Trump lashes out at Republicans over Jeffrey Epstein file demands

• President Donald Trump railed against Republicans who continue to demand the release of the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files.
• A vocal bloc of Trump supporters are furious about the administration's handling of records related to Epstein's sex-trafficking case.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi is a central figure in the controversy after her Department of Justice declined to release more Epstein files.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday sharply criticized the bloc of his own political base that is publicly demanding the release of the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files, calling them "weaklings" whose support he does not want.

"Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bull----,' hook, line, and sinker," Trump vented in a Truth Social post.

Trump doubled down at the White House later Wednesday, when he answered several questions about his administration's handling of the Epstein controversy.

Asked if he was effectively disowning those supporters of his who are still focused on the Epstein case, Trump replied, "I've lost a lot of faith in certain people."

He also defended Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has been at the center of the uproar since the Department of Justice said this month that it would not disclose more Epstein-related records.

"I really think that she's done very good," Trump said of Bondi. "She says 'I gave you all the credible information,' and if she finds any more credible information, she'll give that too. What more can she do than that?"

The president's swipe at significant swath of his supporters is his latest, and angriest, effort to pressure people in his MAGA movement to stop talking about Epstein.

The convicted sex offender and financier, who moved in a circle of very powerful figures in politics, society and business, was found to have killed himself in prison in 2019.

Questions about those high-profile relationships and the circumstances of his death, which took place while he was facing criminal child sex trafficking charges, are at the heart of numerous conspiracy theories.

A vocal group of Trump supporters, which includes high-profile pundits and politicians who typically defend the president, have balked at the administration's efforts to close the book on Epstein.

• Trump lashes out at Republicans over Jeffrey Epstein file demands
• EU proposes raising defense funding in 2-trillion-euro budget
• Trump 'likely' will fire Fed Chair Powell 'soon': White House official
• Cuomo launches independent New York City mayoral bid after losing Democratic primary to Mamdani
• Elon Musk looms over jury selection in Tesla Autopilot fatality trial
• It's a huge week for crypto in D.C. But the industry may not get everything it wants
• Powell asks inspector general to review $2.5 billion renovation after Trump blasts Fed project
• Trump tariffs don't cause inflation because of 'patriotism' buying: WH advisor Hassett
• Trump threatens Russia's global trade unless Ukraine peace deal is reached soon

Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress are capitalizing on the rift in MAGA world — which Trump griped about Wednesday.

"The Radical Left Democrats have hit pay dirt, again!" he wrote in the social media post.

"Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work," Trump said of his supporters who continue to focus on Epstein.

"Don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!"

Also on CNBC

• EU proposes to raise defense funding in 2-trillion-euro budget
• Trump administration sued by U.S. states for cutting disaster prevention grants
• Trump says tariff letters for smaller countries coming soon; rates likely over 10%

Subscribe to the CNBC YouTube Channel

Morning Squawk Newsletter