Epstein conspiracies divide Trump's MAGA base

July 14, 2025

- YouTube

www.youtube.com

In this Quick Take, Ian Bremmer unpacks the Jeffrey Epstein file controversy and the growing backlash from Donald Trump’s MAGA base.

For years, the Epstein case was seen by MAGA faithful as proof of a "deep state" conspiracy, one in which Trump promised to expose. Now, key allies are reversing course, saying no such files exist.

“This feels like a cover-up,” Ian warns, “and that’s dangerous for someone whose base is primed to believe in one.” As confusion and frustration grow, some of Trump’s most loyal followers feel betrayed signaling a potentially lasting split in his support.

What We’re Watching: Trump changes tack on Ukraine, Cameroon’s long-serving leader isn’t done yet, Israel jumps into Syria’s sectarian clashes

Servicemen from the mobile air defence unit of the 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannon towards a Russian drone during an overnight shift, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv Region, Ukraine June 2, 2025.

REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova/File Photo

Epstein conspiracies divide Trump's MAGA base

GZEROMEDIA

More from GZERO Media

Three things we learned from the Club World Cup

London-based, American-owned Chelsea stunned Qatari-owned, French-based Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final yesterday, but the dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup faced some hiccups.

Graphic Truth: Trump increases tariff threats on top trade partners

What We’re Watching: Trump changes tack on Ukraine, Cameroon’s long-serving leader isn’t done yet, Israel jumps into Syria’s sectarian clashes

Hard Numbers: Former Nigerian leader dies, Sinner avenges French Open loss, preliminary Air India crash probe, & More

The dangerous new nuclear arms race

The world is entering a new nuclear era—one that’s more chaotic and dangerous than the last, raising the risk of catastrophe. Ian Bremmer discusses the growing nuclear risk with Admiral James Stavridis on the latest episode of GZERO World.

GZEROMEDIA

The return of the nuclear threat, with Admiral James Stavridis

Faith in the US nuclear umbrella is wavering and adversaries are stockpiling their arsenals. How worried should we be?

Do nuclear weapons make a country safer?

Do nuclear weapons make a country stronger or more vulnerable? North Korea and Ukraine took very different paths in the 1990s, to very different results.

AI for Good depends on global cooperation, says ITU's Doreen Bogdan-Martin

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, discusses the urgent global challenge of the widening digital divide in AI access and policy at the 2025 AI for Good Summit, in an exclusive Global Stage interview with GZERO's Tony Maciulis.

HARD NUMBERS: Myanmar monastery suffers deadly airstrike, US State Department to cut staff, Nvidia sets valuation record, Mahmoud Khalil sues US government, Haiti’s gangs kill thousands

What We're Watching: Kurdish militants melt away the past, Trump to shift focus away from Congress, Germany gets a taste of US-style court battles

Epstein conspiracies divide Trump's MAGA base

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

More from GZERO Media

London-based, American-owned Chelsea stunned Qatari-owned, French-based Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final yesterday, but the dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup faced some hiccups.

The world is entering a new nuclear era—one that’s more chaotic and dangerous than the last, raising the risk of catastrophe. Ian Bremmer discusses the growing nuclear risk with Admiral James Stavridis on the latest episode of GZERO World.

GZEROMEDIA

Subscribe to GZERO Media's newsletter: Signal

Faith in the US nuclear umbrella is wavering and adversaries are stockpiling their arsenals. How worried should we be?

Do nuclear weapons make a country stronger or more vulnerable? North Korea and Ukraine took very different paths in the 1990s, to very different results.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, discusses the urgent global challenge of the widening digital divide in AI access and policy at the 2025 AI for Good Summit, in an exclusive Global Stage interview with GZERO's Tony Maciulis.