The Fear of One's Own Movement – How Loomer, Epstein, and Vance Are Shaking Trump's MAGA World

It began with a sentence that struck like a punch through his own ranks: "The Epstein files are a made-up Democrat hoax." Donald Trump repeated these words publicly, clearly, definitively. And Laura Loomer - one of the loudest voices behind the Epstein conspiracy theory - reposted the quote. Without comment. Without defense. Without clarification. In the logic of a movement built on absolute loyalty and fixed enemies, this was not an endorsement - it was a signal. One that is now sending a wave of distrust, division, and quiet rebellion through the ranks of the MAGA base.

Our research shows: Behind the façade of a unified movement, a power struggle is unfolding that can no longer be ignored. Loomer, once a celebrated Infowars activist, is now a fixed star in the Telegram universe of Trump’s ultra-right - and it is precisely there that a faction is increasingly forming, not fighting the establishment, but the once-untouchable leader himself. Trump's denial of the Epstein files, his attempts to shut down the topic, feel like betrayal to a belief system that many of his supporters see as essential. The question "Is Trump part of the cover-up?" is no longer taboo - it is being asked openly, in livestreams, comments, and forums. And Loomer? She remains silent - and gains influence. On top of this comes the nomination of JD Vance as vice-presidential candidate, opening a second front. Vance, once a declared "Never Trumper," had previously compared Trump to Hitler before transforming into a loyal follower. In Loomer's world, that transformation is nothing but hypocrisy. And even though she is not currently attacking him head-on, her disapproval is clear. Vance represents an intellectualized, state-oriented wing of the right that shares little overlap with the digital fringes of QAnon, Revolver News, and the Loomer channels. But precisely there, in these borderlands, a new center of power is emerging - beyond Trump, but not beyond MAGA.

The connection to Steve Bannon, Garrett Ziegler, and Darren Beattie amplifies this effect. Loomer has been a guest several times on Bannon’s "War Room" podcast and shares his ideological DNA: anti-globalism, anti-establishment, anti-mainstream. But while Bannon is caught up in legal trouble, Loomer gains room to maneuver - and influence. Should Trump stumble - whether through new revelations, legal defeats, or an electoral shock - she is in position: not as a classical opponent, but as a prophet of the true, unadulterated Trumpism. A Trumpism that has detached itself from Trump. That is the core of the danger. Loomer needs no rupture, no open feud. Her power grows with each silence, each hint, each reaction from her community. Her tactic: no distance from MAGA - but distance from a Trump who seems too compromising, too defensive, too dependent. When she says she is "just asking questions," what she means is: I am offering you an alternative. And anyone who believes this development affects only the United States fails to grasp the transnational dynamics of right-wing movements. The rise of pseudo-religious influencers, the resurgence of conspiracy-laden myths, the radicalization of Telegram channels, the manipulation of doubt - these are all mechanisms already at play in Europe. Loomer's methods are a textbook for right-wing subversion - and her current ascent a warning signal for anyone who believes populism ends where its leader grows tired. Trump has unleashed a civil war within - without intending to. And Loomer is ready to win it - not against him, but in his place.