President Donald Trump can't seem to stop talking about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, and right-wing activist Laura Loomer is warning that the issue is threatening to "consume his presidency," according to Politico.
In an interview on Wednesday, Loomer contradicted Trump's assertion that talk of a "client list" cobbled together by the convicted sex offender, who died by his own hand in a Manhattan jail cell, was a "hoax" perpetuated by Democrats.
“Obviously, this is not a complete hoax given the fact that Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in prison in Florida for her crimes and activities with Jeffrey Epstein, who we know is a convicted sexual predator,” Loomer told Politico. “This is why I said, and I’ll reiterate it again, the best thing that the president can do is appoint a special counsel to handle the Epstein files investigation.”
She added, “I don’t want it to consume his presidency.”
The article called Loomer's rebuke an illustration of "the growing rupture in the MAGA coalition."
Trump lashed out at his most ardent supporters Wednesday, both on Truth Social and during an Oval Office session with reporters.
"It's all been a hoax perpetrated by the Democrats and some stupid Republicans, and foolish Republicans fall into the net," Trump said. On social media, he called his supporters "weaklings" for believing there was more to the Epstein saga.
CNN's Kristen Holmes called it a "slap in the face" to Trump's biggest supporters like Loomer, Dan Bongino, and Kash Patel, who campaigned for Trump on the basis that he would release the Epstein files if he were re-elected. But, after "hyping the promised release," the FBI and Department of Justice denied that a government conspiracy was afoot before closing the case.
Loomer, whose recommendations have led Trump to fire several national security officials, refused to condemn the president completely, however.
“I’m not going to dogpile the president,” she said, adding, “he can’t allow for all of his focus and attention to be on the Jeffrey Epstein files. Do I think this has been handled poorly? Absolutely.”