A look at the split in Trump’s base over the Epstein files

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• William Brangham:

  The handling of disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's case continues to roil the MAGA world.

  After repeatedly claiming that there were scandalous criminal details about Epstein being hidden from the public, now some of those same people, having joined the Trump administration, are saying there's nothing to see. But key figures from the president's base allege that a cover-up continues.

  Leading that charge is far right activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer. She told Politico that there should be a special counsel appointed to the Epstein case. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino have each stoked ominous conspiracy theories about what's referred to as the Epstein files, allegedly a secret list of powerful people who had connections to Epstein.

  But Patel, once he became FBI director, tried to temper expectations.

• Kash Patel, FBI Director:

  So on the Epstein matter or any other matters, we are diligently working on that. And it takes time to go through years of investigations, years of political maneuvering, and years of cover-up to get the American people what they deserve. And that's what I'm going to give them on everything.

• William Brangham:

  But then, last week, the Justice Department and FBI released a memo saying there was no client list and that there would be no more information disclosed.

  Parts of the MAGA base erupted. Influential right-wing broadcaster Alex Jones broke down in tears over the news.

  Alex Jones, Host, "The Alex Jones Show": And then for them to do so something like this tears my guts out.

• William Brangham:

  At a conservative political conference on Friday, FOX News host Laura Ingraham egged the crowd on about Epstein.

• Laura Ingraham, FOX News Anchor:

  How many of you are satisfied — you can clap — satisfied with the results of the Epstein investigation? Clap.

  (Booing)

• Laura Ingraham:

  How many of you are not satisfied with the results of the investigation?

  (Cheering)

• William Brangham:

  Ingraham told the crowd there was — quote — "some family disagreement" between the attorney general and Bongino.

• Laura Ingraham:

  Don't exaggerate what you don't got and don't overpromise and underdeliver.

• William Brangham:

  Patel has seemingly disavowed his earlier claims, writing that — quote — "The conspiracy theories just aren't true, never have been."

  President Trump argues that his administration and supporters shouldn't — quote — "waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about."

  But with this MAGA rift, Democrats see an opening.

• Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY):

  Democrats didn't put the Jeffrey Epstein thing into the public domain. This was a conspiracy that Donald Trump, Pam Bondi and these MAGA extremists have been fanning the flames of for the last several years. And now the chickens are coming home to roost.

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