President Donald Trump, long celebrated for his uncanny ability to dodge controversy through distraction and deflection, is finding that well-worn playbook increasingly ineffective as pressure mounts over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Unlike previous political storms — including two impeachments and a sweeping Russia probe — this time, the calls for answers are coming from within his own support base.
For years, Trump’s supporters have fueled conspiracy theories suggesting a government cover-up of Epstein’s ties to powerful elites. Yet, with Epstein dead since 2019 and no full transparency on his files, many of those same backers now see Trump as part of the obstruction.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll this month showed a majority of Americans believe the Trump administration is hiding information about Epstein’s case.
Attempts to pivot haven’t helped. Trump has dismissed the renewed scrutiny as “fake news,” claiming ignorance of Epstein’s affairs despite years of documented friendship. Publicly, he has blamed Democrats and the media, but frustration has clearly taken root among the far-right.
Republican strategist Erin Maguire noted, “For an administration that mastered narrative control, this is one they can’t shake.” Even Trump ally-turned-critic Geoff Duncan accused the president of running “a propaganda Ponzi scheme” that’s unraveling.
Efforts to redirect attention — including economic distractions at the Federal Reserve and fresh attacks on Barack Obama — have done little to blunt the public’s appetite for answers. Meanwhile, Democrats sense an opening, using the moment to expose rifts within the Republican Party.
Still, Trump’s core supporters remain loyal on key issues like immigration and the economy. Pollster Frank Luntz cautions against writing off the former president too soon: “We’ve seen this before — and he always finds a way to survive.”
