Donald Trump’s reluctant agreement to release the Epstein files this week is arguably more damaging to his political image than anything actually contained within them.
There’s little reason to believe the files hold a “smoking gun” against him—if they did, it would likely have emerged already given how many people, including adversaries, have had access over the years.
What’s striking, however, is the optics. The episode highlights a weakening grip over the MAGA movement—a base Trump has long wielded like an iron fist.
The fact that senior aides feel the need to declare, publicly, that he remains “the unequivocal leader” says it all.
Campaign Promises Versus Reality
Trump once vowed to release the Epstein files before last year’s election, fueling wild theories among the MAGA faithful.
Yet, once back in power, he dismissed the idea as a “Democratic hoax.”
This sudden flip left supporters wondering if he had something to hide, even if he probably didn’t.
Attempts to push through his agenda weren’t limited to the Epstein files.
Trump leaned heavily on key MAGA figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, reportedly pressuring them in the White House Situation Room.
Even so, resistance from his own allies forced him to concede, with Congress approving publication overwhelmingly.
A Series of Setbacks in the GOP
The Epstein files episode is just one example of Trump’s recent struggles to exert influence.
He urged Indiana and Kansas Republicans to revisit redistricting plans to benefit the GOP, but both states rejected him.
On Capitol Hill, his efforts to scrap the Senate filibuster met with similar resistance.
Policy positions are also stirring tensions within the MAGA base.
Support for H-1B visas and overseas interventions—from the Middle East to Venezuela—has alienated the faction that once backed Trump unconditionally.
Fissures Within the MAGA Movement
The rifts are growing beyond Epstein or policy disagreements.
MAGA’s outer circle has become obsessed with internal feuds, often prioritizing attacks on fellow conservatives over Democrats.
Figures like Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Ben Shapiro, among others, have fueled online spats, escalating divisions for clicks and attention rather than political gains.
Trump, for his part, has been slow to rein in these divisive voices, even as extremist rhetoric—ranging from anti-Semitism to white supremacy—gains visibility.
Without firm leadership, MAGA’s coherence risks further erosion.
The Real Threat Comes From Economic Reality
Beyond internal strife, the bigger challenge for Trump is tangible and personal for voters: affordability.
Promises of falling prices ring hollow when grocery bills, rents, utility costs, and healthcare premiums continue to climb.
Everyday economic pressures resonate more than culture wars or identity politics.
Recent elections have shown that voters respond to issues that hit their wallets.
Moderate Democrats and even some self-styled socialist candidates have won by focusing on the cost-of-living crisis.
Prices for beef, coffee, bread, and health insurance are rising steadily, while home ownership remains out of reach for many young families.
MAGA’s Approval Ratings Show the Strain
Trump’s approval among his core base has dropped from 47 percent on Inauguration Day to 38 percent.
Disunity within MAGA, combined with economic frustrations, poses a major hurdle for next November’s midterms.
The Epstein files, internecine feuds, and resistance on Capitol Hill all compound the problem.
While Trump may not be able to control the antics of MAGA provocateurs or the contents of old files, he can—and must—address affordability.
Without concrete action, the movement’s momentum will falter, leaving him a weakened figure long before the next election.
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