In a mind-bending Truth Social post, Trump cast anyone still interested in the Epstein scandal — which he promoted — out of the MAGA movement.

For years, President Donald Trump and his Republican allies benefited from conspiracy theories that fueled the conservative MAGA movement and targeted his political enemies.

The president is digging in his heels on the issue even as his most fervent supporters turn against his stance on the convicted pedophile who was once his close friend.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., introduced an amendment to a cryptocurrency bill set for a House vote this week that would compel Attorney General Pam Bondi to "retain, preserve and compile" Epstein-related records and release them within 30 days.

Like sex trafficking panic more broadly, the Epstein files are a useful political tool—as long as they remain hidden.

President Donald Trump outraged many of his supporters after the Justice Department published an unsigned memo saying it would not release any more documents related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. For years, Trump and some members of his administration fanned conspiracy theories about the content of the files.

Right-wing influencers now have to choose between authenticity to their brand, and their loyalty to Trump.

President Trump is facing a MAGA backlash over Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump’s broken 2024 pledge to release all files. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports, joined by New York Times’ Emily Bazelon and Michael Grynbaum.