President Donald Trump ― a figure so immune to controversy, he’s earned the nickname “Teflon Don” ― may have finally met the one news story he can’t bluster his way out of.
No matter how hard he tries to either ignore it or change the subject, the president’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein won’t stop following him — and even part of his conservative base is having trouble grappling with it.
According to a Fox News survey released Wednesday, only 13% of people polled think the government has been open and transparent about the Epstein case, while more than five times as many (67%) disagree, including 60% of Republicans and 56% of MAGA supporters. One voter in five says they haven’t been following the case.
Why can’t the president’s most ardent supporters let go of the Epstein files? Why is this breaking through when there have been countless controversies before, including dozens of women accusing Trump of sexual misconduct and his being found liable in court for sexual abuse in 2023?
Below, we ask psychologists and therapists what’s going through the minds of Trump’s MAGA followers.
