Trump slams Charlamagne tha God over Epstein remarks and Republican Party takeover claims

President Donald Trump publicly criticized radio host Charlamagne tha God on Saturday after the media personality suggested that renewed attention on Jeffrey Epstein could allow traditional conservatives to reclaim influence in the Republican Party.

Speaking with Lara Trump on her Fox News show, Charlamagne—whose real name is Lenard McKelvey—argued that the Epstein controversy has energized the MAGA base in a way that opens the door for an internal political shift. “I think traditional conservatives are going to take the Republican Party back,” McKelvey said, noting that the issue could be a unifying force. “The MAGA base isn’t letting this issue go.”

In response, Trump lashed out on Truth Social, calling McKelvey a “low IQ individual” and a “sleazebag,” and questioned the appropriateness of his stage name. “Can anyone imagine the uproar if I used that nickname?” he wrote. Trump accused the radio host of being uninformed and misrepresenting both his leadership and legacy.

The controversy comes amid broader tensions over the legacy of Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Though Trump previously pledged to release Epstein-related documents if reelected, he has recently downplayed the matter, telling a reporter: “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? That is unbelievable.”

Early last month, the Department of Justice and the FBI reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide and confirmed they found no evidence of a so-called “client list,” countering theories that persist within segments of the MAGA movement.

Despite this, Epstein-related speculation remains prominent among some of Trump’s loyal supporters—whom he recently described as “some stupid Republicans” falling for a hoax—highlighting deepening divides in the GOP.

McKelvey characterized these tensions as part of a “political coup” within the party. He warned Republicans against trying to imitate Trump in future elections, saying: “You are not going to be Donald Trump... I think you should blow it all up. People are sick and tired of what we've been presented from both parties.”

It remains unclear whether the Epstein files will ever be released.