Trump Voters Face Dilemma as Epstein Files Flood In

Jimmy Kimmel mocks MAGA supporters for their tricky situation after Trump's name appears in Epstein's files.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Jimmy Kimmel has criticized MAGA voters for the difficult position they find themselves in after Donald Trump's name was discovered in Jeffrey Epstein's files. While the president previously urged the public to move on, the slow release of Epstein's files shows no signs of going away, putting MAGA and Trump in a bind as they try to push back against the revelations.

Why it matters

The appearance of Trump's name in the Epstein files poses a challenge for his staunchest supporters, the MAGA movement, who must now grapple with potentially damaging information about the president they have steadfastly defended. This development raises questions about Trump's relationship with Epstein and the extent of his involvement in the disgraced financier's alleged crimes.

The details

Kimmel mocked MAGA voters for the tricky situation they find themselves in, noting that Trump's name appeared more than a million times in the Epstein files, with potentially millions more pages yet to be released. The late-night host also highlighted Trump's past comments to the Palm Beach police chief, in which he allegedly thanked them for stopping Epstein's activities, as well as his statement wishing Epstein's alleged accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, "well" just a few years ago.

  • In 2006, Trump allegedly called the Palm Beach police chief to say he was "glad" they were stopping Epstein.
  • Less than five years ago, Trump said he "wished well" to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's alleged accomplice.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose name has appeared extensively in the Jeffrey Epstein files, posing a challenge for his staunchest supporters, the MAGA movement.

Jimmy Kimmel

The host of the late-night talk show who has mocked MAGA voters for the tricky situation they find themselves in due to the revelations about Trump's connections to Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

The disgraced financier whose files have continued to be released, revealing connections to high-profile individuals like Donald Trump.

Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein's alleged accomplice, whom Trump said he "wished well" just a few years ago.

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What they’re saying

“The president's name, we searched it, appeared more than a million times, and that doesn't even include the three million pages they haven't released, which obviously puts MAGA in a bit of a fix.”

— Jimmy Kimmel, Talk Show Host (rawstory.com)

“Popping up a million times isn't a positive for the Pizzagate party, so now they're grabbing at anything they can, including a document that says when the authorities were finally closing in on Jeffrey Epstein back in 2006, Trump called the Palm Beach police chief and said, 'Thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone knows he's been doing this.'”

— Jimmy Kimmel, Talk Show Host (rawstory.com)

“Trump also told cops that Ghislaine Maxwell was evil, which is interesting because his guy in the Department of Justice moved her to a country club prison, and fewer than five years ago he said, 'I wish her well,' but it's all just something to keep in mind when he mysteriously pardons her next month.”

— Jimmy Kimmel, Talk Show Host (rawstory.com)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the Epstein case is expected to make a decision on whether to release more of the files in the coming weeks, which could further implicate Trump and his associates.

The takeaway

The continued release of the Epstein files poses a significant challenge for Trump and his staunchest supporters, the MAGA movement, as they must now grapple with potentially damaging information about the former president's connections to the disgraced financier. This development underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Trump's past relationships and the need for further transparency regarding his involvement in Epstein's alleged crimes.