The Monocle Daily Trump’s U-turn on the Epstein files: Does this help the Maga camp or make things worse?
12 snips
Nov 17, 2025 
Patricia Cohen, a global economics correspondent for The New York Times, and Alexander Gerlach, a political philosophy professor at NYU, dive into Trump's surprising U-turn on releasing Epstein files. They discuss the motivations behind Trump's decision, its implications for the MAGA camp, and skepticism about potential redactions. The duo also analyzes the fractures within MAGA and the endurance of Trump's political persona amid scandals. Their conversation touches on the broader themes of accountability and public perception in the current political landscape.
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Volume Can Obscure Substance
- Large volumes of released emails may dilute attention and few MAGA supporters will read them all.
- Alexander Gerlach suggests celebratory optics could matter more than the documents' substance.
Epstein Files Deepen MAGA Faultlines
- The Epstein revelations have driven wedges within the MAGA base, exposing internal fractures.
- Patricia Cohen warns these fissures matter because a focused minority can influence Trump dynamics.
Cult Of Personality Shields Trump
- A significant portion of Trump's support is driven by a cult of personality that tolerates scandals.
- Patricia Cohen compares devotion to near-religious belief that shields him from typical reputational damage.
