Source: The Atlantic
by Jonathan Chait
“Donald Trump’s ham-fisted reversal on his promise to release a secret list of Jeffrey Epstein’s clients, and the revolt it has sparked among the MAGA faithful, has pulled off something long considered impossible by virtually everybody, including Trump himself: He has finally underestimated his followers’ intelligence. The president reversed himself on a matter so crucial to his base, and offered an excuse so flimsy, that it raised questions within perhaps the most gullible movement in American history. … Trump understands that his most committed fans will believe almost anything he tells them. … Trump’s lies often lack even the veneer of plausibility. His devotees have generally not made him work very hard to maintain their trust. You could almost picture Trump lazily mouthing the same tropes — ‘fake news,’ ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ — expecting the same result. Except this time, Trump pushed the buttons, and nothing happened.” (07/14/25)