Donald Trump slams Charlamagne tha God after Epstein-MAGA remark

Authors: Giulia Carbonaro

Publisher:

Newsweek

Published: 8/3/2025

Language:English

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Aura Windfall

Good evening 老张, I'm Aura Windfall, and this is Goose Pod, created just for you. Today is Monday, August 04th. I'm here with Mask, and we're diving into a fascinating clash of personalities and politics.

Mask

That's right. We're talking about Donald Trump's fiery response to Charlamagne tha God after the radio host made some provocative comments about the Epstein controversy and the future of the MAGA movement. It’s a battle of brands.

Aura Windfall

Let's get started. This all ignited on July 31st, when Charlamagne tha God, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, appeared on Lara Trump's Fox News show. It was a fascinating choice of venue, a space to truly speak one's truth, even if it's uncomfortable.

Mask

Uncomfortable is an understatement. He went right for the jugular. He told the president's daughter-in-law that he believes traditional conservatives are about to use the controversy over the Jeffrey Epstein files to wrestle the Republican Party back from the MAGA movement. A direct challenge on their own turf.

Aura Windfall

He said, and I'm quoting, "I think this Epstein thing is going to be a way for traditional conservatives to take their party back, I really do." There's a deep current of belief in that statement. He feels a shift is coming, and he's not afraid to name it.

Mask

And Trump’s reaction was immediate and explosive, exactly as you’d predict from a man who never lets a challenge go unanswered. He went on Truth Social and didn't hold back. He called Charlamagne a "low IQ individual" and a "sleazebag." It’s pure, uncut, provocative communication.

Aura Windfall

It's a deeply personal attack, isn't it? Beyond the politics, Trump also wrote, "Why is he allowed to use the word 'GOD' when describing himself? Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?" It reveals a sensitivity to perception and branding.

Mask

It's all about brand. Trump is the master of it. He sees "tha God" as a brand infringement. In the same post, he claimed Charlamagne "has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done." It's a total dismissal, a classic power move.

Aura Windfall

But what I know for sure is that words have power, and Charlamagne's words were not just about the Epstein issue. He also criticized Trump's presidency on a deeper level, saying he couldn’t give it a good rating because "the least of us are still being impacted the worst." He's speaking from a place of concern for others.

Mask

He specifically brought up tax breaks and the potential impact on Medicaid. That’s a concrete policy point, not just abstract political maneuvering. He’s trying to land a real punch, arguing that Trump’s policies have tangible, negative consequences for vulnerable people. It's a direct assault on the 'populist hero' image.

Aura Windfall

Exactly. He said, "Anything that takes away Medicaid from people and will put people in a worse financial situation than they were previously in, I’m not for." It’s a statement of principle, a line in the sand. It speaks to his core values.

Mask

And that’s what makes this so volatile. It’s not just a media squabble. It's a collision of policy critique, brand warfare, and a high-stakes prediction about a "political coup" within the GOP. Charlamagne lit a match, and Trump, predictably, responded with a flamethrower. The stage is set.

Aura Windfall

To truly understand the weight of this exchange, we have to look at the background. This isn't just about two public figures. It's about a story that has captured the public imagination in a very powerful, and I think, very painful way. The story of Jeffrey Epstein.

Mask

Epstein was a New York financier with connections to a staggering list of powerful people, from politicians to princes. He was a convicted sex offender who died in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. The official story is suicide. The unofficial story is... much more complicated.

Aura Windfall

And that's where the MAGA base comes in. For years, numerous conspiracy theories have swirled around Epstein's death and his activities. Many people, especially within Trump's base, believe he didn't die by suicide and that a secret list of his powerful clients is being covered up. There's a deep-seated feeling of a "truth" being hidden.

Mask

It became a massive political weapon. Trump himself fanned these flames significantly. Before the last presidential election, he promised that if reelected, he would release various files linked to the Epstein case, pointing the finger at Democrats and accusing them of a cover-up. It was a brilliant, disruptive move to energize his base.

Aura Windfall

But what happens when the narrative you've championed suddenly becomes inconvenient? After his return to the White House, Trump's tune changed dramatically. When a reporter asked about the files, he was dismissive, saying, "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years." What a shift in spirit.

Mask

It's a huge pivot. He went from "I'll expose everything" to "This is old news." He even called some of his own loyal supporters who were still demanding the files "some stupid Republicans" who fell for a hoax. From a strategic perspective, that's a high-risk gamble. You're insulting the very people who form your core support.

Aura Windfall

And why would he do that? It creates such a sense of betrayal. It speaks to a larger rift. The official narrative from the Department of Justice and the FBI is clear: they found no evidence of a "client list" and confirmed Epstein died by suicide. But that hasn't quelled the public's desire for answers.

Mask

Because the system has a credibility problem. When you have a figure like Epstein, whose entire operation was based on secrecy and access to the highest levels of power, it’s almost impossible to convince people that there isn't more to the story. The lack of a "client list" doesn't mean there weren't clients. It's a semantic game.

Aura Windfall

It feels like a crisis of faith in our institutions. People are searching for a narrative that makes sense of the corruption they feel exists just beneath the surface. Conspiracy theories often fill that void when official explanations feel incomplete or disingenuous. They are a symptom of a deeper societal wound.

Mask

And that’s the fertile ground Charlamagne is tilling. He sees this broken promise from Trump not just as a lie, but as a strategic opening. He’s telling the old guard of the Republican party, "Look, Trump created this monster, and now he can't control it. This is your chance to step in and be the saviors."

Aura Windfall

It's a powerful and dangerous idea. He's suggesting that the very issue Trump used to rally his base could be the one that ultimately leads to his movement's undoing. It's a story of unintended consequences, of a fire burning out of its creator's control. It’s a profound lesson in cause and effect.

Mask

This sets the stage for the core conflict. It’s not just Trump versus Charlamagne. It’s a battle for the soul of the Republican Party, with the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein as the unlikely catalyst. The background here is everything; it’s a decade of distrust, conspiracy, and political opportunism coming to a head.

Aura Windfall

And that brings us to the heart of the conflict. Charlamagne's most striking claim was that there is a "political coup going on right now in the Republican Party that people are not paying attention to." He's painting a picture of a silent, internal war for the party's very identity.

Mask

It’s a war between two distinct factions: the traditional conservatives—the party of Reagan, of fiscal discipline, and institutional norms—and the new guard, the MAGA movement, which is a populist, nationalist force built entirely around the persona and brand of Donald Trump. They are fundamentally different beasts.

Aura Windfall

What I find so interesting is how the Epstein issue has become the battlefield. An issue that was once embraced by MAGA as a tool against the "deep state" is now, as one commentator put it, opening the door for Democrats to question Republican leadership. It’s as if the weapon has backfired.

Mask

There’s a great quote from a commenter named Bob Rickert that sums it up perfectly: "Live by the conspiracy theory, die by the conspiracy theory." Trump rode this wave of suspicion to power, and now his opponents, both inside and outside the party, are using his own tactics against him. It's a beautiful, brutal irony.

Aura Windfall

And you see the tension in the public comments. One person, Simon Russell, says, "Eventually all of the files will be released," believing the truth will come out. But another, Chris Cotner, pushes back, saying, "If Democrats had anything on Trump, the Biden DOJ would have released it during the election." It’s a complete schism in belief.

Mask

This is the power struggle in microcosm. Is the party's leadership about principle or about political calculation? Democrats are gleefully stoking these flames, using the Epstein files as a lever to widen the cracks in the GOP. They don’t even need to have a smoking gun; the infighting itself does the damage.

Aura Windfall

And Charlamagne also offered a warning to those traditional conservatives. He suggested they might make the same mistake Democrats did after Obama, by trying to simply imitate a unique political figure. He said, "Donald Trump is a once-in-a-lifetime...political juggernaut, you are not going to be Donald Trump." He's calling for a true reset, not an imitation.

Mask

He’s right. You can’t replicate that kind of disruptive force. Trying to be "Trump-lite" is a recipe for failure. The conflict is whether the party tries to build a post-Trump identity based on a new vision, or if it remains a personality cult, even without the central personality having the same grip on the narrative.

Aura Windfall

It's a profound identity crisis. What does it mean to be a Republican today? Is it about a set of ideas, or is it about allegiance to a person? This clash, sparked by Charlamagne, forces that question into the light for everyone to see. It’s a moment of truth for the entire conservative movement.

Aura Windfall

When we talk about impact, we're really talking about trust. And what the data shows is that trust in the official narrative is hemorrhaging. A poll from The Economist and YouGov is just staggering: more than two-thirds of all Americans, and half of Republicans, believe the government is covering up evidence in the Epstein scandal.

Mask

Those numbers are a disaster for any administration. When half of your own party thinks you're part of a cover-up, you have a massive credibility problem. This is likely a key driver behind Trump's approval rating falling to a net negative 15%. Numbers don't lie. 40% approve, 55% disapprove. That’s a steep hole to be in.

Aura Windfall

And what I know for sure is that this isn't just a political game. This erosion of trust has a deep impact on our collective spirit. It creates cynicism and division. While Trump can't run for re-election in 2028, his second term is being profoundly shaped and constrained by this public perception. He doesn't have unlimited political capital.

Mask

Exactly. A president with a -15 approval rating has a much harder time pushing any agenda. His power is diminished. The article points out that even voters of pension age, who are normally a solid Republican bloc, are "surprisingly lukewarm on the president." He's losing the establishment and an essential part of the base simultaneously.

Aura Windfall

It seems his attempts to just divert attention away from the Epstein scandal have completely failed. The issue has taken on a life of its own, and it's clinging to his presidency. It raises the question: what is the long-term impact on the MAGA base's loyalty? Can it survive this kind of perceived betrayal?

Mask

That's the billion-dollar question. The MAGA movement was built on being the ultimate outsiders, the ones fighting the corrupt system. Now, their leader is being accused of being part of that system's cover-up. This controversy is acting as a political acid, testing the bonds of loyalty that held the movement together. It could be the beginning of a major shift.

Aura Windfall

Looking to the future, it seems clear that a return to 'normal' politics is unlikely. One analysis I read suggests that the institutions and norms challenged during Trump's tenure have forever altered public expectations. The MAGA movement has fundamentally transformed the Republican party into something new. The spirit of it will outlast the man.

Mask

It's a populist movement now, centered on loyalty, nationalism, and cultural grievances more than traditional fiscal conservatism. Even now, Trump's endorsements are the deciding factor in most GOP primaries. He built a new machine, and that machine is still running, even if it's sputtering a bit over this Epstein issue. The future is populist.

Aura Windfall

There's a fascinating parallel in an article about Canada's Conservative Party. It notes they are using Trump's "combative, bulldog, anti-media" approach. But it offers a warning: "That’s opposition ball. It doesn’t work when you’ve got possession." It's a powerful insight into the future challenges of this style of politics. How do you govern once you've won?

Mask

That's the challenge. Constant disruption and combativeness are effective for a challenger, but they can lead to chaos and burnout when you're in charge. The future of the MAGA movement, and any movement like it, depends on whether it can evolve from a force of pure opposition into a force of governance. So far, the evidence of that evolution is thin.

Aura Windfall

So in the end, Donald Trump's fiery response to Charlamagne tha God has done more than create headlines. It has illuminated a deep and critical fault line within the conservative movement, forcing a conversation about its identity and its future. What a powerful moment of reckoning.

Mask

That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod. See you tomorrow.

## Donald Trump Slams Charlamagne Tha God Over Epstein Files and MAGA Movement **News Title:** Donald Trump slams Charlamagne tha God after Epstein-MAGA remark **Report Provider:** Newsweek **Authors:** Giulia Carbonaro **Published Date:** August 3, 2025 This news report details a public exchange between President Donald Trump and radio host Charlamagne tha God (Lenard McKelvey) concerning the Jeffrey Epstein files and their potential impact on the Republican Party and the MAGA movement. ### Key Information: * **Charlamagne tha God's Statement:** During an appearance on Lara Trump's Fox News show, Charlamagne tha God suggested that "traditional conservatives" might use the controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files to "take the party back" from the MAGA movement. He believes the Epstein issue has "gotten the base riled up" and presents an opportunity for a shift within the party without alienating the MAGA base. He also characterized Donald Trump as a "once-in-a-lifetime, one-on-one, political juggernaut" and suggested a "huge reset" for both parties. * **President Trump's Reaction:** President Trump responded via a Truth Social post, calling Charlamagne tha God a "sleazebag" and a "Low IQ individual" who "has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done." He also questioned the radio host's use of the name "GOD." * **The Epstein Files Controversy:** * Numerous conspiracy theories have circulated regarding Jeffrey Epstein's death in jail on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. These theories often suggest he did not die by suicide and that high-profile figures in U.S. politics may have been involved in his illegal activities, with information being suppressed. * President Trump had previously promised to release Epstein-related files if reelected, accusing Democrats of a cover-up. However, upon returning to the White House, he has reportedly dismissed questions about the files. * Some Republicans have amplified these theories, while Democrats have recently supported the release of the files, believing the ongoing discussion harms Trump. * **Official Findings:** Early last month (July 2025), the Department of Justice and the FBI stated they found no evidence of an "client list" and confirmed Epstein died by suicide, contradicting the conspiracy theories prevalent in the MAGA community. * **Internal Party Rift:** President Trump's labeling of supporters still focused on the Epstein files as "some stupid Republicans" who fell for a hoax highlights a "deepening rift within the party and his support base." * **Charlamagne tha God's View on a "Political Coup":** McKelvey described a "political coup going on right now in the Republican Party that people are not paying attention to," linked to the Epstein controversy. He also cautioned against Republicans making the same mistake Democrats did after President Obama's terms by trying to emulate Trump. * **Future Outlook:** The report concludes by stating it remains to be seen if there will be an announcement on the release of the Epstein files.

Read original at Newsweek →

President Donald Trump labeled Charlamagne tha God a "low IQ individual" after the radio host suggested conservative Republicans will use the storm around the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files to take the party back from the MAGA movement.Why It MattersThe U.S. president has tried to get the MAGA community's attention off the figure of Epstein in recent weeks.

The late New York financier and convicted sex offender, died in jail on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.What To KnowCharlamagne tha God, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, made the comments during an interview with Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee, in an episode of her Fox News show."

I think that traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back," McKelvey told Lara Trump. "I think this Epstein thing is going to be a way for traditional conservatives to take their party back, I really do," The Breakfast Club co-host added."I think they know this is the issue that has gotten the base riled up.

The MAGA base isn't letting this issue go, and for the first time, they know they can probably take the party back and not piss off the MAGA base."Hours later in a Truth Social post, President Trump called McKelvey a "sleazebag."Charlamagne tha God, left, appears on "My View With Lara Trump" at Fox News Studios on July 31, 2025, in New York City, and U.

S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs...Jamie McCarthy/Win McNamee/Getty Images "(Why is he allowed to use the word 'GOD' when describing himself? Can anyone imagine the uproar there would be if I used that nickname?)," the president wrote."He's a Low IQ individual, has no idea what words are coming out of his mouth, and knows nothing about me or what I have done."

A Dangerous Storm for the President and MAGANumerous conspiracy theories around the figure of Epstein have emerged in the years since his death, proving particularly popular with the MAGA base. Some claim that Epstein did not die of suicide in jail, while others suggest that several high-profile figures in U.

S. politics may have been involved in the financier's illegal activities—and that this information is being kept secret for less than transparent reasons.Ahead of the presidential election last November, President Trump promised he would release various files linked to the Epstein trial if reelected, accusing Democrats of covering up the truth.

However, after his return to the White House, the president has shut down any question about the Epstein files, telling a reporter last month: "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years…That is unbelievable."While some Republicans have been fueling these theories through the years, Democrats have recently rallied around the release of the so-called Epstein files—documents about criminal investigations surrounding the New York financier and former friend of the president—as they believe that the back-and-forth on the issue is hurting Trump.

Early last month, the Department of Justice and the FBI said that they found no evidence of a "client list" belonging to Epstein and that he did die by suicide, contradicting the existing conspiracy theories making the rounds in the MAGA community.President Trump described some of his most loyal supporters still clamoring over the Epstein files as "some stupid Republicans" who fell for a hoax, revealing a deepening rift within the party and his support base.

Time for a 'Political Coup'According to McKelvey, there is a "political coup going on right now in the Republican Party that people are not paying attention to," linked to the entire controversy around Epstein. But the radio host suggested that, at the next election, Republicans might make the same mistake that Democrats made after President Barack Obama's two mandates—trying to be like him.

What People Are SayingCharlamagne tha God talking to Lara Trump on Fox News: "Say what you want, Donald Trump is a once-in-a-lifetime, one-on-one, political juggernaut, you are not going to be Donald Trump. If you think you are going to be able to do what Donald Trump has done, talk the way Donald Trump has talked, get away with what Donald Trump has gotten away with, it's not going to happen."

So, everybody right now, we have the opportunity to have a huge reset. I think you should blow it all up, I think people are sick and tired of what we've been presented from both parties," he added.What Happens NextIt remains to be seen if there will be an announcement on the release of the Epstein files.

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