WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has stepped in to support Attorney General Pam Bondi amid growing unrest among his MAGA supporters regarding the administration's management of the Jeffrey Epstein files. However, his attempt to calm the situation over the weekend appears to have intensified the backlash.

In a lengthy post on his conservative social media platform, Trump expressed his discontent with the criticism directed at Bondi. "What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening," he wrote. He further claimed, "We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and ‘selfish people’ are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein."

Despite Trump's support, his post was met with significant disapproval, receiving more replies than likes or shares, a phenomenon known as being "ratioed." This reaction is notable given that Truth Social is typically a platform for his most ardent supporters. Critics within his base have continued to voice their concerns, warning that the Epstein issue could have electoral repercussions in the upcoming midterms.

Laura Loomer, a prominent figure among Trump's supporters, cautioned, "People make their own choices and decisions, but mark my word, the lack of actual results at the DOJ and lack of transparency that translates into incompetence will cost the GOP House and Senate seats. Don’t say I didn’t warn you," she posted on X.

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, who has previously endorsed Trump, also criticized Bondi. "I’m sure it’s a relief for Pam Bondi to hear the president is still in her corner. Unfortunately, huge swaths of the party are not. She repeatedly misled on Epstein. Then didn’t have the courage to explain herself. Suddenly, she’s camera shy & no Qs allowed. Good luck!" Kelly wrote.

At a recent Turning Point USA conference in Florida, Fox host Laura Ingraham asked attendees if they were satisfied with the Epstein investigation, prompting loud boos from the crowd. In contrast, Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk later stated that Trump had called him, expressing his continued support for Bondi and a desire to move past the controversy.

Kirk noted, "Trump told me over the weekend that he still backed Bondi," indicating a shift in his stance as he has not been a leading voice in the criticism of Bondi. Meanwhile, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has called for more decisive action regarding Epstein, urging Trump to "Give Epstein Evidence to the Special Prosecutor -- NOW."

Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law, also weighed in, suggesting that more transparency is needed regarding the Epstein case. She stated, "But to everybody out there who's all worked up about it, there's no great plot to keep this information away that I'm aware of."

The controversy escalated after the Justice Department and FBI released a memo indicating they found no evidence that Epstein maintained a "client list" of associates involved in his criminal activities. The memo also confirmed that Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell in Manhattan in 2019. Bondi faced backlash for her earlier comments about the alleged client list, which she claimed was merely a file on her desk for review.

Trump's social media post suggested that the Epstein files were politically motivated, alleging they were created by his opponents, including former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The situation has led to internal strife within the administration, with reports of a heated exchange between Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino and Bondi regarding the handling of the Epstein files.

When asked about Bongino's status, Trump responded, "Oh, I think so. I did, I spoke to him today, Dan Bongino, very good guy. I’ve known him a long time. I’ve done his show many, many times, and he sounded terrific, actually. No, I think he’s in good shape."

Trump concluded his post by urging Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to focus on other priorities, such as voter fraud and the 2020 election, insisting, "LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!" In a show of solidarity, Trump also attended the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey with Bondi.