Welcome to the beat. I'm Melissa Murray in for Ari Melbour. We start tonight with the scandal consuming the Trump White House as MAGA leaders, top Democrats, and nonpartisan journalists demand answers about the Epstein files. This is new and dangerous territory for Donald Trump. As for the first time, he appears unable to control his own base. This morning, DC woke up to headlines like these. MAGA revolt. Trump discovers MAGA has no off switch. Trump and MAGA are no longer the same thing. Images of MAGA sup ...

Public Opinion & Political Impact - Reuters polling indicates 62% of Republicans believe the Trump administration is concealing information about Epstein's clients, and this figure rises to 70% among all Americans [4] - The situation is perceived by some within the MAGA base as a betrayal, leading to distrust of Donald Trump [3][9] - Trump's unusual anger towards his base and the base's rare anger towards him raises concerns within his administration [6][10] - The controversy surrounding the Epstein files has the potential to damage Trump's relationship with his base [14][17] Trump's Involvement & Response - There are suspicions that Trump is concealing something related to the Epstein files, possibly due to their past close relationship [7] - Trump's attempts to dismiss the Epstein issue are being met with resistance from his supporters [2][13] - Trump's past association with Epstein, including the numerous phone numbers listed in Epstein's phone book, is being scrutinized [7][8] Media & Public Discourse - Right-wing radio is amplifying concerns about the Epstein files and potential cover-ups [2][3][12] - The Epstein story has inherent interest beyond Trump's base and may have lasting ramifications [16][17]

Epstein Case & MAGA World - MAGA figures requested the release of flight logs and Epstein's black book [1] - Flight logs show Donald Trump's name appearing in two instances [2] - Gawker published a version of Epstein's black book in 2015, which included Donald Trump's contact information [3][4] - The core MAGA base views the Epstein case as fitting within their worldview of ending child trafficking [13] - Some in MAGA believe Epstein unlocks the reality of a global pedophile conspiracy and support Trump to defeat child trafficking [15][16] - Trump's perceived deception regarding the Epstein files has angered some MAGA supporters [17][18][19] Moren Comey's Firing - Moren Comey was fired without a given reason, which is considered cowardly [5] - There are suspicions that Trump is using Moren Comey as a scapegoat regarding the release of Epstein files [7][8] - It is suggested that Moren Comey should file a suit for wrongful termination [5] - Moren Comey is described as tough and competent, unlikely to back down [10] Investigation Timeline - The Epstein investigation was opened in December 2018 [8] - Charges were filed in July 2019, and Epstein died in August 2019 [9]

MAGA is eating itself alive over Jeffrey Epstein. So is Donald Trump himself for dessert. Joining us now, former Republican congressman and author of The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6, Denver Wgleman, managing editor of The Bull Work and MSNBC contributor Sam Stein and senior reporter for The Bull Work and author of Trust the Plan, the rise of QAnon, and the conspiracy that reshaped the world.Will summer. Well, this is um this fever swamp is the one that you dwell in most, so ...

Political Landscape & MAGA Divide - The MAGA fault line is widening due to President Trump's comments about his supporters regarding the Epstein files [1] - Elon Musk's X is fueling theories and dividing the MAGA base [2] - Some MAGA loyalists are breaking with President Trump over the Epstein issue [2][3] - Steve Bannon suggests that if the cover-up continues, 10% of the MAGA base could walk away, potentially leading to significant losses in future elections (40 seats in 2026 and the presidency in 2028) [9] - The MAGA base perceives Trump as defending the establishment, contradicting his anti-establishment image [11] Potential Impact on Elections - A depressed MAGA base could be bad news for Republicans in the upcoming midterms [13] - The Republican party heavily relies on its base to get elected [13] Epstein Controversy & Victims - The DOJ memo stated Epstein harmed over 1,000 victims [15] - The victims, particularly underage girls, have often been overlooked in the narrative [16][17] - The 2008 nonprosecution agreement was made without consulting the victims [16]

Political Commentary & Public Discourse - The report centers on President Trump's stance on the Jeffrey Epstein case and the reactions from his supporters, conservative media, and political commentators [2][4][5] - Trump dismisses the Epstein issue as a "hoax" perpetrated by Democrats, a claim disputed by various sources [1][5][12] - Key figures within the MAGA movement, including Charlie Kirk and Alex Jones, express disagreement with Trump's dismissal of the Epstein case, highlighting a divide within his base [21] - The report suggests the Epstein case has become a foundational belief within the MAGA movement, linked to broader conspiracy theories [13][14] Media & Information Analysis - The media reports conflicting messages from President Trump regarding the Epstein files and his supporters' concerns [3][4][5] - NBC and MSNBC reporting emphasizes the lack of evidence for an actual client list related to Epstein [9] - The report highlights the role of conservative media figures in pushing the Epstein narrative, contradicting Trump's claim of it being a Democratic hoax [22] Potential Political Ramifications - The report suggests Trump's handling of the Epstein case could alienate some of his most loyal supporters [2][16] - The report questions the logic behind Trump's strategy, suggesting it could lead supporters to question his credibility on other issues [26] - The report indicates that transparency regarding the Epstein case could win loyalty and support from voters [18]

I lost a lot of faith in certain people. Yeah, I'd lost because they got duped by the Democrats. Duped by the Democrats.Fact check. Trump and his MAGA followers were the ones pushing Epstein conspiracies. Seriously, we need to release the Epstein list.That that is an important thing. We have uh flight logs. We have information names uh that will come out.What names are in there, man. You understand how many powerful people probably want this thing to desperately go away. This is another government gangster ...

GOOD SHOW. >> WELCOME TO THE BEAT. I'M ANTONIA.HILTON IN TONIGHT FOR ARI MELBER. >> WE START WITH A MAGA RECKONING. DONALD TRUMP.RIPPING HIS OWN BASE IN A WAY WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. SLAMMING MAGA TRUE BELIEVERS AS, QUOTE, STUPID AND FOOLISH FOR DEMANDING ANSWERS ABOUT THE EPSTEIN FILES. IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY TURN.>> OF EVENTS. >> THE PRESIDENT, KNOWN FOR HIS. CULT LIKE POWER OVER HIS BASE, SUDDENLY ENGULFED BY THE VERY CONSPIRACY THEORY HE FUELED.TODAY IN THE OVAL OFFICE, TRUMP, TRYING TO DISTANCE HIMSE ...

Wyoming’s lawmakers thought they could escape the MAGA-fication of politics. They were wrong https://t.co/nNsFjoXs15 ...

And we begin with the cracks in MAGA world growing deeper as President Trump insists it's time to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein case. The calls for his administration to release its files on the notorious sex offender now moving from talk radio to the halls of Congress with some of his biggest supporters including the House Speaker urging the president and his attorney general Pam Bondi to change course. This has been the first fracture in MAGA and we don't want this to happen anymore.But President Trump ...