Trump supporters burn Maga hats after he dismisses Epstein files furor as ‘hoax’

Mike Pence is latest prominent figure to call for release of files on sex offender once close to president

Donald Trump dons his MAGA hat before greeting members of the military and their families during the Military Family Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House. File picture: Brendan Smialowski/Getty

Donald Trump’s efforts to dismiss the criticism over his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files as a “hoax” showed no sign of working on Thursday as more prominent figures from across the political spectrum emerged to attack the US president and some of his supporters recorded videos burning their signature Make America Great Again hats.

Days after the Republican speaker of the House, the Trump loyalist Mike Johnson, called for the release of all documents relating to the late financier, a convicted sex offender and longtime former friend of Trump’s, rebellion continued to simmer within the president’s normally diehard base.