'No win situation for Trump'? MAGA base and Dems push for release of Epstein files
MSNBC·2025-07-18 21:45

Political Analysis - The Epstein case is described as an unstable compound that could backfire on anyone trying to exploit it for political gain [7] - The situation is difficult to control, making promises related to it risky [7] - The Epstein story is overshadowing other issues important to the MAGA base, such as Iran, Ukraine, and Israel [8] - Some MAGA voters feel that Trump is not fulfilling his campaign promises [9] - Trump's association with Jeffrey Epstein poses a real problem for him, especially if evidence contradicting his denials emerges [14][15][16] Media and Public Perception - The Trump administration is trying to downplay the Epstein issue, but it is not going away [1][2] - Releasing more documents related to the case could backfire if redactions fuel conspiracy theories [12] - Trump is attempting to rally his supporters by portraying the media as attacking him with "fake news" [19] - The Epstein case is deeply connected to Trump's image as a champion against injustice, making it difficult for him to go on the offensive [21] - There is a disconnect between the Trump White House staff and the voters regarding the importance of issues like the Epstein case [23]