Reference News Network July 24 report: The U.S. "The Hill" newspaper website published an article titled "Trump Trapped on 'Epstein Island'" on July 22. The author is Brad Bannon. The article excerpts are as follows:
For Donald Trump, it's the best of times and the worst of times. He clapped his hands in celebration over the passage of his huge budget bill and tax-cut plan. However, with the old story of Jeffrey Epstein's list being brought up again, he faced backlash. Now, instead of enjoying the Republican glory from defeating the Democrats, he is deep in a dirty sex scandal quagmire.
The ongoing controversy about Trump's relationship with Epstein reveals two key issues that Trump faced during his second term. First, the president violated the promises he made to the American people during his 2024 campaign. Second, he has always extremely relied on his most loyal supporters in times of difficulty, but the once solid "Make America Great Again" base now faces the danger of disintegration.
Trump's refusal to fulfill the promise of releasing the Epstein list has alienated many of his most steadfast supporters, such as right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson. The betrayal of his base will eventually come back to haunt him and other Republicans in 2026 and 2028.
Trump's failure to fulfill his campaign promises may weaken the support of independent voters who voted for him last year. The key to Trump's success has always been his ability to inspire his base, but the division within the "Make America Great Again" camp makes this difficult to achieve.
To rebut the accusation that he was on Epstein's list, Trump took almost absurd defense methods. He denied the existence of the list he had promised to release, and claimed that this "non-existent list" was fabricated by Biden, Obama, and others. His National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard - an important figure in Trump's farcical play - tried to shift public attention away from the "EpsteinGate," claiming without basis that Obama had attempted a coup to overthrow Trump.
The only factor preventing Trump's approval rating from plunging to the depths of the Pacific Ocean is the blind loyalty of members of the "Make America Great Again" camp. They used to remain loyal to him regardless of fortune or adversity.
Trump even belittled the members of the "Make America Great Again" camp: "My past supporters completely believed in this nonsense... let these wimps go ahead and work for the Democrats... I don't want their support anymore..."
The accumulation of unfulfilled campaign promises and the internal division within the "Make America Great Again" camp could bring serious problems to the president, Republican candidates in the 2026 (midterm elections), and the Republican presidential candidates in 2028.
If the Democrats can take control of the House of Representatives, and consequently conduct investigations into the Trump administration, it could make Trump lame in the last two years of his term. The division within the "Make America Great Again" camp could lead to a fierce battle in the 2028 Republican presidential primary.
Trump is trapped on "Epstein Island," and what awaits him is certainly not a simple three-hour tour. (Translated by Liu Zongya)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530619702645752356/
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