FBI, DOJ Find No Epstein Murder Evidence Amid MAGA Backlash

MAGA supporters have expressed intense frustration with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino after a Department of Justice memo concluded there was no evidence of a 'client list' or foul play in the Jeffrey Epstein case, despite Attorney General Pam Bondi's earlier promises to release investigative files. President Donald Trump has backed Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel for focusing on fundamentals, though this stance has drawn backlash from the MAGA base demanding more transparency. Meanwhile, Trump has diverged from traditional MAGA positions by restoring U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine, signaling increased support for Kyiv and distancing himself from Vladimir Putin and some MAGA loyalists. In Congress, Trump successfully pushed through a massive bill extending his 2017 tax cuts, using a combination of persuasion, swag, and political pressure to secure votes, as highlighted by the spectacle of a lawmaker wearing a gold ring with Trump's face. Trump's ambition to have his likeness carved on Mount Rushmore alongside historic presidents reflects his desire for a lasting legacy, with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem playing a key role in these efforts and rising in prominence within his administration. These developments illustrate ongoing tensions within the MAGA movement and Trump's evolving political strategies as he navigates leadership and legacy building in 2025.