Fox News Joins MAGA Uproar Over Epstein Probe But Shields Trump From Blame

The heated frustration over the government’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s case has reached prime time on Fox News, where hosts are giving voice to long-simmering suspicions among Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters. But while outrage over the lack of a so-called “client list” and unanswered questions about Epstein’s death has become widespread on the right, Fox News has taken careful steps not to direct any of that anger toward former President Donald Trump himself.

On Monday night, host Jesse Watters devoted a lengthy segment to the topic, calling the Justice Department’s findings “a joke” and demanding accountability. Watters argued that federal investigators had decades and every resource to uncover evidence but came up empty-handed. “This just reeks,” he said, echoing a sentiment many in MAGA circles share.

However, Watters stopped short of criticizing Trump, focusing instead on Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials. Many of Trump’s supporters had believed Bondi would deliver explosive revelations proving Epstein had blackmailed influential figures. Instead, Bondi released what she called “Phase One” binders that mostly contained information already available to the public.

Adding fuel to the skepticism, a new memo from the Department of Justice stated there was no credible evidence Epstein kept a list of clients or blackmailed anyone. It also reaffirmed that Epstein’s death was a suicide, supported by security video footage. This conclusion has done little to quiet speculation and has sparked fresh complaints that the government is hiding the truth.

While some conservative media figures have begun blaming Bondi, Kash Patel, and other Trump allies for failing to expose more, they have mostly spared Trump himself. Even when Trump snapped at a reporter for asking about missing video footage of Epstein’s last night in jail, few in MAGA media turned their frustration on him.

Yet cracks are beginning to show. Influential figures like Laura Loomer have called for Bondi to be fired, and Elon Musk has claimed the Trump administration is hiding evidence. As anger grows, there are signs that the conspiracy theories that once targeted Epstein’s associates could eventually circle back to Trump, who shared social ties with Epstein for years.

For now, Fox News and other conservative outlets are walking a delicate line, fueling outrage over the Epstein investigation while protecting the president, many of their viewers still fiercely support.