WASHINGTON – An attempt by former President Donald J. Trump to control the narrative around his past association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has ignited a firestorm among some of his most loyal supporters, turning a defensive maneuver into a significant political headache.

The controversy erupted following the court-ordered release of a new tranche of documents related to Epstein's network, which has long been the subject of intense public scrutiny and online conspiracy theories. In a statement posted to his Truth Social platform late Monday, Mr. Trump sought to distance himself from Epstein and redirect focus onto other prominent figures named in the documents.

"I knew him like everyone else in Palm Beach knew him, I saw him sometimes at parties," Mr. Trump wrote. "The Fake News is trying to make it a big deal when they should be looking at the MANY other people, including Democrats, whose names are all over the files. I was the one who kicked him out of Mar-a-Lago!"

However, instead of placating his base, the statement was met with skepticism and anger in influential pro-Trump online communities. For years, factions within the MAGA movement, heavily influenced by the QAnon conspiracy theory, have viewed the fight against an alleged global "cabal" of elites involved in child trafficking as a central tenet of their support for Mr. Trump. His perceived defensiveness and dismissal of the issue have been interpreted by some as a betrayal.

A Crack in the Online Echo Chamber

Reporting from news outlets and analysis of social media platforms show a spike in negative sentiment on platforms like Telegram, Gab, and X (formerly Twitter). Influential right-wing commentators, who typically amplify Mr. Trump's every message, have openly questioned his statement.

"This isn't the response we wanted," one popular pro-Trump account with over a million followers posted on X. "We need a fighter who will expose everyone, not someone who says 'everyone knew him'. This is a deep state issue, not a political one."

This online backlash marks a rare moment of public dissent from a base known for its unwavering loyalty. The Epstein affair touches a raw nerve, blending legitimate concerns about elite corruption with years of conspiratorial speculation that has become deeply embedded in the MAGA worldview.

Political Fallout and Opponent Reactions

Political analysts suggest the episode highlights a vulnerability for the former president. While unlikely to cause a mass defection of voters, it complicates his campaign messaging and provides ammunition for both his primary challengers and Democratic opponents.

"Mr. Trump's superpower has always been his ability to command the narrative within his base," said Sarah Longwell, a Republican strategist and prominent Trump critic, in an interview with CNN. "When he loses control of that narrative, especially on an issue as emotionally charged as this one, it creates an opening for doubt."

The Biden-Harris campaign was quick to capitalize on the turmoil. A spokesperson released a statement Tuesday morning noting, "While Donald Trump is busy managing fallout with his own supporters over his past associations, President Biden is focused on delivering for the American people."

For the Trump campaign, the challenge now is to regain control of a story that has spiraled beyond their influence. A campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the backlash. The incident serves as a stark reminder that in the hyper-partisan and conspiracy-laden landscape of modern politics, even the most powerful political figures can find their messages twisted and rejected by the very supporters they cultivated.