“Cover.” This is the word ricocheting through the manosphere, echoing through X Feeds and podcast episodes after the Trump administration released the so-called Epstein files, and stated the case closed.
The reaction was immediate and furious. These were Donald Trump’s most vocal advocates in the 2024 campaign: Tradcons, Alpha Bros, influencers and male revival, who painted Trump as a swelling against the Liberal elite and the “awake” takeover of America. They helped deliver young, demolished male voters to Trump’s camp by throwing him as the last male figure standing between order and chaos.
But now many of them openly accuse Trump’s administration of betrayal of the very cause they have gathered behind.
On July 7, the Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, released his highly anticipated report on Jeffrey Epstein. It concluded that Epstein was not murdered, that there is no list of customers, and that no leading individuals will be charged. This announcement effectively closed years of conspiring theories around the death of Epstein and an alleged sex-traffic network, a story that has become holy land for many right.
The report landed as a bomb in the handphere.
Matt Walsh, one of the most influential traditional conservatives online, has returned from social media hiatus to release a fire storm. “I came back from holidays to learn that Epstein was apparently not an international child sex trader,” he posted on X on July 12. His thread – Sharp, sarcastic, and fierce – emptied, accusing the management of gas lighting its base and withdrawal of a moral crusade, which it once approved.
“Pam Bondi invited influencers to the White House and handed them large links, which literally said ‘Epstein files’ in huge bold letters on the front. If the files never existed, then why did the White House do that?” Walsh demanded. In another post, he added: “The Attorney General said she has the customer list on her desk. The White House has made a large show to give links marked ‘Epstein Files: Phase 1’ to a bunch of influencers. Now they tell us there’s no list and we need to stop talking about it.”
The Attorney General said she had the customer list on her desk. The White House has made a large show to give links marked “Epstein files: Phase 1” to a multitude of influencers. Now they tell us there’s no list and we need to stop talking about it. Well, why did you say there …
– Matt Walsh (@Mattwalshblog) 13 July 2025
Half of Walsh’s recent posts are now dedicated to the Epstein drama, all soaking with skepticism and anger. With nearly 4 million followers and tens of millions of views on his posts, his uprising is hard to ignore.
Other right -wing influencers joined. Tucker Carlson went even further, accusing Bondi’s justice of “coverage of the crimes and murder of Jeffrey Epstein.” Charlie Kirk was considering Trump, instead supporting FBI vice -director Dan Bongina, who is said to be considering a resignation of the report. Bongina herself was once a loud voice pushing Epstein’s theory list before joining the administration.
It would be a huge loss for the country if we lost Dan Bongina at the FBI.
– Charlie Kirk (@Charliekirk11) 11 July 2025
Jack Posobiec turned to Gallows Humor: “Call things you trust more than the idea that Epstein had no customers.” But he also explained his position: “I will not rest until we go a full committee of Jan 6 in Jeffrey Epstein’s files.”
Call things that you trust more than the idea that Epstein didn’t have customers:
– Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@jackposobiec) 13 July 2025
James O’Keefe, meanwhile, canceled the edits in the reports. “There are only two possibilities,” he wrote. “1) There is no longer the story of Epstein. 2) is a cover.”
There are only two possibilities;
1) The story of Epstein is no longer.
2) is a cover
Time for us to hear directly from FBI agents
– James O’Keefe (@jameSokeEfeiii) 12 July 2025
The separation is growing. This is not just about Epstein. This is the narrative machinery of the right loss of one of its most powerful weapons. For years, the case Epstein has symbolized everything wrong with elite impunity. The idea of a customer list, filled with powerful names that visited a private island, was said to have been the center of a sexual traffic ring, was a cultural touch. Its perceived disappearance feels, to these influencers, as a betrayal.
Why is it important
This break reveals a dangerous paradox for Trump. He built part of his basis for complaint, outrage and conspiracy. Now that he has returned in power, he is at risk of becoming the standalone conspiracies intended. The fall also reflects a broader transformation in the Internet right. The handphere is no longer just a cheerful squad for Trump. It has its own hierarchy, its own causes and increasingly its own enemies.
As Trump urges his basis to “continue” and celebrate Pam Bondi, parts of the digital movement that helped push him to victory, refuse to follow.
They drew a line. And behind that line is Jeffrey Epstein’s ghost.
