Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that the dispute concerning has pushed President Donald Trump “over the edge” following his public retraction of support for the Georgia representative.
Greene, and of the president, remarked in an X post on Friday evening that “it’s truly astonishing how vehemently he’s striving to prevent the Epstein files from being released, to the extent that he’s resorted to this.”
“And naturally, he’s intensely targeting me to set an example and intimidate all other Republicans ahead of next week’s vote on releasing the Epstein files,” she added.
This dramatic development occurs as the House of Representatives advances —a procedural maneuver enabling members to bypass House leadership to introduce a bill for a floor vote if a majority consents—regarding the disclosure of the Epstein files.
At present, every House Democrat and four Republican representatives: Thomas Massie, Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, and Greene, have endorsed the petition. Both the White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson have actively campaigned against making these files public.
Greene’s post additionally included images of text messages she reportedly sent to Trump or his advisors on Friday, pressing him to make public the so-called Epstein files—a general term for the extensive collection of thousands of pages of documents, records, police interviews, confiscated hard drives, and other evidence gathered from inquiries into the convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In one message, she seemingly wrote: “Stop disregarding the women.”
Her social media update was a reaction to a post by the president late Friday, where he declared his retraction of support for Greene. Trump, nonetheless, provided justifications unrelated to the Epstein files.
“…all I observe ‘Wacky’ Marjorie doing is COMPLAINING, COMPLAINING, COMPLAINING! This appeared to commence when I shared a poll with her indicating she shouldn’t contend for Senator or Governor, as she stood at 12% and lacked prospects (unless, naturally, she secured my Endorsement—which was not forthcoming!),” he penned.
He further stated, “She has communicated to numerous individuals her displeasure that I no longer answer her calls, but with 219 Congress members, 53 U.S. Senators, 24 Cabinet officials, nearly 200 Nations, and an otherwise typical life to manage, I cannot accept calls from a raving Lunatic daily. I am aware that admirable, Conservative citizens in her Georgia District are contemplating a primary challenge against Marjorie, as they are similarly weary of her and her behavior, and should an appropriate candidate emerge, they will receive my Full and Steadfast Support.”
Greene asserted that Trump “assailed me and made false statements about me” in his message.
“I haven’t telephoned him whatsoever, but I did transmit these text messages today. Evidently, this is what provoked his extreme reaction. The Epstein files.”
On Friday, Trump additionally criticized Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, who, along with Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, spearheaded the discharge petition. In a separate Truth Social post, Trump referred to him as a “,” without referencing the Epstein files.
The Relationship Between Trump and Epstein
Trump has endured persistent scrutiny regarding his connection with Epstein. The former president has consistently asserted that his association with Epstein was confined to social engagements typical in Palm Beach, Florida, where both individuals possessed real estate during the 1990s. Epstein’s residence was situated merely from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property, and the financier was a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago for a period of several years.
“Indeed, I was acquainted with him just as everyone in Palm Beach was. I mean, he was known by the people of Palm Beach. He was a well-known personality there,” Trump stated, shortly after Epstein’s charges were brought. “Our relationship soured a long time ago. I don’t believe I’ve communicated with him in 15 years. I did not admire him.”
Such inquiries have intensified as his administration sought to obstruct the release of the documents, and subsequent to Ghislaine Maxwell, a longstanding associate of who is currently serving a 20-year prison term for child sex trafficking and related crimes, being relocated to facilities typically designated for individuals convicted of financial offenses after interrogation by Trump’s .
The estrangement between Trump and Greene, who counts among his most fervent MAGA adherents, indicates a further widening division within the president’s supporter base concerning the Epstein files.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to disclose the Epstein files.
In June 2024, when questioned by Fox News’ Rachel Campos-Duffy about whether he would “declassify the Epstein files,” Trump affirmed, “Yes, yes, I would.”
A number of individuals within Trump’s close advisory group gained recognition as passionate proponents for the release of these documents.
Kash Patel, prior to joining the Trump Administration as FBI Director, asserted that the agency he now helms was shielding Epstein by withholding the files, “due to the identities on that list.” He promised a “surge of transparency” upon assuming his role, and had exhorted Trump to “reveal the black book on day one” of his term.
Attorney General Pam Bondi concurred that the Epstein files ought to be made public, and on February 21, when inquired by Fox News if “Jeffrey Epstein’s client list” would be released, Bondi stated it was “currently on my desk for review.” Bondi later clarified that she was referring to the Epstein files, not specifically the client list. Her Department of Justice subsequently announced in a statement that the alleged client list—a widely speculated roster of prominent individuals to whom Epstein supplied young girls from his sex trafficking operation—does , sparking a wave of condemnation from elements within the MAGA base itself.
Subsequent to these events, both Bondi and Patel have endeavored to put the issue behind them. In February, Bondi made public the of the “Epstein Files,” though an examination revealed that the majority of the content had previously been disclosed, and numerous documents featured extensive redactions.
In July, the FBI and DOJ officially concluded the Epstein investigation in a joint , asserting they “found no evidence that could justify an inquiry against uncharged third parties.”
Trump himself repeatedly tried to stop discussions regarding the Epstein files.
“Is Jeffrey Epstein still a topic of conversation for you? This individual has been discussed for years,” Trump inquired of a reporter in July who posed a question to Bondi about reviewing the Epstein files. “Are people still conversing about this fellow? This loathsome person? That is truly astonishing.”
He even criticized his own supporters who were upset following the DOJ’s memo announcing the absence of a client list: “My FORMER supporters have fully embraced this ‘nonsense,’ hook, line, and sinker,” he posted on in July. “I no longer desire their backing!”