Former President Donald Trump publicly expressed confusion and frustration this week over the persistent obsession many of his own supporters have with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Speaking to reporters in a brief exchange, Trump said he couldn’t understand why so many of his base remain focused on what he described as “old news” and “pretty boring stuff.” According to Trump, the Epstein saga is something that should have already faded from public conversation.
“I don’t really get it,” Trump said, shaking his head. “People talk about Epstein like it just happened. He’s gone. It’s pretty sordid, but honestly, pretty boring stuff. I don’t know why people are still interested.”
His comments come amid growing pressure from conservative activists and influencers who have spent months demanding full disclosure of sealed Epstein-related court documents and investigation files. Many in Trump’s base believe there are still major secrets being hidden, and that those files could expose powerful elites tied to Epstein’s trafficking network. Social media campaigns like #ReleaseTheList continue to trend regularly, as supporters insist that transparency around Epstein’s connections is a moral issue—and, in some circles, a litmus test for political loyalty.
Trump, however, dismissed such narratives during his exchange with reporters, suggesting that only “fake news” media and “pretty bad people” are pushing the Epstein angle for political reasons. He reiterated his confidence in Attorney General Pam Bondi, who currently oversees the Justice Department’s ongoing classification review of Epstein-related files. “I think Pam’s doing a fantastic job,” Trump said. “She knows what she’s doing.”
When asked whether he would personally support releasing more Epstein records, Trump said he’d be open to declassification—if credible information exists—but made it clear he believes the topic is being overhyped. “Anything that’s credible, sure. Release it. But I think people are wasting a lot of time on this.”
That stance, however, has created a noticeable rift inside Trump’s movement. Popular conservative commentators and some members of Congress have criticized what they perceive as stonewalling by the Justice Department and a lack of urgency from Trump himself. Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump recently voiced concern during a media interview, stating that Americans deserve answers about who was connected to Epstein’s operations, regardless of political affiliation or status.
In Congress, a growing number of Republican lawmakers are now calling for hearings, subpoenas, and even a special counsel to review what some are calling the “largest cover-up in American history.” House Oversight Chair James Comer, along with other high-profile figures, has begun signaling interest in forcing public disclosure of the client lists and sealed testimony from Epstein’s associates. So far, the Justice Department has resisted such calls, citing national security concerns and active investigations.
Trump’s attempt to sideline the issue as a “distraction” is proving increasingly difficult as many within his own MAGA base insist that justice won’t be served until the full truth is made public. Supporters argue that uncovering Epstein’s network isn’t just about accountability, but about restoring faith in a government they view as compromised.
For now, Trump appears to be walking a careful line: showing deference to his Attorney General while publicly trying to steer attention back to his broader 2024 agenda. Yet, the Epstein controversy is proving resilient, threatening to fracture parts of his coalition at a critical moment in his political comeback.
Whether Trump’s dismissive tone will cool his supporters’ outrage or further alienate them remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the Epstein files—and the demand for their release—aren’t going away anytime soon.
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