Some Trump supporters are starting to lose trust over the Epstein case files and the lack of transparency surrounding them. The controversy has stirred disappointment among long-time backers who once saw Donald Trump as the leader who would expose corruption, not defend those accused of hiding it.
In recent weeks, Trump has faced new criticism, not from his usual opponents, but from his own base. A growing number of his long-time supporters are beginning to question his leadership after he publicly backed Attorney General Pam Bondi and her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files.
Several recent polls show a dip in Trump’s popularity. While he still maintains a core following, many others have voiced concern over how this issue is being dealt with and the growing silence around certain case documents.
The Epstein Files Stir Up New Doubts
For years, rumors and theories have circulated around the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. One of the most persistent claims is that Epstein kept a secret “client list” tied to a global sex trafficking network. This alleged list was believed to include some of the world’s most powerful figures.
These suspicions gained more traction after Epstein’s death, especially as certain case files remained sealed or were heavily redacted. Many believed the truth was being hidden, and that justice was being delayed or denied.
But last week, both Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice firmly denied the existence of any such list. They also confirmed that no new documents from the Epstein investigation would be released.
As the public speculation grew louder, Trump took to his platform, Truth Social, to comment. He blamed his usual political opponents and dismissed the attention given to the case.
“For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again,” Trump wrote. “Why are we giving publicity to files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the losers and criminals of the Biden administration?”
His words sparked more debate. For many, this didn’t sound like the man they supported in past elections, the one who promised to “drain the swamp” and challenge corruption head-on.
Trump may have hoped his base would move past this controversy, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. At the recent Student Action Summit, a conservative event organized by Turning Point USA, frustrations spilled into open conversation.
The Epstein case was one of the most heated topics at the summit. Conservative figures and everyday attendees alike voiced their skepticism about the official narrative and questioned why so little information was being released.
One of the speakers, podcaster Brandon Tatum, didn’t hold back.
“I think that these people, and I don’t know, for whatever reason, there could be reasons, but I don’t think they’re telling us the truth about Epstein,” he told the crowd.
Tatum continued, saying he believed Epstein’s actions likely involved many people in powerful circles. Some of them, he added, might even be individuals considered allies or insiders.
Disappointment From the Grassroots
The sense of betrayal wasn’t just coming from public figures. Ordinary voters felt it too. One attendee, 24-year-old Sharon Allen, shared her view during the event in Tampa.
“To me, it’s not even about Pam Bondi,” she said. “It’s like, look, Trump, we elected you because you were supposed to be different.”
Allen’s frustration centered on the idea that Trump, once viewed as the outsider willing to call out corruption, was now defending someone many saw as part of the establishment.
“You have to prove to us you’re different. You can fire her, Bondi, do whatever, but at the end of the day, Trump, you are president. We trusted you to get rid of these people and expose these people.”
Alongside the public frustration, new poll data supports the idea that Trump’s approval is starting to slip. According to a recent ActiVote survey conducted in June, only 45 percent of respondents said they approved of the job he is doing. Meanwhile, 52 percent expressed disapproval.
The survey included 523 adults and was conducted over the span of a month. The results gave Trump a net approval rating of -7, marking the lowest point in his second term so far.
While this drop is not as steep as some dips from his first term, when ratings once fell to 41 percent, it is still a concerning trend for his campaign team and advisors.
A Shift in Support
Although many still back Trump and believe in his ability to lead, there is a clear shift in tone from parts of his supporter base. For some, the defense of Bondi and the refusal to release more Epstein-related evidence feels like a betrayal.
Trump built much of his brand around transparency and accountability. Now, his critics say, he appears to be shielding people rather than exposing them.
The Epstein case has long been a flashpoint for people who feel justice is not being served. The secrecy, the high-profile names, and the unexplained events surrounding Epstein’s death all feed a sense of mistrust in the system.
When Trump’s administration, particularly someone as visible as Pam Bondi, steps in to shut down further inquiries or denies the existence of key documents, it clashes with the promise of full accountability.
To some supporters, this suggests that even their trusted leaders may not be willing to go as far as they expected when it comes to revealing the truth.
If Trump hopes to maintain and expand his base going into the next election cycle, he may need to address these concerns more directly. The current approach, pointing fingers at former presidents and political rivals, is not calming his doubters.
Many want action. They want names, answers, and evidence. Silence, denial, or redirection only fuels more speculation.
Trump’s campaign is still active, and his influence in the Republican party remains strong. But trust, once shaken, can be hard to rebuild. Especially among voters who saw him as the one person willing to tell the truth, no matter the cost.
Whether this loss of confidence over the Epstein case will have lasting effects remains to be seen. But for now, the disappointment is real. And if ignored, it could reshape the base that helped bring him to power in the first place.
