Jeffrey Epstein is one of the rare issues that appears to be a step away from his base by questioning why Trump remains in public interest in the case.
The Epstein Files reveal, Trump’s reaction
President Trump called for further disclosure regarding the Epstein case after many people requested the release of the so-called “client list.”
Loretta Duchenet has little faith in the government. That’s part of the reason she voted for Donald Trump last November.
The 35-year-old makeup artist from northern Louisiana said he felt Trump was “transparent” and “exposed corruption.” She is disappointed that the Trump administration has not released all records of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
“Now, if he doesn’t reveal that, it feels like he’s protecting someone or something,” said the independent Duchenene, who once voted for President Barack Obama.
Duchesne likes Trump’s policies, such as his stance on the border, and does not regret voting for him. But when it comes to Epstein, she says she won’t accept the official story about a wealthy financial figure who died in prison awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, and believes the administration will make mistakes and undermine its credibility by thwarting long-standing criminal cases, including minor victims.
Most of the Trump voters interviewed by USA Today share Duchesne’s desire to release more Epstein records, showing why, for the second-term president, who has a long, documented history of connection to Epstein, he is publicly questioning why such a deep interest in the man who passed away six years ago.
Epstein is one of the rare issues that makes Trump seem a step away from his base.
USA Today has spoken with seven Trump supporters, and most believe Epstein should be revealed and that the government hopes that it will be closer to documenting his case. Their suspicions continue despite the Justice Department’s release of a memo on July 7th.
The New York chief examiner ruled Epstein’s death as a suicide, but some, including many Trump’s loyalty, have questioned the discovery and whether the government is protecting Epstein’s potential clients from public places.
The DOJ memo reaffirmed the finding that Epstein had died of suicide, saying there was no “guilty client list” or evidence that he had threatened any well-known people. But instead of dispelling speculation about the incident, the memo inflamed things even more, putting the administration in a hot seat.
Shah Kinaston, 75, of Utah, said he doesn’t think Epstein committed suicide, saying he believes “he has a well-paid list that he’s probably preferred.”
“I think there’s a cover-up, but I don’t know how much,” said Kynaston, a retired federal worker who voted for Trump in all three presidential races in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Kynaston wants to release the Epstein file, but she still likes playing cards. The same applies to Victoria Rivas, 20, a student at the University of Miami and vice president of Ohio College’s Republican club.
“I think we deserve transparency,” Rivas said.
Trump recently called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to ask for the release of the testimony of the Great Epstein Jue Trial being conducted by the DOJ. But that’s part of an unreleased record, and isn’t enough for Rivas, a Trump voter who attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last year.
“It’s very loud and selective,” added Rivas, adding that he should only release the testimony of the big juice and release all Epstein records.
Ribas considers the first six months of Trump’s second term “many promises and many promises are kept,” but in Epstein she said he is short on the line.
Part of Trump’s problem is that people around him, including famous figures in his administration, have spent years spending the possibility of revelation of the Epstein Files’ bomb.
“Show us all your Epstein client list now!!” Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was posted on X in 2023.
The president was more surrounded by his Epstein comments.
In response to an interviewer with Fox News in June 2024, Trump said, “Yeah, yes, but he added:
Some Trump supporters who spoke to USA Today said they hope there is more to be revealed.
“It all has to come out,” Rivas said.
What Trump is receiving in Epstein raises questions about whether he will dent his image among his bases, potentially dragging Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. Ribas does not view the issue as “the biggest concern for our country,” and other Trump supporters have said the same.
Pennsylvania home builder Mark Bass, 65, said he didn’t think Epstein committed suicide, didn’t accept that there was no client list and thought managers should release more information. Still, the bass “e-e-e” about Trump’s presidency.
“I think he did a great job. He did more than he said he was trying to do. I don’t think this would make any difference,” said Basu, a Republican who voted for Trump in each of the last three elections.
But Trump has struggled to shake off Epstein’s problem, and after initially assaulting supporters who questioned his administration’s handling of lawsuits, the president and his team have been sought a way to appease critics. DOJ officials announced on July 22 that they were about to interview Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Louisiana makeup artist Duchesne said she was moderately disappointed with Trump’s handling of the Epstein incident. She wondered why she wouldn’t release a record if the truth was so “vanilla”.
“It makes me look at you sideways,” she said. “You’re deflecting. Why don’t you just release it?”
Contribution: Aisha Baguch
