It’s been smooth sailing for the most part. But this could make or break Donald.
Because he has been struck with the largest test of his presidency.
Growing Tensions Over Epstein Investigation Handling
The handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case by President Donald Trump’s administration has sparked significant discontent among his MAGA supporters, with some drawing parallels to the political fallout from former President Joe Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal.
A Rasmussen Reports poll shared with the Washington Examiner reveals that 56% of respondents reject the FBI and Justice Department’s claim that Epstein, a convicted sex trafficker who died in 2019, did not maintain a “client list.”
Additionally, 47% believe Epstein was murdered in his Manhattan jail cell, compared to 31% who accept the official ruling of suicide. The Justice Department’s July 7, 2025, memo, which found no evidence of a client list or blackmail and reaffirmed Epstein’s suicide, has fueled skepticism among Trump’s base, who expected greater transparency based on campaign promises.
Mixed Messaging and Public Distrust
The administration’s conflicting communications have intensified public and supporter scrutiny.
While the Justice Department and FBI concluded their review with no new actionable evidence, a simultaneous court filing with Judicial Watch indicated the Epstein case remains open, with additional documents still being uncovered.
This contradiction prompted Rasmussen Reports to post on X, “Congratulations again to the PR geniuses at The Justice Department,” highlighting perceived inconsistencies.
Prominent conservative figures, including Charlie Kirk, Megyn Kelly, and Steve Bannon, have publicly urged Trump to fulfill his pledge for full disclosure, with some speculating about connections to high-profile Democrats.
The lack of clarity has contributed to a broader erosion of trust, with 68% of likely voters in the Rasmussen poll believing “dozens of powerful and wealthy offenders” should face justice, compared to only 16% who view the case as closed.
Political Repercussions and Declining Approval
The Epstein controversy has coincided with a dip in Trump’s approval ratings, which Rasmussen Reports notes have shifted from a positive balance at the start of July 2025 to 47% approval and 51% disapproval.
This decline follows a turbulent period marked by Trump’s tariff announcements, which negatively impacted the stock market, though he had previously enjoyed positive sentiment after strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and the passage of his “big, beautiful bill.”
Pollster Mark Mitchell described the situation as a potential “Waterloo moment,” warning, “If it keeps going, this is his Afghanistan.”
Trump has attempted to downplay the issue, stating at a July 8 Cabinet meeting, “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years,” and calling questions about it “a desecration” amid other national priorities like the Texas floods.
Despite these efforts, the ongoing debate, amplified by allies like Kelly, who noted on X that “huge swaths of the party” oppose Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling, suggests the issue continues to challenge Trump’s administration.
