Charlamagne tha God isn’t holding back when it comes to the Republican Party and its relationship with the lingering Jeffrey Epstein saga. The popular radio host and cultural commentator stirred controversy this week after suggesting that the storm surrounding the so-called Epstein files could be the very thing that allows traditional conservatives to take their party back from Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
Speaking on Fox News with Lara Trump, Charlamagne (real name Lenard McKelvey) made his point clear: “I think that traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back. I think this Epstein thing is going to be a way for traditional conservatives to take their party back, I really do,” he said. “I think they know this is the issue that has gotten the base riled up. The MAGA base isn’t letting this issue go, and for the first time, they know they can probably take the party back and not piss off the MAGA base.”
The comment struck a nerve at Mar-a-Lago. Within hours, President Trump took to Truth Social to blast Charlamagne, calling him a “sleazebag” and a “low IQ individual.” The president questioned Charlamagne’s nickname as well, posting: “Why is he allowed to use the word ‘GOD’ when describing himself? Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?”
Trump targets “racist sleazebag” Charlamagne on Truth Social: pic.twitter.com/PIsJ5GF9eT
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 3, 2025
Trump continued, “He’s a Low IQ individual, has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done.”
The Epstein case has long been a flashpoint in American politics, with conspiracy theories thriving since the financier died in 2019. While Epstein’s death was officially ruled a suicide, many remain skeptical, particularly among Trump’s loyal supporters. Rumors of a “client list” allegedly tied to high-profile politicians have fueled speculation for years, despite repeated statements from the DOJ and FBI that no such list exists.
In the 2024 campaign trail, Trump leaned into those conspiracies, promising he would release Epstein-related files if re-elected, framing it as a transparency issue and a shot at Democrats. But now, back in the White House, he has changed his tune, telling reporters just last month: “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years…That is unbelievable.”
This apparent retreat has frustrated some in his own base, with Charlamagne suggesting that discontent over Epstein could become a political wedge inside the GOP.
Democrats, meanwhile, see an opportunity, pushing for the files to be made public and painting Trump as unwilling to follow through on his promises. For Trump, the controversy risks peeling away part of the movement that helped him reclaim the presidency, even as he remains the dominant figure in Republican politics.
For now, Trump seems more focused on silencing critics like Charlamagne than reopening a Pandora’s box that threatens to pull in allies, rivals, and perhaps even his own circle.
But as long as the Epstein files remain a political lightning rod, this fight between MAGA and “traditional conservatives” may only get louder heading into 2026.
