Last week, we noted how President Donald Trump's ironclad grip on the Republican base was showing signs of strain. In the days since, some key divisions within the party have only been further exacerbated.
Epstein saga: After it became clear the House was on track to pass a measure this week that aims to force the Justice Department to release all its files pertaining to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's case, Trump reversed his position on the matter.
"House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it's time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party," Trump wrote on Truth Social last night.
But even once the House votes on the discharge petition, likely tomorrow, it won't bring an end to the issue. The measure will then move to the GOP-controlled Senate, which would also need to pass it before it goes to Trump's desk. It remains an open question how Republican senators will handle it. (Trump could also order the DOJ to release the files on his own, rather than through a legislative effort.)
MTG fallout: The Epstein issue was one of several that led to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's break with Trump. Late Friday, Trump withdrew his endorsement of the Georgia Republican, once one of his most loyal allies in Congress.
The back-and-forth between the two continued throughout the weekend. On Sunday, Greene blasted Trump for his attacks against her, suggesting his rhetoric could be responsible for a recent pipe-bomb threat at her construction company as well as hoax pizza deliveries.
Greene warned that Trump and other conservatives calling her a "traitor" to the Republican Party "puts blood in the water and creates a feeding frenzy. And it could ultimately lead to a harmful or even deadly outcome."
Trump downplayed Greene's concerns, telling reporters: "I don't think her life is in danger. I don't think, frankly, I don't think anybody cares about her."
Indiana redistricting: Meanwhile, Trump has been railing against Indiana Republicans after the leader of the state Senate said his chamber would not convene to consider redrawing the state's congressional map. One of the lawmakers Trump called out, state Sen. Greg Goode, was the victim of a swatting incident on Sunday, according to Goode and the local sheriff.
In a Truth Social post today, Trump said he would "strongly" endorse against Indiana state lawmakers who do not support redistricting. And Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said on X that he spoke to Trump over the phone to ensure him he remains committed to joining the mid-decade redistricting push.
Tucker Carlson: Trump also defended conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who has faced criticism from Republicans for interviewing Nick Fuentes, a far-right activist known for his antisemitic views.
Bottom line: Recent polls show that Trump remains extremely popular with Republicans, especially those who identify with the MAGA movement. But it's notable that these intraparty divisions have continued to linger in a way that has rarely happened since Trump won a second term. The question now is how long they last, and whether they extend to new terrain.
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