Because the Jeffrey Epstein scandal engulfs President Donald Trump, I think a couple of rich right-wing figures are secretly smiling, none greater than president-in-waiting JD Vance.
The vice chairman is nothing if not a slithery opportunist. With beautiful expediency, he went from calling Trump an “idiot” and “America’s Hitler” to bear-hugging the MAGA motion, turning into Trump’s working mate and saying of the aforementioned fool, “I’m proud to stand beside him.”
Vance is an ideological contortionist backed by dodgy tech billionaires like Peter Thiel, Elon Musk and David Sacks, whose cash helped elevate him to change into Trump’s unlikely vice presidential decide.
If you happen to do not suppose JD Vance is loving the Epstein scandal, suppose once more
So is it that onerous to consider Vance is watching Trump digging his Epstein gap deeper and deeper and thanking his fortunate stars for the president’s incompetence and history of loutish behavior? The vice chairman was already on a magical political journey buoyed by his personal lack of ideas. Now all he must do is sit again and let Trump self-immolate whereas sometimes furrowing his forehead at liberals and feigning help for the president.
Vice President JD Vance visited Metallus in Canton on Monday, July 28.
Vance definitely behaves like a loyal Trump advocate, however given the warmth coming from the Epstein drama, he hasn’t protested a lot.
He lately defended the president and the Department of Justice’s decision not to release the Epstein files, saying: “We’re not shielding something. Donald J. Trump, I’m telling you, he’s received nothing to cover. His administration has received nothing to cover. And that’s why he’s been an advocate for full transparency on this case.”
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That’s not true, clearly. Full transparency would contain releasing the information in a way that protects Epstein’s victims and exposes anybody who was concerned with intercourse trafficking ladies or younger ladies.
Trump’s bumbling of the Epstein scandal may open the door for Vance
A billboard in Instances Sq. on July 23, 2025, in New York Metropolis requires the discharge of the Epstein information.
As a substitute, I assume, to Vance’s delight, the administration is attempting to bury the information. Bloomberg reported on Aug. 1 that Trump’s name was redacted from the information by FBI brokers who have been beforehand prepping them for attainable public launch.
That certainly places a sparkle in Vance’s eye. And within the occasion extra damaging particulars about Trump’s connection to Epstein come out, the vice chairman can all the time say, “Gosh, he advised me he had nothing to cover. Who may’ve imagined?”
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Vance could even backtrack to his earlier comments in regards to the Epstein case. On Dec. 30, 2021, he posted on X: “What attainable curiosity would the US authorities have in conserving Epstein’s purchasers secret?” Curiously, that publish hasn’t been deleted.
Vance was actually involved about everybody seeing the Epstein information
That very same day, Vance wrote of the Epstein files: “If you happen to’re a journalist and also you’re not asking questions on this case try to be ashamed of your self. What goal do you even serve?”
Now he’s taking part in the a part of the great soldier, however he’s additionally seeing how the president’s bumbling has pulled Trump himself into the conspiratorial narrative that has long surrounded Epstein and his imprisoned partner-in-sex-trafficking, Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Maxwell jail switch solely makes this look extra like a cover-up
Future President Donald Trump, would-be first girl Melania Trump, financier Jeffrey Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Seashore, Florida.
On Aug. 1, we discovered that Maxwell, recent off a gathering with a Justice Division official who was beforehand Trump’s private protection legal professional, has been moved from a federal prison in Florida to a lower-security prison camp in Texas.
What’s that every one about? Trump hasn’t dominated out a pardon for Maxwell, who’s serving 20 years for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors.
It appears the earlier model of Vance would have mentioned if “you’re not asking questions on this case try to be ashamed of your self.” It’s as dodgy because the day is lengthy.
However present-day Vance appears to be saying: “Shhhhhhhh. Let’s dangle again and see how this performs out.”
MAGA is mad in regards to the Epstein information, giving Vance a possibility
U.S. Vice President JD Vance appears to be like on throughout a gathering between U.S. President Donald Trump, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s International Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwanda’s International Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe within the Oval Workplace on the White Home in Washington D.C., June 27, 2025.
Many MAGA loyalists aren’t happy with Trump’s dealing with of the Epstein information, and polling exhibits the public at large wants far more transparency.
Heck, it was Elon Musk, one of many pro-Vance tech billionaires, who first lashed out at Trump over Epstein, claiming on social media that the president is in the files.
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Trump constructed his political profession on conspiracies, and now he’s knee-deep in a single. So I’m snug throwing a not-unreasonable conspiracy onto the hearth.
Suggesting Vance needs to be president would not appear conspiratorial
Vance was an odd VP pick: inexperienced, from a state – Ohio – Trump didn’t want to fret about, in sync with the MAGA base however repellent to many exterior that base. He was hoisted on Trump by wealthy dudes with the flexibility to assist bankroll Trump’s marketing campaign.
And now these wealthy dudes are a couple of beautiful Epstein revelations away from doubtlessly seeing their malleable younger VP decide take over.
Vance would by no means make a transfer on Trump or publicly root towards him. However in the event you don’t suppose he’d gladly slide into the massive boy chair, you haven’t been paying consideration.
Trump must deal with the large Epstein scandal burning round him. However in the event you ask me, he additionally wants to observe his again.
Observe USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @rexhuppke.bsky.social and on Fb at facebook.com/RexIsAJerk
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This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: With Epstein, Trump should watch his back for eager Vance | Opinion
