America First revolts after Trump welcomes Alan Dershowitz to MAGA

President Donald Trump prompted backlash from his MAGA followers and other "America First" Republicans, after making a post hailing Alan Dershowitz as a "Great American Patriot."

Dershowitz is a longtime attorney and cable news fixture, best known for his tendency to work with high-profile clients, and ones who are often seen as controversial, including the likes of Jim Bakker and Harvey Weinstein. He also notably served on a legal team for the notorious Jeffrey Epstein, helping to secure his widely condemned 2006 non-prosecution agreement, which saw him walk away from serious charges with relatively light consequences.

On Wednesday, Trump's official Truth Social account shared a post promoting Dershowitz's new book, "Why I Quit the Dems: And You Should Too," about his rejection of the Democratic Party and reluctant embrace of Republicans.

"The Highly Respected Alan Dershowitz has written a powerful new book, 'Why I quit the Dems and so should you! (confessions of a reluctant Republican*)," the post read. "Alan is a Great American Patriot who understands the Wisdom and Courage it takes to defend Democracy from Communism, and it is our Honor to welcome him into the Party of COMMON SENSE! There are many others, like Alan, who feel abandoned by the Radical Left Dumocrats, and are fleeing the Dumocrat Party, and Blue States, for FREEDOM — This Book is for you."

This post, shared on Tuesday night, began to circulate on X, and was received with disgust by many conservative and MAGA followers, who have generally felt betrayed by Trump's handling of the Epstein files. One of the biggest names to react on the platform was Rep. Thomas Massie, the outgoing Republican lawmaker who was successfully primaried after his criticism of the president.

"Trump expands his base by welcoming Epstein’s lawyer Alan Dershowitz into MAGA. This should work out great for the midterms," he wrote in a post to X, alongside the famed "This Is Fine" meme.

"'THE Highly Respected' Alan Dershowitz," Buckley Carlson, the son of Tucker Carlson and former JD Vance staffer, wrote on X, sarcastically attributing the quote to, "Donald Trump, world-renowned military strategist, Economist, Ethicist, & Deacon."

"You can’t make this up. Trump just called Jeffrey Epstein’s former lawyer Alan Dershowitz 'highly respected' and endorsed his new book," Kacee Allen, the former Republican podcast, wrote in a post. "I’m sure there’s no connection between the Trump administration covering up the Epstein files and Trump staying on good terms with ALL of Epstein’s former associates. This is the Epstein Administration."

Numerous other reactions emerged from accounts claiming to be conservative or MAGA-aligned, variously calling Trump's post "gross," "crazy" or "evil," and accusing him of "treason" and being a "sleazy traitor."