Trump supporters burn Maga hats after he dismisses Epstein files furor as 'hoax'
Source: The Guardian
Thu 17 Jul 2025 11.53 EDT
Last modified on Thu 17 Jul 2025 13.47 EDT
Donald Trumps efforts to dismiss the criticism over his administrations handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files as a hoax showed no sign of working on Thursday as more prominent figures from across the political spectrum emerged to attack the US president and some of his supporters recorded videos burning their signature Make America Great Again hats.
Days after the Republican speaker of the House, the Trump loyalist Mike Johnson, called for the release of all documents relating to the late financier, a convicted sex offender and longtime former friend of Trumps, rebellion continued to simmer within the presidents normally diehard base.
Trumps former vice-president, Mike Pence, told CBS News on Wednesday that I think the time has come for the administration to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epsteins investigation and prosecution, while the conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a frequent close adviser to Trump, called for the appointment of a special counsel to handle the Epstein files investigation. Obviously, this is not a complete hoax given the fact that [Epstein associate] Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in prison in Florida for her crimes and activities with Jeffrey Epstein, who we know is a convicted sexual predator, she said.
The podcast host Theo Von, who attended Trumps inauguration and told Fox News it was inspiring, commented yeah what changed on a video of the vice-president, JD Vance, appearing on Vons show in 2024 and calling for the full Epstein list to be released. Even some of Trumps most loyal allies in Congress say they are not satisfied by his decision to not release additional files from the Epstein case.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/17/trump-jeffrey-epstein-republicans-maga

Irish_Dem
(72,498 posts)The MAGAs are true idiots, but useful idiots at this point.
we can do it
(12,928 posts)Irish_Dem
(72,498 posts)Even if it evaporates into thin air.
But the precedent is set.
The MAGAs can hate Trump with a passion.
slightlv
(6,137 posts)I don't really expect anything major coming out of this... and I detest the fact he can terrorize, maim, and kill so many and THIS is what might bring him down. Still, any port in the storm, as they say.
I'm going to enjoy whatever mileage I can get out of this... might help my BP a little bit!
Irish_Dem
(72,498 posts)mpcamb
(3,125 posts)mdbl
(6,959 posts)Because they are a bunch of hypocritical morons.
slightlv
(6,137 posts)Of any groups that back him, the hardest to get back to reality will be the fundamental extremists. They're seeing their best shot at creating a theocracy worthy of the 2nd coming, which they've been working towards for decades, right now with him. They're too far gone. Religion is one rabbit hole I fear is too deep to back out of on your own... and these people will never want help. Everything is explained by "God wills it so"... there is no response to that.
Bengus81
(9,028 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(166,499 posts)Having lost control of the Jeffrey Epstein story, the president is condemning his own supporters and allies as weaklings who have fallen for a hoax.
If Dems cooked up the Epstein files â a ridiculous idea, to be sure â wouldnât they have released the files, instead of leaving them on Bondiâs desk? And wouldnât they have included Trump to make him look bad?
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-07-16T17:36:06.432Z
Or would it make more sense to think that the existing files do make Trump look bad?
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-lashes-backers-epstein-debacle-dont-want-support-anymore-rcna219125
President Donald Trump on Wednesday disowned his supporters who have called for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, chiding them as weaklings who bought into this bulls---. The lengthy post on Truth Social represents the clearest split from the faction of his MAGA base that has questioned the Justice Departments handling of the case.
As part of a 243-word online tirade, which included odd but obligatory references to Hunter Biden, Hillary Clinton and Trumps Russia scandal, the president condemned the Epstein controversy as a SCAM and a Hoax created by his Democratic enemies, while admonishing his PAST supporters who take the story seriously.....
A few hours later, at a White House event, he kept this going, chastising stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:h7qtoo7nxqxarrsijohjhbw4/post/3lu3tqbgjyk2g
Link to tweet
.....But as Trump tries to bully the political world into submission, there is a follow-up question Id love to hear the president answer: If the whole Epstein story is an elaborate scam and hoax cooked up by Democrats, why was it embraced by so many members of his own team including Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy FBI Director Don Bongino? Is it the presidents contention that theyre all stupid, too?
FakeNoose
(37,932 posts)The only Americans who still believe in "Law and Order" are the DEMOCRATS. We believe our country has a system that was working and it was worth keeping. We're still trying to save it, in the face of Chump's disorder and destruction.
He'll be gone, the MAGAs will be gone .... and we'll still be here, working to save our country ... for ALL OF US!
Karasu
(1,646 posts)they MUST be true.
They are too delusional and divorced from reality to be anywhere near politics. Fuck the GOP.
wolfie001
(5,732 posts)These are sick, racist nasty "people"
Bengus81
(9,028 posts)after I turned 21. This is following the same script along with the missing 18...I mean 2-3 minutes of Epstein being murdered.
How long until Trump really starts firing lots of people like Nixon did?
This is a different level, though, because the Rs are too cowardly to go where Barry Goldwater went with Nixon.
Bengus81
(9,028 posts)timms139
(334 posts)of voters wasted their vote for something that won't put food on the table or insure folks keep their health plans. We can say a dead Epstien got Trump elected.
Wicked Blue
(8,136 posts)BlueSpot
(1,115 posts)Usually stuff they paid for. Anybody burning those silly watches or Bibles yet? I mean, who would want a Bible sold to them by a pedophile? Start a movement already.
Cha
(313,092 posts)Wide Burning Ceremony.. Say Go to Hell, Traitor