Trump Instructed the Hive Mind to Drop the Epstein Stuff, But It Just Won't Die

The directive clearly has gone out to the hive mind—knock off all this shit about the Epstein files. Ever since the Department of Justice announced that the files didn't exist, although they probably do, the MAGA hordes verged on open rebellion. At a Turning Point USA hootenanny over the weekend, MAGA superstars Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson both ripped the DOJ over its denial of the existence of the client list. Whereupon the MAGA chip in Kirk's brain was activated. From NPR:

Still, others have found a way to move on—or deflect from Trump having any blame. Charlie Kirk said Monday on his show after the Turning Point event that he didn't need to relitigate the "messaging fumble" and that he trusted the administration.

"Honestly, I'm done talking about Epstein for the time being," he said. "I'm gonna trust my friends in the administration, I'm gonna trust my friends in the government to do what needs to be done, solve it, ball's in their hands."

I swear, that's just adorable, that is. Meanwhile, late Monday evening, Rep. Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, introduced an amendment to pending legislation that would have compelled Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the full Epstein files within 30 days. The amendment died 7-5 in front of the House Rules Committee with Republican Rep. Ralph Norman joining the Democrats and Rep. Chip Roy declining to vote at all.

All of a sudden, the GOP's demonstrated skill at burying their own scandals, especially those touching El Caudillo del Mar-a-Lago, has abandoned it. They can't get out of their own way on this story. It's gum on their shoes. Which, I hasten to mention, is absolutely delightful.