On July 15, 2025, the Washington political scene witnessed a dramatic showdown: House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican) openly turned against Trump, leading the charge to release Jeffrey Epstein's secret files. This staunch ally of Trump, who had previously shown unwavering support, stabbed him in the back at a sensitive moment, revealing rifts within the Republican Party and the fury of "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) supporters. The Democrats seized the opportunity to stoke the flames, almost forcing the House to vote on releasing the documents. What is really going on behind this Epstein scandal?

Johnson Betrays, Republican Rifts Explode

The story began on Tuesday. Johnson, in an interview on the Ben Shapiro podcast, publicly expressed support for "transparency," demanding that the Department of Justice fully disclose Epstein's files. This statement was no small matter, especially considering he had always been a loyal supporter of Trump, never publicly opposing him before. However, this time, facing Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi's claim that "the files are closed," Johnson couldn't stay silent, directly calling on Bondi to explain herself clearly. This wasn't a loyal ally, but rather someone openly undermining him.

Incidentally, Johnson's betrayal wasn't an isolated case. Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace, and Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie all opened fire on Trump regarding the Epstein issue. Greene even stated, "This contradicts Trump's promises; the American people can't accept it!" The anger of these MAGA hardliners ignited the powder keg within the Republican Party.

Trump's "Empty Promises" Spark Outrage

In short, Trump is reaping what he sowed. During his campaign, he swore that once he returned to the White House, the "client list" of Epstein would be made public. But now, the U.S. Department of Justice released a memo in early July stating that "there is no client list" and confirmed that Epstein died by suicide in 2019. This statement caused a backlash from MAGA supporters. On X, they roared, "Who is Trump covering up for?" Even former advisor Elon Musk publicly expressed dissatisfaction, and Trump's credibility looked like it was about to collapse.

What's more ironic is that Trump still supported Bondi on Tuesday, claiming she "handled it well" and unreasonably blaming previous Democratic administrations. This "blame-shifting" tactic clearly didn't work. MAGA supporters had hoped Trump would expose the scandals of the elite, but instead, they felt deceived. The open rebellion of allies like Johnson and Greene clearly reflected the pressure from public opinion.

Democrats Take Advantage of the Chaos, Play a Smart Game

The Democrats weren't idle either, seizing this "lifeline." California Congressman Ro Khanna introduced a resolution requiring the Department of Justice to release all Epstein documents within 30 days, which received full support from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. On Tuesday, they almost passed a procedural motion to force the House to vote. The Republicans barely managed to block it with a narrow 211 to 210 margin, but this also exposed their awkward situation: on one hand, they needed to protect Trump, and on the other, they had to appease angry voters.

Even more interestingly, the Democrats also played a "public opinion war." Congressman Hank Johnson played the guitar on X and sang a self-written song mocking Trump for "howling at the moon." The Democratic National Committee even created an X account, posting daily questions: "Has Trump released the Epstein files?" The answer was always "No." This move forced the Republicans into a corner.

Bondi's "List Scandal" Adds Fuel to the Fire

Speaking of Attorney General Pam Bondi, this "loyal follower" of Trump has caused quite a stir. In February, she confidently claimed on Fox News that the "client list" of Epstein was right in front of her, hinting that it would soon be made public. However, by July, she changed her tune, saying "there's no such thing." This contradictory statement directly ignited the anger of MAGA supporters. Even Johnson couldn't stand it anymore, demanding that she "come forward and explain." As for Bondi, when asked by reporters, she only said, "It has nothing to do with Epstein." This attitude was as clear as day: "There's no silver here."

Ultimately, Bondi's downfall wasn't accidental. After reviewing 300GB of data, the Department of Justice concluded that "there's no list, no conspiracy," but who would believe that? MAGA supporters firmly believe that Epstein's death and his "elite friends" are closely related. The more the Trump administration tried to hide, the more conspiracy theories spread.

Republicans Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Transparency or Cover-Up?

Behind this farce lies the dilemma of the Republicans, caught between a rock and a hard place. Legislators like Johnson, Greene, and Mace have to deal with the anger of voters while not wanting to completely offend Trump. South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman and Congressman Thomas Massie even attempted to bypass the leadership, joining forces with Democrats to push for the "rescission of petitions," forcing the House to vote. However, the Republican leadership, including Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Rules Committee Chair Virginia Foxx, were desperately protecting Trump, managing to suppress the vote.

But how long will this "delaying tactic" last? Voters' calls flooded the legislators' offices, and social media was filled with demands for the release of the documents. Mace stated, "In the past 100 hours, we've heard nothing but this!" Even far-right figure Stephen Bannon criticized the Trump administration's "cover-up" on a podcast. If the Republicans continue to drag their feet, they might lose their own base.

The File Controversy, Trump's Waterloo?

Putting it all together, the controversy over the Epstein files has gone beyond just a "transparency" issue; it's becoming a test of Trump's political credibility. Within just six months of taking office, his allies' rebellion and the anger of voters have already cast a shadow over his "Make America Great Again" slogan. The Democrats seized this emotional wave, playing the role of "petitioners," effectively turning Trump into a symbol of "covering up the elite."

What will be the outcome of this storm? In the short term, the Republicans may manage to suppress the vote through party discipline, but in the long run? If Trump continues to protect Bondi and refuses to release the files, the disappointment of MAGA supporters could evolve into a larger political crisis. After all, the patience of voters is limited, and how many more "empty promises" can Trump fulfill?

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7527469148020982307/

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