The chances of President Donald Trump completing his second term have fallen sharply, according to leading betting firm Star Sports, as backlash over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case intensifies.
On Thursday, Star Sports shifted its odds on Trump serving out his full term to 8/15 (65.2%), down from 2/5 (71.4%) just a month ago. The firm also noted an increase in bets on Trump leaving office early—now at 8/1 (11.1%), up from 20/1 (4.8%).
Why It Matters
President Trump has been under growing pressure since July 6, when the Justice Department and FBI jointly stated that there is no Epstein “client list” and reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide in 2019. The statement angered activists, especially within Trump’s MAGA base, who have long believed Epstein’s death was part of a broader cover-up involving powerful elites.
Adding fuel to the fire, The Wall Street Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump in May that his name appeared “multiple times” in the Epstein files—an allegation dismissed by White House spokesman Steven Cheung as “fake news.”
Fallout From the Epstein Memo
The DOJ’s memo contradicted earlier speculation encouraged by some within Trump’s own administration. The shift has led to frustration among Trump supporters who once praised him for vowing transparency around the Epstein case.
Trump has since tried to distance himself from the controversy, calling it the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax” and blaming Democrats for stoking the issue. However, facing growing discontent, he recently asked Bondi to release any grand jury testimony related to Epstein, pending court approval.
What Analysts Say
Star Sports political betting analyst William Kedjanyi told Newsweek the odds shift reflects a turning point:
“The Jeffrey Epstein scandal is, for the first time, putting real strain on Trump’s relationship with the GOP base and the broader MAGA movement.”
Kedjanyi added that Trump’s fluctuating position—first pushing for Epstein file releases, then backing away—has created confusion and anger among his loyalists:
“Many of his supporters feel betrayed. He once championed transparency on Epstein. Now he’s pushing back on further disclosures, even calling out parts of his base for keeping the story alive online.”
Public and Political Response
The controversy has even reached Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly adjourned Congress until September—a move critics allege was intended to block a vote on releasing the remaining Epstein documents.
Republican frustration is building too. Some MAGA influencers have openly criticized Trump’s lack of urgency and contradictory messaging. Democrats, meanwhile, may seize on the issue when Congress returns from recess to apply more pressure.
What’s Next
Trump is likely to face renewed calls from both political opponents and his own base to release more Epstein-related files. With growing media scrutiny and shifting public sentiment, how he navigates the weeks ahead could prove critical to maintaining support—and completing his presidency.
