Epstein Case Continues to Stir Conspiracies in MAGA Circles

When prominent MAGA commentator Jack Posobiec visited the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, in February, he hoped to uncover new details about Jeffrey Epstein's case. Instead, he and other supporters were met with recycled, publicly available information. Frustrated, Posobiec took to social media, expressing his disappointment with the handling of the Epstein scandal.

"We were all told more was coming. That answers were out there and would be provided. Incredible how utterly mismanaged this Epstein mess has been. And it didn't have to be," Posobiec wrote on July 7th. His sentiments echo the widespread belief among MAGA loyalists that key truths about Epstein's life and death are being concealed.

Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, died by suicide in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His case has since become a lightning rod for conspiracy theories, particularly within the MAGA movement, where it is seen as evidence of a corrupt "deep state" controlling government institutions.

On a recent Breitbart News podcast, Posobiec explained that for many MAGA supporters, the Epstein case symbolizes a broader systemic rot. "It's not that they care about Epstein personally," he said. "It's that they care that there's this optic that Epstein was somehow involved with a shadowy system that actually has control over our government, control over our institutions, control of our lives, and really is a ruling power over us."

Over the years, rumors have circulated that Epstein's files contain a "client list" implicating high-profile figures in his alleged crimes. Former President Donald Trump has occasionally fueled these speculations, promising during his 2020 campaign to release Epstein-related documents. However, after taking office, Trump appeared to downplay the case, calling it "sordid, but it's boring" and blaming Democrats for keeping it in the spotlight.

The Epstein case has been intertwined with other conspiracy theories, such as Pizzagate and QAnon, which allege that a global elite is involved in child trafficking. According to Mike Rothschild, author of *The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult and Conspiracy of Everything*, Epstein is often portrayed as a central figure in these narratives. "Epstein is seen as one of the major players in a global 'paedo elite' that's been trafficking children for centuries, and that Q and Trump were supposed to put an end to once and for all," Rothschild told the BBC.

Despite these theories, official statements from the Department of Justice and FBI have dismissed the existence of a "client list" and reaffirmed that Epstein's death was a suicide. Yet, a segment of the MAGA base remains deeply invested in the case, with some, like former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, suggesting Epstein had ties to Israeli security services. These claims have occasionally veered into antisemitic territory, further complicating the discourse.

Trump, meanwhile, finds himself caught between satisfying his conspiratorial supporters and moving past the Epstein saga. His recent legal action against *The Wall Street Journal* over a report detailing a "bawdy" birthday message he allegedly sent Epstein in 2003 highlights the ongoing tension. As the Epstein case continues to loom large in MAGA circles, Trump's ability to navigate these waters remains a test of his influence over his base.

Watch: How are Americans reacting to Trump's handling of the Epstein files?