Trump’s Epstein problem could expose a GOP malaise
CNN
The big question on the tips of many political watchers’ tongues right now is whether the Trump administration’s botched handling of the Epstein files will do what virtually nothing has yet: turn President Donald Trump’s devoted base against him.
The big question on the tips of many political watchers’ tongues right now is whether the Trump administration’s botched handling of the Epstein files will do what virtually nothing has yet: turn President Donald Trump’s devoted base against him. Through a multitude of controversies over the years – including a violent Trump-inspired uprising at the US Capitol, multiple indictments and a conviction on 34 felony counts – that base has stood resolutely and almost unshakably in his corner. The more apt question, though, is whether the Epstein saga exacerbates an already looming malaise on the right. Because the seeds of this problem had already been planted and fertilized. While Trump’s overall approval rating among Republicans remains high, significant numbers of them disapprove of his handling of a range of issues. Many of his early actions have been unpopular with a significant cross-section of Republicans. And even with the big policies that appear to have widespread GOP backing, that support appears shallow. Trump has also taken a series of actions in recent weeks that appear to be out of sync with where much of MAGA has stood – including striking Iran, a big-spending agenda bill and funneling more weapons to Ukraine.
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A federal judge in Florida ordered the unsealing of grand jury transcripts and other records in the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein granting the Justice Department’s request.
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