 2019 weeks after he was Speaker Mike Johnson told right-wing influencer Benny Johnson in an interview released Tuesday that he is "for transparency," and wants Bondi to "put everything out there and let the people decide." He said the Justice Department needs to focus on crime and other priorities, including elections and investigating ActBlue, the Democrats' top fundraising who study conspiracy theories warned more sunlight doesn't necessarily make far-fetched narratives disappear."For some portion of this set of conspiracy theory believers, no amount of contradictory evidence will ever be enough," said Josephine Lukito, who studies conspiracy theorists at the University of Texas at and his colleagues set their own trap The president and many figures in his administration - including Bondi, Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel - earned their political capital over the years in part by encouraging disproven conspiracy they're tasked with trying to reveal the evidence they'd long insisted was there - a challenge that's reached across the week, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin posted on X what seemed like an endorsement of a conspiracy theory that the contrails left by aircraft are releasing chemicals for potentially nefarious reasons. But a second post from Zeldin underscored the fine line the Trump administration is trying to walk by linking to a new page on the EPA website that essentially debunked the value of conspiratorial fabrications is they help people get political power, said Russell Muirhead, who teaches political science at Dartmouth College. He said Trump has been skilled in exploiting the Epstein case brings unique challenges, he said. That's because it's rooted in truth: A wealthy and well-connected financier did spend years abusing large numbers of young girls while escaping Trump needs to come forward with truth and transparency on the topic, Muirhead said. If he doesn't, "large segments of his most enthusiastic and devoted supporters are going to lose faith in him."A potentially costly distraction Trump's rivals have been taking advantage of right-wing fissures over sought to capitalize on the controversy, with several lawmakers calling for the release of all Epstein files and suggesting Trump could be resisting because he or someone close to him is featured in Democratic House Majority PAC on Tuesday emailed a memo that called out some House Republicans by name. It said they are "complicit" with the Trump administration because they had called for the Epstein files to be made public but then voted against a Democratic amendment to force their expressed concerns Trump's approach on Epstein could hurt them in the midterms."For this to go away, you're going to lose 10% of the MAGA movement," right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon said during the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on also the challenge of and Bongino had a tense exchange last week at the White House over a story about Epstein, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private Loomer, who's close to Trump, said Friday she was told Bongino was "seriously thinking about resigning." The FBI declined to the George Washington University professor, said it's alarming that the country's top law enforcement officials are feuding over a conspiracy theory."It's possible at some time voters are going to notice the things they want or expect government to do aren't being done because the people in charge are either incompetent or off chasing rabbits," he said. "Who is fulfilling the mission of the FBI to protect the American people?"
