“I think I’m the most honest human being, perhaps, that God ever created“
~DJT
How bull---t took over our lives – and the world
Trump’s attempts at distracting us from the Epstein files is directly proportional to his depravity documented in the files (Sixty Minutes: one archived versions still working )
In death, Jeffrey Epstein has managed to do something no one else has been able to - drive a wedge between Donald Trump and his loyal base. Releasing the so-called “Epstein files” was one of the campaign promises that resonated most with Donald Trump’s supporters.
The files, 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence of the vile crimes of billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, have long been thought to contain the names of others in his depraved network. Despite his friendship with Epstein, Trump has long positioned himself as the person capable of exposing the dark secrets contained in the files. But last month, after teasing the release of the files, the President and his administration backflipped.
60 Minutes Australia: Trump & Epstein
The files, 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence of the vile crimes of billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, have long been thought to contain the names of others in his depraved network.
Despite his friendship with Epstein, Trump has long positioned himself as the person capable of exposing the dark secrets contained in the files. But last month, after teasing the release of the files, the President and his administration backflipped.
The fallout has spiralled into a full-blown scandal that, for once, Donald Trump can't seem to shake.
A soured friendship
In the 1990s Trump and Epstein were well known as men about town. One a notorious property developer, the other a wealthy financier, the pair were pictured together at parties and events from New York to Florida. Epstein was even invited as a guest to Trump's wedding to Marla Marples in 2002.
By 2006 though, Epstein had been exposed as a paedophile and convicted of child sex trafficking. It would be years before the full extent of his depravity was revealed.
"I threw him out."
Donald Trump has long denied knowing anything about Epstein's crimes, and insists he ended the friendship many years ago.
"For years I wouldn't talk to Jeffrey Epstein… and I threw him out of the place, persona non grata, I threw him out," Trump told reporters recently.
But the friendship between the two men is now under renewed scrutiny due to President Trump's handling of the Epstein files.
Seasoned political reporter and author Will Sommer told 60 Minutes many Americans voted for Trump because of his promise to declassify the files and "expose" the Washington elites.
"Trump supporters see Jeffrey Epstein as the devil," he said.
"They also see him, as perhaps, someone who was the key to this larger network, this guy who was, in their belief, providing young girls to world elites."
Many believe the names of who was in that network lie in the 'Epstein files' - more than 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence of the vile crimes committed against more than 1000 girls and young women.
Earlier this year, Donald Trump was briefed by his attorney-general, Pam Bondi, on the fact his name appeared several times in the files, but it's unclear in what capacity.
"So as a result people - even Trump supporters - are starting to say, you know, jeez, this is really suspicious," Mr Sommer said.
A disturbing encounter
Among those with suspicions is Maria Farmer, who was hired, and abused by Jeffrey Epstein in the mid-1990s. During that time, Maria says she witnessed first hand how close her boss was to Donald Trump.
Speaking with 60 Minutes, Maria claims she had a disturbing encounter with Donald Trump in Epstein's Manhattan office late at night in 1995.
Maria claims Epstein summoned her to the office, where she first met Trump. She says after she arrived, Trump walked in and looked at her with a "Cheshire grin", to which she made the "ugliest face" she could think of.
Maria claims Epstein "thought it was adorable". He then, according to Maria, told Trump "she's not here for you," and took him out of the room.
"So he escorts Trump into this other room and Trump utters under his breath, he mutters, "Oh, I thought she was 16," and I thought that was just really weird," she told 60 Minutes.
"It was beyond locker room talk."
Maria says she reported Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell to the FBI in 1996 and mentioned Donald Trump as someone who associated with the pair, but says authorities did nothing. She is now suing the US government for failing to protect her.
The White House contested Maria's version of events and said Trump 'was never' in Epstein's office.
A turning support base
Donald Trump has been particularly adept in his ability to endure scandal. In the last five years, the President has faced 91 felony counts, four criminal indictments, two impeachment trials and in a civil case has been found liable for sexual abuse.
Yet, last November a majority of Americans still voted for him to lead them. But, with the promise of exposing Jeffrey Epstein's darkest secrets as a significant campaign platform, many voters have been left feeling betrayed.
Among them is Teresa Helm, who was lured into Jeffrey Epstein's dark orbit when she went for a job interview in 2002 at just 22 years old. At the time, Teresa was studying massage at a Los Angeles college.
Teresa says she was sexually assaulted by Epstein but it was years before she realised she was one of hundreds of young women ensnared in his depraved world.
"It was definitely systematic. Everything was pre-planned, prearranged, organised," she told 60 Minutes.
"It's impossible to do everything that they've done and harmed as many people as they have harmed without help … so, who are they?"
Teresa voted for President Trump in last year's election because she believed he would expose Epstein's wider network. And she's not alone - videos posted on social media show supporters burning MAGA hats in response to Trump's bumpy handling of the scandal.
"I think that that comes certainly when you make statements and promises and then you walk it back," Teresa said.
What's next for Donald Trump?
Pollster and political analyst Frank Luntz has done more focus groups with Trump voters than just about anyone in the United States. So he knows why, even in the face of scandal, Trump's base is unshakeable.
"Donald Trump is the ultimate survivor."
"His own voters aren't voting for him because of his character. They're voting for him because he'll bring about the change they want and they need, and frankly, they deserve," he told 60 Minutes.
While Luntz thinks his supporters are concerned about the President's mishandling of the Epstein files, he doesn't believe it will have a meaningful impact.
"Donald Trump is the ultimate survivor, and I expect nothing different about this current situation."
Will Sommer is not as convinced. He told 60 Minutes that Trump's handling of the files has prompted serious questions from his supporters.
"It looks like he's covering something up that he's either covering up his relationship with a wealthy paedophile or that he's maybe covering up for one of his friends," he said.
"I think it will be a huge hit to his political capital and his prestige. I think this is a serious issue."
"And I think it's gonna haunt the 2028 presidential race too."
Watch the full episode of 60 Minutes on 9Now.
'Crisis of credibility': How the Epstein files have turned Donald Trump's base against him
THE PRESIDENT AND THE PAEDOPHILE
Like him or not, there’s no denying Donald Trump has talents. One of the greatest is his ability to endure scandal.
In the last five years alone, the President has faced 91 felony counts, four criminal indictments, two impeachment trials, and in a civil case has been found liable for sexual abuse.
Yet last November a majority of Americans still voted for him to lead them. Now though, for the first time in his two presidencies, there are chinks in Trump’s armour.
As Amelia Adams reports, the reason is his bumpy handling of the so-called Epstein files; evidence that may or may not exist about the powerful connections of America’s most despised paedophile, the now dead billionaire, Jeffrey Epstein.
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