In 2016, Donald Trump famously declared, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters.” This statement, made just weeks before the Iowa caucus, captured the unusual loyalty he commanded within his political base. The past nine years have underscored this phenomenon, highlighting a complicated relationship between Trump and his supporters.

Despite enduring two impeachments, intense scrutiny surrounding immigration policies, and numerous controversies—including 34 felony charges and attempts to overturn the election—Trump’s “Make America Great Again” faction and the majority of the Republican Party have remained steadfast. However, recent events suggest that even this strong allegiance may be wavering.

The most significant challenge to Trump’s support base has emerged from the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein saga. Trump recently urged House Republicans to oppose the release of Epstein’s files, yet nearly 100 lawmakers disregarded his advice, marking a notable act of defiance during his second term. This unexpected pushback forced Trump into a surprising reversal, ultimately instructing them to vote in favor of releasing the documents.

Other signs indicate that Trump’s once-unquestioned grip may be loosening. In Indiana, for instance, he sought to influence Republicans to redraw voting maps to gain an additional House seat, but many lawmakers resisted, leaving the original maps intact.

Trump has responded to the insubordination in the ways he knows best: with pettiness and cruelty.

He also attempted to urge Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, a push that ultimately failed, and stirred controversy with his proposal of 50-year mortgages, which was met with dissent from right-wing figures.

Trump’s reaction to dissent has been pointed. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, who has openly challenged Trump on various issues, became a target of the president’s ire after Massie’s marriage, with Trump suggesting that Massie’s wife would soon realize she was “stuck with a LOSER!” Similarly, Indiana state senator Rod Bray was labeled “weak and pathetic.” Even Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene faced Trump’s scorn for breaking ranks on the Epstein issue, facing bizarre and harsh critiques in a Truth Social post.

As Trump searches for someone to blame, he has turned his vitriol toward the media, which he has long considered a rival. This past week, Trump dismissed questions regarding the Epstein files’ release by ridiculing journalists, calling one a “terrible person” and another “a terrible reporter.”

Trump’s intense confrontations with the press have escalated, escalating his legal battles with news organizations. He has pressured CBS News and Disney for financial compensation through lawsuits, while also considering legal actions against CNN. His targeted attacks raise questions about the future of independent journalism in an era where corporate media seems increasingly accommodating to his demands.

With the Republican Party appearing less compliant with Trump’s wishes than ever before, the road ahead for Trump remains uncertain. The question persists: will the independent press be able to withstand his growing aggression as he becomes more vengeful in response to dissent?