Trump's base feels humiliated because they were played for suckers -- and they know it

[justaprogressive]

The good news is that Democrats have found the wedge issue that can shatter the MAGA coalition.

The bad news is that it’s Jeffrey Epstein.

The Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell focus-grouped 2024 Trump voters who are disillusioned with Trump over the notorious FBI/Department of Justice memo that effectively closed the Epstein case.

The memo made it clear that they will not be releasing any more documents or pursuing cases against Epstein’s friends. It declared that there was no client list, no jailhouse murder, and no international blackmail ring.

This is all true, but to the QAnon base, it’s akin to the Pope tweeting, “We’ve reviewed the files and Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. Thank you for your attention in this matter.”

There’s no coming back from that.

MAGA’s headed for schism.

Longwell asked the group whether they thought Trump cynically hyped the Epstein story or whether he was in on the conspiracy.

Overwhelmingly, they thought Trump was in on it.

This is a potentially explosive finding.

Normally, it’s impossible to get Trump supporters to believe that Trump has ever made the slightest misstep, but here we have former MAGA's declaring that The Donald’s in league with ultimate evil.

https://www.alternet.org/alternet-exclusives/trump-is-undermining-his-own-authority/

(turn off JS)

[BoRaGard]

1. "Ha ha. Welcome to the Suckers and Losers club. Ha ha." - G.O.P. Felon-in-Chief and Kronies (R)

[Aristus]

2. If the worm is turning, I doubt it's turning enough to make a ripple.

These people are incapable of learning, or admitted they were wrong. I wonder how many laments about Trump's pedophilia in company with Epstein will be accompanied by "I still support him, because he's doing good things for the country"?

[usonian]

5. I don't think it's so much about his pedophilia (Jesus Forgives, eh?) but the unforgivable:

covering up "evidence" of the Dem sex trafficking and blood-drinking ring that they are 2000% sure is real.

Those conspiracy theories are like addictions. You can't take that drug away.

[Fullduplexxx]

3. Apparently people still don't realize with whom they are dealing

[patphil]

4. Even MAGAT's know that Trump "likes them on the young side".

Apparently, the MAGAT's draw the line at pedophilia.
Don and Jeff were best buds, and we know how Jeffery Epstein operated.
Not releasing the Epstein records implies Trump has something to hide. So now a campaign promise will be broken, and the toilet in the oval office will be flushing constantly.

[Grins]

18. Beat me to it.

Putin caught ass-fucking Trump bent over the Resolute desk? The base: “Meh…”

[calimary]

20. Very likely.

Hey, can’t help it - that I automatically find myself looking askance at anything the GOP wants or advocates or implements (or tries to).

Can’t help it. I’m in my early 70s and I’ve been watching and taking note (and in earlier days, I reported on it) long enough to be suspicious first, and then wanting to check it out to see if my suspicions were confirmed.

With the GOP in total charge in House, Senate, and White House (at least FOR NOW), I have MANY more suspicions than I otherwise might have. (Cuz when Repubs are in charge, they generally care more about what benefits the haves, while the have-nots are more likely to be ignored and/or kicked to the curb.)

[Dan]

6. And if an Election was held tomorrow

They would still vote for him.

[Golden Raisin]

9. Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

You beat me to it. And they'd continue in future to vote Republican straight down ballot (Fed/State/Local) all the way to dog catcher.

[JI7]

11. Yup, they will just say things like . I have my issues with Trump

but we can't have a communist or other excuses. If it's a woman candidate they will complain that she laughs.

[Bev54]

7. I am not sure whether they have the capacity to feel humiliation.

They don’t seem to have much insight. It seems to me they are ride or die no matter what.

[JI7]

12. Right. I don't think the feeling is humiliation

but just angry that the conspiracy they think exists isn't being exposed.

[mwmisses4289]

14. I suspect a lot of them actually admire the idjit

because of the possible pedophile stuff.

[eShirl]

8. hopefully they'll turn their anger where it belongs for once

[OrlandoDem2]

10. They were played on everything.

The vast majority of those detained by ICE are not hardened criminals. They are our neighbors and community members.

Trump promised to leave Medicaid alone. He is gutting it.

He promised to end the war in Ukraine. Now it appears he’s sending them Patriot missiles which would be a big win for Zelensky.

Trump promised to release the Epstein files. He is turning the GOP into the party of pedophilia. Seriously. The republicans protect child rapists. It’s very easy to understand.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. Couldn't Read The Whole Article, But....

...I'd bet $100 that 75% of these "disillusioned" MAGA voters would still vote for him, still vote straight R, and wouldn't vote D at gunpoint.

[justaprogressive]

23. To read whole article:

(turn off JavaScript)

[ProfessorGAC]

24. Don't Lnow How To Do That

But, that's ok. I get the gist.

[BaronChocula]

15. I'd wait to clink glasses on this one

This moment is just a single snapshot. It doesn't tell us:
-How many of the dopes feel betrayed
-How long the dopes will continue to feel betrayed
-How deeply the betrayal will impact their voting patterns

But I'll settle for whatever current emotional discomfort this causes Krasnov Pantscrapovitch.

[cstanleytech]

16. The more the MAGAs are butthurt in any way the more I smile and that's the only plus of carrot top being back in office.

[Layzeebeaver]

17. Instead of FAFO, it's now...

FAWUGFO

Underaged.

[IbogaProject]

19. The powers that be got their tax cut and are becoming fed up with their fool

So they are quietly shifting the narrative in preparation of trying to push him out.

[IcyPeas]

21. His base wore diapers and fake ear bandages and dress

up like clowns at his rallies....

Humiliated? I think not.

[Arazi]

22. I don't think so. They're already rationalizing it

Cult indoctrination is tougher to shake off than that.

From Reddit (r/conservative): iow, batshit ridiculous but they have to spin it somehow

The DOJ and FBI have been quietly building a massive criminal conspiracy case against the Deep State. It covers the full window from 2016 to 2024. Targeting the sabotage of Trump from the very beginning.

Pam Bondi may be days away from naming a special prosecutor. That would allow indictments to be brought outside DC. Florida is in play.
That changes the jury pool and the battlefield.

Here’s the part nobody in the media wants to touch.

The Epstein network is reportedly connected to this case. Not just for the island crimes, but because people linked to Epstein allegedly used blackmail and leverage to help drive the lawfare against Trump. Some of those names are powerful and still active. If Trump drops the full list now, it could cause chaos and derail the entire case.

That’s why he’s holding it. Not to protect the guilty, but to protect the investigation.

And here's the twist.

Matt Gaetz flew into DC this weekend, reportedly at Trump’s personal request. He skipped a major Turning Point event and instead took a private meeting with the President. Some insiders say Gaetz may be under consideration as a special prosecutor. That would be a lightning strike.

Trump, Bondi, and Gaetz are all playing roles behind the scenes. If this flips, it won’t just be payback. It’ll be exposure on a historic level.

Watch the next 14 to 21 days. If a special prosecutor is named and the indictments move to Florida, you'll know this is the real deal.

They tried to destroy Trump with hoaxes, lawfare, and lies. Now the trap they set is springing on them.