I don't believe Epstein is going to be the magic solution

[orangecrush]

After months on end of Mueller Time, Jack Smith, Garland, etc., none of which stopped us from ending up where we are now.

I believe the only thing that will be effective will be a massive turnout in the midterms, massive turnout at No Kings, and enough pain for it to sink in for most Americans to realize these people want to take everything they have and leave them to die.

[Johnny2X2X]

1. I've been saying this for over a year.

None of his supporters will care and the people behind Trump own most of the media.

[progressoid]

22. Yep. Even Dan Bongino did a quick 180 and the Epstein files were his bread and butter.

But it could put a dent in the support of some of those wishy washy middle of the road people.

[Katinfl]

38. you are exactly right, IMO.

This Epstein stuff, as bad as it is, is just a diversion. His cult will deny all of it no matter the proof in front of their faces. The gop will never confront him on this or talk of resignation. The dems have been so focused on this for so long and I think it will all fizzle out in time. We all know the truth and how much he was involved but it won’t make a bit of difference in the long run. We have to get the mid terms right next year. Our only way out is at the ballot box, and even that is suspect.

[berksdem]

46. Could not agree more...

I have been saying this as well.

[Ocelot II]

2. There are no magic solutions, but every weakness needs to be exploited as much as possible.

The hard-core MAGA cultists either won't believe Trump was mixed up with Epstein no matter what the files might reveal, or they won't care. But it's a big bad something to add to the growing pile of crimes, incompetence, malfeasance and all-purpose shit Trump continues to produce. As the economy weakens and the cult members start to notice their hero hasn't kept his promises, more and more people will drift away from him, and the more reasons they have to do it, the better.

[BaronChocula]

28. Exactly

I don't know of anyone who is singularly focused on the EFs to bring down the Dark Lard-Ass. Opposition politics is about throwing as much as you can into the mix.

[johnnyfins]

3. I agree. However, I do believe that IF the

files are released, and TSF was involved, lots of MAGAs will be denying they ever supported him.

[GreenWave]

4. If it bothers his base, sobeit (Soviet?)

[kentuck]

5. I think the question might be:

How will it affect the MAGA turnout?

How much do they care?

[BeerBarrelPolka]

13. Their hatred for us

far outweighs anything Trump could do/has done.

[EdmondDantes_]

15. And yet they just lost the elections, they lost in 2018 and 2020

For whatever reason, some people find Trump to have charisma and follow him way more than they do other Republicans.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

16. Some people

still follow televangelists even after they have been exposed.

[BannonsLiver]

6. It won't be but I'm all for enjoying the shit show.

And I know he is big mad about this getting out.

[stopdiggin]

12. same. it's not going to make that much difference ..

which doesn't keep me from cheering the prospect of absolutely hammering whatever discomfort and embarrassment
(for both him and his lackeys) can be wrung out of the situation.

It may be cheap - and kind of akin to reality TV (as far as anything of real value)
But, the fact that it pisses him off ... Good enough ...

[Kablooie]

7. Scandals have no currency with MAGAS

Even if they are scandalized by others, if Trump does it he will be given a pass with an avalanche of invented excuses.

[stopdiggin]

8. I'm not even sure Epstein will prove to be particularly relevant

Really think that the most recent results were much more driven by the economy, inflation, shutdown and jobs (and perhaps some healthcare?) - and those factors will continue to be most relevant, and probably increase as real drivers as we move into 2026 (and probable recession)

The latter part of your post - 100%.

[leftstreet]

9. Epstein File Exhaustion here

Just really don't care anymore

Seems like nothing more than distraction at this point

THE DEMOCRATS CAVED !!
But LOOK, we have new Epstein stuff

[Silent Type]

10. Have felt much the same way, but the new revelations are an interesting twist. Plus, we only have a turn a few percent

of people who turned late for trump in 2024 and get some people to turn out who sat on sidelines.

And, Epstein and trump/DOJ refusal to release files are a lot more pertinent/damning than trump tearing down East Wing, uttering BS designed to anger Democrats, etc.

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. Widespread misery could be the Great Unifier.

Republican-caused misery cannot be spun, explained away or lied out of existence.

Next fall, we will almost certainly be in a recession, with rising unemployment, double digit inflation, and millions who can’t afford skyrocketing healthcare costs.

All we need to do is elect majorities filled with Democrats who will wield their power fearlessly and unhesitatingly.

[Keepthesoulalive]

14. We are nibbling at the edges

The right wing made a big stink about the Epstein files because they thought it was full of dems. Most cultists will go back to their safe place of denial but a few won’t vote. I want them demoralized and in economic pain and just maybe we can take our country back.

[hamsterjill]

17. In my opinion, it would depend on what Democrats DO with the information.

Democrats need to get off their asses and start making sure ALL of the information is saturated in the public. They need to be on every news cast, every talk show, every podcast, every venue there is to talk about this. MTG needs to live up to her promise and read the names on the list into the Congressional record.

Democrats need to start leaking information. I don't care if someone gets in trouble or what. Someone is going to have to fall on the sword at some point. I lived through Deep Throat, and it can be done.

The victims need to name names. And I know they are scared to death. The need to be protected and given whatever they need to get the information out there. Blackened screens, whatever.

Even IF the Dems succeeded in doing this, the brain-washed MAGA's aren't going to turn on Trump. BUT some on the fence might start to think it could be THEIR daughter and they might think twice about supporting a pervert (yes, that's the word that needs to be used; not pedophile) in the next election.

[gulliver]

18. Yep, I no longer count on Fitzmas coming.

If you don't know what that is, that's my point.

[lostincalifornia]

19. I agree. If a large segment of the American people had no problem with someone who incited an insurrection against

the country, I have very little faith that they would be bothered by his connection to epstein, or even worse, if he was part of those deplorable activities.

[ecstatic]

20. we're at the mercy of rethugs and the heritage group

When they decide it's time to ditch trump, they will.

In the meantime, it will be more lies, gaslighting, and deflection. It's truly disgusting.

[Gimpyknee]

21. I'm in complete agreement with you.

[niyad]

23. Quite frankly, at this point, the only magic solution that I see is a plague

that takes out every single top member of his administration, and every sycophant, acolyte, hanger-on. A pity that there is not some clear genetic marker.

[JT45242]

24. Forget shooting someone, the felon could rape a 12 yr old on fifth avenue and MAGAts would be ok with it

"she had it coming"
"Did you see what she was wearing"

"She said she was 18"

Make up a million excuses, they will not leave their cult because he lets them hate brown people, LGBTQ, and people better educated than they are.

[raccoon]

53. I totally agree.

[Woodwizard]

25. Trump himself will keep it in the news he can't help it

He will scream hoax and try to throw distraction on it. He will never be held accountable no matter what is found... But some of his sycophants will realize his stench will cover them too and start distancing themselves.

I see it as a slow exit of support not a rapid revelation.

[Raven123]

26. Agree and I believe the victims deserve transparency and accountability

Trump said the files should be released, so hammer relentlessly until he releases them.

[PatrickforB]

27. And Democrats in the Senate could have helped by allowing the shutdown to screw up holiday travel. Just

another week! But no, the institutionalists betrayed the American middle class YET AGAIN, just as happened with Mueller, Smith and Garland. Wait wait wait when it benefits the billionaires, corporations and their pet Congresscritters, but when waiting WOULD benefit us rank and file Dems, they showed UNSEEMLY, indeed COWARDLY haste.

Yeah, we have the mid-terms, but when are blue states going to start having the guts to create the conditions where businesses could stop paying the payroll taxes to the federal government and start funding state general funds.

And don't tell me we can't. It is time. Consider the dirtbag Grover Norquist. Clear back in 1985, the guy was saying that Republicans needed to CUT, CUT, CUT taxes for billionaires and corporations, and in 2001 made his famous comment about not wanting to abolish government, but cutting it to the extent it was small enough so he could take it and drown it in a bathtub. Kings govern at the suffrance of the people.

And that has happened AT OUR EXPENSE. Us working shmucks have been squeezed by these fucking reptiles for DECADES and I'm getting nickel and dimed to death. I don't give a shit what the Internal Revenue Code says. At this point WE THE PEOPLE need to cut revenue to the government until it is free of this corporate Wall Street corruption.

Consider this - corporations only pay 9% of the total federal revenue while individual taxpayers like us pay in 85%.

But guess what? Congress clearly DOES NOT CARE because they have corporate donors giving them all kinds of money for reelection provided they vote Wall Street's way. Fuck that. What are we, chopped liver? How is it that everyone has forgotten just how important the middle class is in generating PROFITS.

Not advocating anything, just asking the question: What if we all stopped cooperating with the do-nothing federal government that has been systematically screwing us and giving our tax money to billionaires and corporations since Reagan slithered into the White House in '81? How many people do you think would have to stop cooperating in order for the American people to actually get things that will benefit us and our families instead of corporate tax cuts and bloated military spending? Things like HEALTHCARE, DEBT-FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION, RESTORED ABORTION ACCESS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS AND GRANDDAUGHTERS, AND A SANE CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY.

Because honestly NOTHING has happened that directly benefitted me in terms of my kitchen table issues since 1965 when the Medicare Act was passed and I was like 6 at the time. I'll be 67 years old in less than a month for God's sake! Because tax credits, FMLA and all that other stuff sounds good but these are merely bones thrown so Congresscritters can pound their chest and tell us how they are 'fighting for us.'

Well, I'm not seeing much fight in the senior ranks of this party. I'm tired of these institutionalists figuratively peeing down my back and telling me its raining and then having the temerity to send me texts and emails begging me for money so they can 'fight for me.' Seriously, because I ain't seeing it...

[BlueTsunami2018]

40. Yep, I don't know why people continue to count on these people to do anything for us.

They work for their own class, the ruling class. The working class means nothing to them.

Until we start electing people who think, speak and act in those terms, which is almost impossible considering how difficult it is to even get on a ballot, we’re screwed.

It’s going to get to the point where drastic measures will have to be taken.

[AverageOldGuy]

29. Stroke

[AverageOldGuy]

30. DVT leading to ischemic stroke

[AverageOldGuy]

31. DVT leading to pulmonary embolism

[Jersey Devil]

32. No need for magic. Just keep that percolator bubbling

Every drip counts

[mopinko]

33. my question- who else is in there? lotta blackmail cd become moot.

suspect many of his donors r in there, and hopefully their lives/fortunes r ruined.
that will help.

[gab13by13]

34. Krasnov ran on releasing the Epstein files,

He played a bigger role in the sex trafficking that people do not know.

If I were a Congressman I stay on Epstein like a dog on a bone.

As far as Mueller goes, in less time that Garland/Smith he indicted or got guilty pleas from 34 people and 3 companies.

Bill Barr redacted and lied about Mueller's final report.

[Buddyzbuddy]

35. I agree, it won't end this nightmare.

But, we want all of the facts on the record. There are victims that need to be heard, not for our political gain, not for justice because that's an impossibility, but so their truth can be heard. So the light of day can be cast upon the monsters amongst us. That's what all of this is about. Hiding the truth.

If there were no billionaires or politically powerful people on the list, all of the names would have been exposed , without a doubt.

I don't care if it's Republican, Democrat, rich man, poor man or the Pope himself (used for effect only) their name must be exposed to wear as a mark for life so the world knows what they did.

[doc03]

36. He could rape a 14 year old on 5th Ave. They

would find a way to justify it.

[Lonestarblue]

37. The MAGA cult doesn't care what Trump is, what crimes he has committed, or how many girls he raped.

He could tear the whole White House down, and they would not blink. If the full files ate ever released, media like Fox will latch on to any Democrats and publicize their names while ignoring Republicans. Mainstream media won’t be much better.

[Doodley]

41. Only around 25% are in the cult, those who choose Strongly Support in opinion polls. Epstein could help GOTV for Dems.

[BlueTsunami2018]

39. Of course it won't. Nothing matters anymore.

He can do literally anything and no one will stop him.

I think most of us know this.

[Doodley]

42. So, what happened last Tuesday?

[orangecrush]

48. Exactly

[BlueTsunami2018]

50. People are pissed off about high prices.

Which is the only thing people give a shit about. Piss won because the perception of the economy was bad even though it wasn’t. Democrats won last week because the economy actually is bad.

It has nothing to do with Epstein.

[pecosbob]

43. If the discharge petition succeeds, the bill must pass a Senate vote and a veto from Gump before it becomes law.

How likely is that to happen? The only result will be to get them on record voting it down.

[Torchlight]

44. I think it will be source of specific interest and news up through the midterms

Placing trap doors in front of every GOP member running each time they call a news conference or answer a constituent's question. I tend to see this kind of story as the very type of red-meat and chum the entertainment industry's been exploiting for our own collective amusement rather than the dry and more esoteric nuances of policy consequence or legal sea-lioning compelling people into boredom.

I've never thought it a panache, but instead an effective tool and like most tools, they are best effective under certain circumstances, less under others. One tool part of a broader shellacking I think the GOP will experience in the midterms.

[Joinfortmill]

45. If that photo of Trump that Michael Wolff saw

With half naked young girls siiting on his lap, is released, Trump is toast. Also, this mess with Epstein is bigger than Trump. All the parties involved need to be exposed, including any governments, foreign or domestic, if you get my drift.

[crimycarny]

47. No, but it's another straw on the camel's back

I don't think anything will be the magic solution. Trump was correct when he said he could shoot someone on 5th avenue and not lose voters.

BUT, now Trump is shooting at his voters, so to speak. I've seen a lot of solid MAGA supporters angrier at Trump's H1B reversal than the Epstein files. Whatever works, it's all going to add up to low turnout for MAGA. That is my hope anyway.

[FadedMullet]

49. If there are thousands of photos of Trump naked with 13-year-old prepubescent girls, and maybe some videos.....

....or, hell, even some 16 mm color films narrated by Epstein himself, the faithful won't abandon him.

[Marie Marie]

51. I think that given the right wing obsession with these files before they suspected

Trump's involvement, this may be upsetting to some. I'm thinking that, as his other bad policies begin to effect his base, any disgusting info on Trump's behavior with young girls may give them the EXCUSE they are looking for to finally turn on him. His bad decisions since taking office will eventually have a cumulative effect on real people and maybe this will push some - not all - of them over the edge. Or one can hope to change some or enough minds.

[DBoon]

52. a slow drip of water will erode a mighty granite boulder

[KS Toronado]

54. As long as they keep screwing the poor

they'll all be voting with us regardless of party affiliation.

[orangecrush]

55. Agree