Trump’s chances of completing second term plunge amid backlash over handling of Epstein case
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump’s hopes of comfortably serving a second full term in the White House are facing new headwinds as the Epstein controversy re-emerges, and this time, the backlash is coming from within his own base.
Political analysts are reacting to a sudden wave of disillusionment among MAGA loyalists, driven by Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
The discontent has become so noticeable that UK bookmaker Star Sports revised Trump’s odds of completing his term downward this week, from 71.4% to 65.2%.
Donald Trump’s second term in jeopardy over Epstein scandal fallout
The odds of him leaving office this year jumped from 4.8% to 11.1%, according to Newsweek.
“The Jeffrey Epstein scandal is, for the first time, threatening Trump’s relationship with the GOP voting base and the wider MAGA Trump sphere,” said Star Sports analyst William Kedjanyi, adding that the latest odds shift was “directly tied” to the Epstein backlash online and in conservative circles.
The controversy began anew on July 6, when the Department of Justice and FBI publicly declared there was no “incriminating client list” connected to Epstein, reaffirming that he died by suicide in 2019. Many MAGA influencers rejected the statement, reigniting conspiracy theories and calling for full transparency.
Things escalated when The Wall Street Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi had informed Trump in May that his name appeared “multiple times” in sealed Epstein files.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung responded, calling it “another fake news story.” Still, the denial rang hollow for many within his movement, especially after Trump changed his tone.
On Lex Fridman’s podcast earlier in the year, Trump said he had “no problem” releasing Epstein documents. But after the DOJ’s statement, he called the story “the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,” accusing Democrats of weaponizing it.
JUST IN—President Trump tells Lex Fridman he would "be inclined to do the Epstein thing" and that he would have "no problem" releasing the Epstein list of people who visited the island. pic.twitter.com/EsADWt9pdo
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 3, 2024
Amid backlash from the MAGA base, Trump slightly walked it off, stating, “Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval.”
Critics were quick to note that Grand Jury testimonies are typically limited in scope, often lacking full evidence or supporting documentation.
US House speaker ends White House session to block push for Epstein document release
Further fueling the frustration, House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly adjourned Congress for summer recess just as members of both parties were pushing to declassify additional Epstein-related documents. The move was widely viewed as an attempt to protect Trump from further scrutiny.
Johnson defended the decision, accusing Democrats of “political games.”
“There are frustrations that Trump, having been one of the most vocal on this issue, has turned full circle against it,” said the political analyst. “A lot of his online followers are very disappointed at the lack of any movement and are upset at the way Trump has dismissed questions about Epstein.”
However, with Congress scheduled to return from recess in September, bipartisan calls to unseal Epstein-related documents are likely to grow louder.
