The long-anticipated release of the Jeffrey Epstein files has landed with a whimper, leaving supporters of former President Donald Trump and the broader MAGA movement grappling with the political implications. Despite months of speculation, the heavily redacted documents offered little new information, fueling both frustration and debate among the movement’s most devoted followers.

Expectations vs. Reality

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced over the weekend that the Trump administration was committed to transparency, claiming it was “the most transparent administration in American history.” The post focused on efforts to release documents related to the attempted assassination of Trump last July.

However, commenters quickly turned the discussion toward Epstein, expressing disappointment and anger over the limited content of the files. Many MAGA-aligned social media figures called the release a cover-up, highlighting the tension between promises of transparency and the reality of heavily redacted documents.

One conservative YouTuber tweeted: “I will vote for whatever President … campaigns on arresting Pam Bondi over the cover-up of the Epstein Files.”

Trump’s Coalition and Conspiratorial Thinking

Trump’s base increasingly includes voters drawn to skepticism of institutions and conspiratorial thinking. According to Joe Uscinski, associate professor of political science at the University of Miami, many in this coalition are less motivated by traditional Republican policies and more by narratives about corruption, sex trafficking, and elite misconduct, often amplified by Epstein-related conspiracies and QAnon.

“People don’t necessarily want documents released—they want documents released that confirm what they already believe,” Uscinski said.

Influencers and the Role of Social Media

Prominent MAGA influencers, such as Laura Loomer, Chaya Raichik, and Jack Posobiec, have helped keep Epstein conspiracies in the public eye. However, following the document release, many remained silent, sparking online debates and internal conflicts within the movement. Loomer claimed the files exonerated Trump, while others refrained from commenting altogether.

The silence among social media influencers highlights the fragility of Trump’s coalition, which relies heavily on younger, non-traditional Republican voters, sometimes referred to as “Joe Rogan listeners.” These voters were instrumental in supporting Trump in 2024 but may not be reliably loyal to the Republican Party in the long term.

Congressional Criticism and Next Steps

Unlike the influencer class, some members of Congress have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the files. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called the release “NOT MAGA,” while Rep. Thomas Massie criticized the Justice Department for failing to comply with congressional orders.

Massie, who spearheaded legislation to compel the document release, has joined forces with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna to push for greater transparency. He has suggested that Bondi could face legal consequences for ignoring the congressional mandate, potentially leading to further disclosures in the coming weeks.

Implications for Trump and the MAGA Movement

The underwhelming Epstein files release underscores the challenges facing the MAGA movement. While the files provided little actionable information, they exposed the movement to criticism from within and outside its base. Experts warn that the coalition built on skepticism, conspiratorial thinking, and celebrity influence may struggle to maintain cohesion without tangible political wins or revelations.

According to Jared Holt, senior researcher at Open Measures, “At the beginning of the year, MAGA was a triumphant cultural force. Now the train is falling off the tracks, and there’s no clear sign it will stabilize or rebound anytime soon.”

With hundreds of thousands of additional documents promised by the Deputy Attorney General before the end of the year, the Epstein story may not be over. However, the initial redacted release serves as a cautionary tale for Trump and his allies, highlighting the precarious nature of their coalition and the limits of political theater in sustaining long-term support.