Topline
President Donald Trump continued his attacks on his supporters criticizing his administration over its handling of the so-called Epstein files Wednesday, as a growing number of high-ranking Republicans and prominent right-wing voices—from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.—call for the documents to be released.
President Donald Trump returns to the White House from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 2025, … More
Key Facts
Calling his critics “weaklings,” Trump said on Truth Social his “PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker,” while repeating his recent talking point that the files are a “hoax” created by the “Lunatic Left.”
“All these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,” Trump wrote, adding “I don’t want their support anymore!”
Trump made the statement as criticism surrounding the Justice Department’s decision not to release the so-called Epstein files continued more than a week after the agency published a memo on its years-long investigation into Epstein that said it would not release any additional documents on the probe and reiterated its conclusion that Epstein committed suicide in jail.
Johnson, a staunch Trump loyalist, on Tuesday called on the White House to unveil more details on its Epstein findings, telling conservative podcaster Benny Johnson “we should put everything out there and let the people decide it” and Attorney General Pam Bondi “needs to come forward and explain.”
Trump has repeatedly urged his followers to move on from Epstein and has defended his top law enforcement officials—Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino—amid criticism they backtracked after previously promoting conspiracies about the investigation.
Contra
Some Republicans have fallen in line with Trump’s push to move on from Epstein, including seven on the House Rules Committee who opposed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., that would have required Congress to vote whether to release the documents. Johnson said earlier in the week he believed the White House will “make the right decision” before calling for more details on Tuesday.
Tangent
Bondi has become a target for Trump’s supporters angered by the DOJ’s decision not to release the files, with some calling for her ouster. Trump, however, has defended Bondi and said Tuesday he thinks she should put out “whatever she thinks is credible.”
Key Background
After some signs the backlash could be dwindling following Trump’s demands over the weekend to drop the subject, furor continued Tuesday, with Johnson’s reversal in particular signaling the controversy is growing. Greene and Johnson said they want Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell to testify before Congress, NBC reported, while Boebert told Benny Johnson a special counsel should be appointed if Trump doesn’t release the Epstein files. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk also dedicated his Tuesday show to discussing the Epstein controversy after saying a day earlier he wanted to stop discussing the topic, accusing reporters of twisting his words.
Further Reading
Trump Says He Doesn’t Understand Interest In ‘Boring’ Epstein Files: Here’s A Timeline Of Events (Forbes)
These MAGA Leaders Are Heeding Trump’s Call And Backing Off ‘Epstein List’ (Forbes)
Tucker Carlson Blasts Pam Bondi For ‘A Bunch Of Ludicrous Claims’ About Epstein Files—As Backlash Mounts (Forbes)
Trump Sounded Hesitant About Releasing Epstein Files In Newly Resurfaced Interview (Forbes)
Pam Bondi Under Fire From MAGA —Megyn Kelly, Laura Loomer And More—Over Epstein Probe (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/07/16/trump-rips-weaklings-who-criticize-f-his-handling-of-epstein-files/