Egypt Daily News – U.S. President Donald Trump has once again found himself at the center of controversy, as renewed public interest in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal has cast a shadow over his attempts to steer the national conversation elsewhere. Despite a barrage of political attacks, sensational social media posts, and the declassification of historical documents, critics say Trump’s efforts to distract from lingering questions about his past ties to Epstein are proving increasingly ineffective, even among segments of his own supporter base.
In recent weeks, Trump has launched a series of provocative moves aimed at reshaping the news agenda. He has revived attacks on former President Barack Obama and Hunter Biden, son of current President Joe Biden. Trump also published FBI investigation documents related to Hillary Clinton and shared newly declassified files on the 1968 assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
However, these actions have failed to quell the rising interest, particularly among conspiracy theorists within his base in the so-called “Epstein list,” a rumored document allegedly linking Epstein to elite figures across politics and business. Epstein, a convicted sex offender accused of operating a child trafficking ring, died in jail under suspicious circumstances in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump recently circulated a deepfake video on his Truth Social platform, portraying Obama being arrested and laughing maniacally. Though presented with apparent humor, the video is part of a growing wave of AI-generated propaganda that critics argue is being used to divert public attention from more serious inquiries.
“These are increasingly desperate moves,” said Dr. René Lindstaedt, a political analyst at the University of Birmingham. “Trump’s playbook of media distraction and conspiracy has worked in the past, but it’s starting to wear thin, even among his most devoted followers.”
Epstein’s Shadow
Despite Trump’s long history of trying to link Democratic rivals to Epstein, a portion of his base remains frustrated with what they see as his reluctance to fully expose the scandal. Many are demanding the release of the full “Epstein list” a list that, while unverified, has taken on near-mythical status among conspiracy theorists.
According to reports, a number of Trump supporters feel let down by the lack of transparency and suspect the former president may be trying to bury his own alleged connections to Epstein, who had a sprawling network of contacts that included politicians, business moguls, and celebrities.
On July 18, former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released what she claimed were documents proving Obama orchestrated the 2016 “Russia hoax” against Trump. Right-wing media outlets such as Fox News amplified the announcement, touting it as a bombshell revelation. Yet even this failed to satisfy conspiracy-minded supporters who remain fixated on Epstein.
“In this ecosystem, even bringing back Obama isn’t enough,” said Lindstaedt. “Trump has used these figures Obama, Clinton, Biden so often, they’ve lost shock value. What his supporters want now is something new, something decisive: the Epstein disclosures.”
Familiar Targets, Fading Impact
In a barrage of posts on July 21, Trump lashed out at Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Hunter Biden, accusing them of corruption and moral depravity. He also called on two major U.S. sports teams to revert to their former, racially insensitive names—another move interpreted by analysts as an effort to stoke cultural tension and distract from Epstein-related queries.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the release of FBI documents pertaining to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign investigation, while Gabbard advocated for the declassification of files related to Dr. King’s assassination. Media commentators noted that these releases appeared to be coordinated to give the impression of transparency, something Trump’s supporters demand in the Epstein case.
But civil rights leaders saw through the smokescreen. “Let’s be clear: publishing documents about Martin Luther King’s assassination is not about justice or transparency,” Rev. Al Sharpton told NBC News. “It’s about distraction.”
Epstein’s ‘Black Book’ Includes Trump Family Contacts
The controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein continues to reverberate across U.S. political and media spheres, with new details emerging about the notorious financier’s “black book” of contacts. Among the names listed are members of former President Donald Trump’s family, including his first wife Ivana Trump, their daughter Ivanka, and his brother Robert Trump. The book also contains entries for celebrities and prominent figures such as Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, actor Alec Baldwin, Ethel Kennedy, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Naomi Campbell, and Courtney Love.
This revelation comes amid a volatile media environment where Trump has been engaged in a bitter dispute with The Wall Street Journal. The publication recently released a report alleging that Trump sent Epstein a 50th birthday card featuring a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, accompanied by the note, “May every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump vehemently denied these claims, stating, “I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women. It’s not my language. It’s not my words.” His denial was further bolstered by resurfaced examples of his past doodles, which predominantly feature architectural outlines and the New York City skyline, not nude figures.
The Wall Street Journal also disclosed that the U.S. Department of Justice had briefed Trump on findings related to the Epstein files as part of its “routine briefing” process. However, Justice officials, including former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, asserted that no information uncovered in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.
“As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings,” they told the Journal.
A Failing Strategy?
Trump’s talent for creating media diversions has long been a key asset in his political playbook. But observers say this time may be different.
“Trump’s usual strategy of setting fires to cover his tracks isn’t working as well,” said Dr. Jérôme Viala-Gaudefroy, an American civilization scholar and author of Trump’s Words. “He’s recycling old stories that lack the punch needed to bury something as potent as the Epstein mystery.”
The growing pressure has reportedly caused friction within right-wing circles. Though Trump initially enjoyed support from figures demanding Epstein-related transparency, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, he is now trying to temper expectations. Johnson recently called on Republicans to “give the president some space,” suggesting a shift in tone among party leaders.
Yet the risk remains. According to Lindstaedt, if Trump feels truly cornered, “he could become dangerously unpredictable,” warning that an international crisis could even be provoked to deflect attention.
Turning to the Media as the Enemy
Trump has also revived a familiar tactic: attacking the press. Following a Wall Street Journal report alleging he once sent Epstein a birthday card referencing “shared secrets,” Trump threatened legal action against the publication and its owner, media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The episode has reignited distrust toward mainstream media among his base, with some portraying Trump as a victim of coordinated persecution.
“Painting himself as the persecuted hero is a powerful narrative,” said Viala-Gaudefroy. “But it’s also a dangerous one. It feeds into the notion that truth and accountability are expendable in the pursuit of loyalty.”
A Crossroads
As calls intensify for the full disclosure of Epstein-related records, Trump’s response strategy appears increasingly fragmented and reactive. While he has succeeded in rallying some supporters with controversial content and well-worn attacks, analysts argue that this might not be enough to escape the long shadow cast by Epstein.
Whether Trump will escalate his tactics further remains to be seen. For now, one thing is clear: the usual distractions are no longer enough.
