President Donald Trump's MRI and rumors about his health are what pushed the Epstein vote in Congress, an analyst reports Wednesday.
After blocking the release of the Epstein files for months, Trump suddenly reversed course Sunday — despite his attempts to try and stop people from talking about his relationship with the late financier and convicted child abuser, Salon's Amanda Marcotte writes.
Trump has called the matter "a hoax" and blamed Democrats, but the reality is the president is losing his grip on his party as questions over his health come into the picture.
"For many people, the sound of Trump’s voice can unbearable, but it is worth enduring to hear the unsubtle note of desperation when he pleads with his own voters and allies to drop this whole Esptein matter. This feels like tempting fate to write, but a full decade into this nightmare, it seems like Trump’s power over his own MAGA movement is starting to weaken," Marcotte writes.
Ahead of the Epstein vote on Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) reminded Republican lawmakers that Trump would not be president in 2030. Although Trump has floated the idea of a third run, it wouldn't be possible under the 22nd Amendment.
“I would remind my colleagues that this vote is gonna be on your record for longer than Trump is gonna be president,” Massie said.
As MAGA infighting unfolds, with loyal follower and top supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) publicly feuding with the president, the future leader of the movement is unclear.
"The White House continues to deny there are problems with Trump’s health. But since they lie about everything, those words mean less than nothing. There’s no small amount of wishful thinking fueling the constant chatter about the issue on the left, but the public evidence that the 79-year-old president is not doing well is hard for even the most diehard MAGA types to ignore," Marcotte writes.
"But he’s looking awfully weak these days — and his coalition is starting to crack as various MAGA actors position themselves to take advantage of an anticipated power vacuum," Marcotte explains.
Trump appears to keep falling asleep during televised events. He also refused to explain his MRI and why his doctors ordered the test for him.
"All this leads to yet another reason to endure the sound of Trump’s voice in recent days: He sounds exhausted. With all that’s been going on — the Epstein vote, the economic numbers, his polling, Democrats’ drubbing of the GOP in the recent elections — it’s hard to imagine he’s feeling too good these days," Marcotte adds.