# Does Epstein Provide MAGA an Opportunity for an Honorable Exit? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [July 18, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042 "2025-07-18T14:57:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TheBryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@TheBryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBryan)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/41 "2025-07-19T03:25:24Z")
You know, maybe if I could figure out how to stop putting a “y” at the end of “ever”, my jokes might get a laugh or two. Reminds me of my conversation with my coworker Dough earlier today. His name was Dough Baker. Sorry, your Fozzie the Bear moment is now over. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/42 "2025-07-19T05:29:58Z")
Certainly a lot of MAGAs aren’t happy about Trump’s reneging on the Epstein files, but I doubt this will cause more than a tiny percentage to really turn against him. Most of the rest will continue to do what they’re doing now, which is blaming Bondi or others in the administration for mishandling the whole affair, before moving on to the next shiny object. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > We’ve now spent _ten years_ navigating through various of Trump’s scandals, revelations, etc., all of which have had people saying “_This_ will be what finally makes his supporters abandon him!” Nope, nope, nope. Yep. I remember all the way back in 2015 when he mocked a disabled reporter, thinking that that was the incident which was going to finally sink his candidacy. Pundits all along the political spectrum said that this was just too far beyond the pale and that even his most ardent supporters would have to step back, their heads hung in shame. Instead he became like an evil Obi-Wan Kenobi. Whenever something came along that appeared to have the potential to doom his political career, he just emerged more powerful than you could ever imagine. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/43 "2025-07-19T23:15:51Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I don’t actually pay attention to RW “news” sources so maybe my perceptions have been skewed by too much rationality. Actually I was basically using the Votemaster’s take on this. This all goes back to QAnon. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/44 "2025-07-20T02:07:59Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Certainly a lot of MAGAs aren’t happy about Trump’s reneging on the Epstein files, but I doubt this will cause more than a tiny percentage to really turn against him. Most of the rest will continue to do what they’re doing now, which is blaming Bondi or others in the administration for mishandling the whole affair, before moving on to the next shiny object. Agreed – those posts that are quoted around about MAGAs expressing upset or disappointment at Trump? They’ll fall back in the instant he provides the slightest cover for it. “Dammit, sir, you must tell us all”, they post? That really means "_please, make up something, anything, we can use to excuse sticking with you"._ They’re looking for whatever way to say “oh, look, man, you scared us, now we see we should have trusted you!” ---
**Author:** ![TheBryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@TheBryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBryan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/45 "2025-07-20T12:00:39Z")
There is a curious phenomenon at play. I’ve seen it play out a dozen times, but the most obvious was after the January 6th putsch. When something seriously goes against Trump, the cult is silent until someone tells them what to say. Once that happens, they all start echoing the same thing at the same time. I realized, once Trump came back from the putsch, that there was nothing he could say or do that would turn his followers against him. He could literally start nuking Democrat cities, and the cult would find a way to cheer him on. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/46 "2025-07-20T12:12:24Z")
If it was an exit ramp for them to get out of the cult and retreat from political life, never voting again, fine. But that’s not honorable, that’s just a way for society to shed a bunch of dangerous fascists and we should let them take the exit. But honorable would be to admit their mistake, acknowledge the harm they have caused, and work tirelessly to correct that wrong. For the rest of their lives. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/47 "2025-07-20T12:18:09Z")
> Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon, who last week [called](https://www.yahoo.com/news/bannon-calls-special-prosecutor-epstein-181022736.html) for a special prosecutor to be appointed to review the Epstein files, said on his “War Room” show Friday, “In fact, we made the recommendations that are the best for President Trump in this movement, which is President Trump is best when it’s attack, attack, attack. This is the deep state. This is the ruling class in America. They’re trying to use it to destroy President Trump.” > > On the podcast, Bannon asked MAGA podcaster and influencer Jack Posobiec, “Where are we in all of this, sir?” > > “We’re so back. Look. Everyone is firing on all cylinders. The MAGA movement is completely united behind this fight right now,” Posobiec [said](https://warroom.org/episode-4641-president-trump-goes-on-offense-and-sues-wsj-china-hackers-stealing-your-data/). > **[MAGA comes to Trump’s defense on Epstein after WSJ turmoil](https://www.yahoo.com/news/maga-comes-trump-defense-epstein-212408635.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&segment_id=DY_VTO_CLICKER_110&ncid=crm_31265-1526487-20250720-0--A&bt_ee=%2FGyz3%2FXq6DUJ%2FRFZAMkWA3uFN0lo8VHAkbqugxKaLQGqqDk5FcQxIzfAftoeyx4e&bt_ts=1753010053030)** > > Influential figures in the MAGA realm who have pushed the administration to release more documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case are coming to President Trump’s defense after The Wall Street Journal reported that the commander-in-chief allegedly... ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/48 "2025-07-20T12:24:09Z")
We’re nearing the “He did it but so what?” stage of the scandal. MAGA will simply hold its nose and say “Still better than a Democrat.” ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/49 "2025-07-20T12:37:32Z")
The next stage after that is to just pretend they don’t know what you’re talking about, they’re not sure who Epstein is and to say the libs have Trump derangement syndrome. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/50 "2025-07-20T15:48:37Z")
Or the MAGAts might just embrace (sic) the category. After all, rhere’s Andrew Tate. > **[Why MAGA Likes Andrew Tate](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/02/maga-likes-andrew-tate/681866/)** > > The same reason Trump likes tariffs: Both aim to put women in their place. Paywall, but the sub heading was perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/51 "2025-07-20T15:53:50Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Trump’s hesitation at releasing anything about Epstein might provide his MAGA base with a way to leave while saving face. I was never MAGA but I left the Republican Party when state legislatures started impeaching Democratic members for representing their constituents. And let’s not forget the 1/6 insurrection. And the attempts to substitute Republican slates of electors for the Democratic ones lawfully selected. If they are not going to leave MAGA because of its direct attack on American democracy, then why the hell would they leave because of Epstein? ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/52 "2025-07-20T16:00:59Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > If Trump started adhering to democratic norms, and kept it up month after month, that would be a problem for MAGA. I don’t think so. He could roll out universal healthcare, paid for by the government, and claim he was making good on his promise to get rid of Obamacare, and his base really would insist this was the most patriotic and capitalistic thing ever. Truth. Does. Not. Matter. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/53 "2025-07-20T16:13:25Z")
You can always tell when Trump is guilty; he starts crying “Hoax!!” and blaming Obama and others for the mess he’s gotten himself into. It gives his base a way to hold him blameless because he’s just a victim just like they are. I’ve said before that he will never have to pay for his crimes and never spend a day in jail. I’ll settle for him dying before I do. I think it’s a realistic goal, and while I likely won’t be able to piss on his grave, I will definitely do a happy dance. ---
**Author:** ![TheBryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@TheBryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBryan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/54 "2025-07-20T18:06:11Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > I don’t think so. He could roll out universal healthcare, paid for by the government, and claim he was making good on his promise to get rid of Obamacare, and his base really would insist this was the most patriotic and capitalistic thing ever. Truth. Does. Not. Matter. He could go full on communist. He could abolish religion, mandate abortion, and forbid the possession of private property, and MAGA will still claim everyone else is a “Marxist” or a “Leftist”. A wise man once told me to be very wary of anyone throwing around the term “Marxist” or “leftist” as a pejorative. Given the fact that I’ve debated with plenty of Marxists and leftists in the past, the idea that these ideologies exist in America is laughable. But our biggest danger right now is that these ideologies may just emerge as a backlash to MAGAs reactionism. If that happens, none of us are safe. ---
**Author:** ![knavette57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knavette57/32/3871_2.png) [@knavette57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knavette57)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042/55 "2025-07-20T18:07:01Z")
Come to think of it, that friend is very pro gun, and she might well have read the NRA propaganda. She detests Trump with all her soul, though. Your comment has given me much to think over, and I have many neighbors about me who love their guns. Which one of them will come for me? Sobering times… But I am pushing 70, and though I am energetic for my age, I just donate and vote. I am shocked at how violent our society has become, but that has always been true. It is just now it is more out in the open. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-epstein-provide-maga-an-opportunity-for-an-honorable-exit/1021042.md?page=2)