Trump scrambles to shift focus from Epstein backlash: A week of attacks, distractions, and denials

Trump scrambles to shift focus from Epstein backlash

As criticism mounted over the administration’s abrupt closure of the Epstein investigation, US President Donald Trump reverted to familiar tactics: shifting attention to Barack Obama. On July 22, during a meeting with the Philippine president, Trump accused Obama of election fraud and treason, escalating old claims. Later, at a Republican reception, he urged party members to dodge Epstein questions by invoking Obama as a scapegoat—an attempt to reframe the narrative through outrage, the New York Times reported.

Social media blitz buries Epstein story under culture war noise

Two days earlier, Trump unleashed a flurry of Truth Social posts on topics far from Epstein—polls, NFL team names, and mock arrests of political rivals. In between jabs at Adam Schiff and Samantha Power, Trump circulated a manipulated video of Obama being arrested, further muddying the waters and feeding conspiracy-minded followers. The posts flooded timelines, overwhelming critical attention on the administration’s decision to halt the Epstein probe.

Wall Street Journal report sparks new denial, legal threats

After The Wall Street Journal reported Trump once signed a bawdy birthday card for Epstein, Trump denied the story and threatened legal action. He also told Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek public release of grand jury testimony, framing it as a concession to supporters, even as he made clear he thought the scrutiny should end. A federal judge denied the request, deepening frustration among Epstein-focused Trump allies.

Attacks turn inward as Trump lashes out at MAGA base

By July 16, Trump's tone shifted from deflection to scorn. Frustrated with loyalists demanding more Epstein disclosures, Trump labelled them “weaklings” and “past supporters.” That same day, he claimed Coca-Cola would return to using real sugar—a move later clarified by the company as a limited product launch, not the sweeping shift Trump implied. The post was another distraction, timed to drown out Epstein-related unrest.

Bondi under fire as intra-MAGA tensions erupt

Attorney General Pam Bondi, once a MAGA favourite, became a lightning rod for far-right influencers accusing her of betrayal. Trump stepped in on July 12 to defend her, criticizing his base for attacking one of his top lieutenants. Behind the scenes, tensions had escalated between Bondi and FBI deputy chief Dan Bongino over the handling of the Epstein review, turning the controversy into a full-blown internal crisis.

An unravelling playbook in the face of growing pressure

While Trump’s media strategy has often succeeded in derailing scandals, the Epstein backlash has proved harder to defuse. The combination of denied promises, leaked files, and intra-party feuds has left his base divided. The White House’s refusal to release more documents, citing victim privacy, only adds fuel to conspiracy theories. Trump’s barrage of distractions may be his signature move—but this time, it may not be enough.