Former President Donald Trump may survive the political storm surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, but it’s already leaving behind lasting damage, according to veteran journalist and D.C. insider Jonathan Alter.
In a Sunday interview with MSNBC’s Alex Witt, Alter described the ongoing revelations as a “festering wound” that continues to drain Trump’s credibility and weaken his political standing — especially among his core supporters.
“This isn’t going to be fatal to him,” Alter said. “It’s highly unlikely that he will resign or be impeached, but it’s going to be a festering wound for the rest of his presidency. Drip, drip, drip.”
Epstein Connections Resurface
Over the past few weeks, Trump has faced renewed scrutiny over his long-reported ties to Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose connections to powerful figures continue to generate controversy.
The Wall Street Journal recently published a report highlighting a birthday letter Trump sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday. Shortly afterward, The New York Times ran a story detailing a party hosted by Trump in which Epstein was a VIP guest and the attendees were reportedly young women.
While Trump has tried to downplay his relationship with Epstein, the steady stream of revelations has complicated that effort — particularly with some of his own supporters demanding transparency.
Divided Base, Lingering Consequences
According to Alter, the fallout is fracturing Trump’s base. Some loyalists want the Epstein files made public, pointing to Trump’s campaign promises in 2024. Others, following Trump’s lead, appear eager to move on.
“All of this weakens Trump,” Alter noted. “He’s already way down in polls.”
Alter warned the issue could extend well into the 2026 midterm elections, especially as Republican figures like JD Vance — now closely tied to Trump — may find their political fortunes linked to the outcome of this controversy.
“They’ve attached themselves to this guy,” Alter said. “And the more he is discredited with his own base, the less reliable that base becomes.”
Though Trump may not face immediate political fallout, insiders suggest the steady trickle of damaging headlines could quietly undermine his influence — both within the GOP and on the national stage.
