A bombshell new set of polls has sent tremors through Washington, revealing just how dramatically public opinion of Donald Trump has shifted following the renewed uproar over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The numbers, released this week by Pew Research Center and Reuters/Ipsos, show a nation bitterly divided — but also, for the first time in years, a steep decline in Trump’s support among independent voters and suburban conservatives.
According to the new data, Trump’s overall favorability has plunged to 38% nationally — his lowest since early 2021. The sharp drop follows weeks of controversy after Democrats released a cache of newly uncovered Epstein-related emails that appeared to reference Trump and several other high-profile figures in ambiguous, cryptic exchanges. While the emails don’t prove wrongdoing, they’ve reignited one of the most toxic debates in American politics — and reopened old wounds from Trump’s social circles in the 1990s.
“People are tired,” said political strategist Maya Henley. “They’re exhausted by scandal fatigue, and this Epstein situation, even without direct evidence, has hit a nerve.”
“New national poll shows Trump’s approval nosedive amid revived Epstein scandal — the sharpest dip in years.” @CNNPolitics
The poll comes as Trump faces multiple criminal trials and continues his campaign for the 2024 election, where he remains the Republican frontrunner. But inside his camp, sources tell NBC News there’s growing concern over how the Epstein controversy could affect his credibility among key female voters. “He’s furious about it,” one insider said. “He thinks the Democrats are weaponizing ancient history to smear him again. But this time, the numbers really spooked his team.”
While Trump has dismissed the emails as “fake” and “political garbage,” the fallout has been swift. On Truth Social, he wrote: “I NEVER met Epstein after his conviction, NEVER went to his island, and any mention of me is 100% false. Total witch hunt!”
But the damage may already be done. A separate survey from Axios found that nearly 60% of Americans now believe Trump is “hiding something” about his past associations — up 15 points since August. “This isn’t just about Epstein,” said Dr. Rachel Freedman, a political psychologist. “It’s about cumulative distrust. Each new scandal reinforces the narrative of secrecy and power abuse.”
Social media has erupted with speculation and frustration. Some of Trump’s most loyal defenders are calling the emails “fabricated deep-state ops,” while critics see them as “proof of a long-running pattern.” Hashtags like #EpsteinEmails and #TrumpApprovalDrop have dominated trending lists all week.
“The new polls show Americans are paying attention — the Epstein mess has left a mark.” @MSNBC
Even conservative commentators have begun acknowledging the political fallout. Fox analyst Brian Kilmeade said on air, “Whether it’s fair or not, this story is sticking. Voters don’t like the smell of secrecy — especially when it comes to Epstein.”
Inside Republican circles, some strategists are reportedly panicking. “We were hoping the economy and border issues would drown out the scandals,” a senior GOP aide told The Washington Post. “But this Epstein narrative has legs. It’s cutting through in a way that Stormy Daniels or Mar-a-Lago didn’t.”
Public reaction has also taken a moral tone. One viral post on Reddit read: “It’s not about guilt or innocence anymore — it’s about character. And people are finally asking, who are we electing?”
Still, Trump’s base appears unshaken. At a rally in Ohio last week, supporters chanted “Witch hunt!” and “Fake news!” as he took the stage. In his speech, Trump blamed “media vultures” and “radical left liars” for what he called “the most disgusting smear campaign in U.S. history.”
“Trump calls Epstein-linked emails ‘total fake’ at Ohio rally — crowd chants ‘witch hunt!’” @Newsweek
Despite the defiance, some former allies are reportedly distancing themselves. One ex-Trump advisor told Business Insider, “Even if none of it’s true, the optics are brutal. Every time Epstein’s name reappears, people are reminded of photos, flights, parties — and it chips away at the myth of invincibility.”
The renewed attention comes just weeks after a bipartisan group of lawmakers called for the full public release of all unredacted Epstein documents, a move that has gained overwhelming support online. “Transparency is the only way forward,” tweeted Senator @tedcruz. “Americans deserve to know the full truth — whoever it implicates.”
Poll analysts say the drop could have real implications for 2024. “When independents and women move away, you can’t win the general,” said pollster Dan Mallory. “Right now, Trump’s numbers look dangerously close to underwater in states like Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia.”
But Trump’s team insists the polls mean nothing. In a statement to Axios, campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said, “Fake polls, fake stories, same playbook. The only poll that matters is on Election Day.”
Meanwhile, critics are urging media outlets to handle the Epstein-linked material with caution. “There’s a difference between transparency and sensationalism,” warned investigative journalist Andrea Keller. “But what’s undeniable is that Epstein’s ghost still haunts American politics — and Trump can’t seem to escape it.”
“Epstein’s shadow stretches far beyond one man — it’s about power, secrets, and America’s moral reckoning.” @Reuters
For now, the data paints a grim picture for Trump’s re-election strategy. The same man once described as “politically bulletproof” is facing a public slowly losing its patience — and perhaps, finally, its trust. As one voter told NBC, “You can survive scandals, but you can’t survive doubt.”