‘Haven’t learned their lesson’: MAGA rift deepens as Trump lashes out at ‘past supporters’ over Epstein case, calls them ‘weaklings’

A growing split is emerging in the Republican ranks as US President Donald Trump lashes out at some GOP allies, accusing them of succumbing to Democratic “propaganda” surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.The controversy began after Trump criticised lawmakers who want to release justice department files on Epstein, a pedophile who died by suicide in 2019 and has been at the centre of many conspiracy theories.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump called these critics “weaklings” and said they had fallen “hook, line, and sinker” for a Democratic-orchestrated scam. He wrote: “Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bull***t’, hook, line, and sinker.” He added: “Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work … I don’t want their support anymore!”Trump argued that the focus on Epstein distracts from his achievements. “I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country’s history,” he wrote. “All these people want to talk about… is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.”Later, speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said that Attorney General Pam Bondi could release credible files but criticised “some stupid and foolish Republicans” for pushing too hard. He said: “They only want to talk about that ‘hoax’. Don’t give me their support.”

The demand for transparency has gained traction in Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson, alongside influence from former vice president Mike Pence and other Republicans such as Senators Anna Paulina Luna and Lauren Boebert, have urged the administration to publish the relevant documents.Pence told CBS News: “The time has come for the administration to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s investigation and prosecution. … Anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held up to public scrutiny.”In the House, Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie are pushing a discharge petition to compel a vote on releasing the files. This effort requires 218 signatures and is unlikely to proceed before Congress reconvenes in September.In a recent interview, Trump equated the Epstein investigation with other probes he views as politically motivated. “It’s all the same scam. They could look at this Jeffrey Epstein hoax also,” he said.He insisted the material only needed to be credible to be released. “In the case of Epstein, they’ve already looked at it and they are looking at it, and I think all they have to do is put out anything credible.”Trump aide and Attorney General Pam Bondi had said that there was no “client list” and also declined to comment on releasing additional files. Trump has urged her to exercise discretion in making any more documents public.