- Trump publicly attacked Rep. Thomas Massie as a "weak RINO" and urged his removal for pushing transparency on Jeffrey Epstein files.
- Massie's and Marjorie Taylor Greene's calls to release Epstein-related documents spotlight GOP tensions and risks of silencing dissent ahead of 2026.
In a fiery late-night post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump unleashed a scathing attack on Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, labeling him a “Weak and Pathetic RINO” and demanding his swift removal from office.
This outburst, which came amid Massie’s persistent push for transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal, underscores growing tensions within the GOP over the handling of sensitive documents tied to the late financier.
Trump, who won Kentucky six times according to his own count, accused Massie of consistently voting against Republican interests and making things easier for the “Radical Left.”
The FrankNez Media Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.
He went further, endorsing former Navy SEAL Captain Ed Gallrein as a potential primary challenger, calling him a “WINNER” who wouldn’t let down the MAGA base.
Massie, representing Kentucky’s 4th District, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s approach to the Epstein case.
Alongside Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, he co-authored a discharge petition aimed at forcing a House vote to compel the Justice Department to release additional investigative files—documents where Trump’s name has reportedly appeared.
This move defies GOP leadership and comes after the Justice Department and FBI concluded in July that Epstein’s 2019 death was a suicide with no client list to disclose.
thedailybeast.com Massie’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed; he’s faced backlash, including from the White House, which he described as “disgusting” for attempting to block the files.
In a recent poll by Kaplan Strategies, Massie’s favorability among likely Republican primary voters sits at just 23%, dropping to 14% against a Trump-backed opponent, fueling the president’s confidence in ousting him.
Is Marjorie Taylor Greene Trump’s Next Target?
But Massie isn’t alone in this fight. Fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has emerged as a staunch advocate for disclosing the Epstein files, joining forces with survivors and bipartisan lawmakers to demand accountability.
At a Capitol Hill press conference, Greene stood with Epstein victims and vowed, “I’ll say every damn name” from the alleged list of abusers if necessary.
She’s threatened to leverage constitutional immunity to reveal the identities of sex offenders linked to Epstein’s network, emphasizing the need for full transparency.
Greene has openly criticized her party for dragging its feet, hammering Republicans for not supporting the release and denying accusations of being a “Trump traitor.”
In a candid CNN interview, she admitted feeling “afraid” amid the intense pressure surrounding the petition, noting it’s the most she’s encountered on any issue.
An Authoritarian Call to Avoid Accountability?
Trump’s aggressive stance against Massie—part of a broader pattern of punishing GOP dissenters—has sparked concerns that it could chill other voices within the party, including Greene’s.
Once a loyal Trump ally, Greene has increasingly bucked the administration on topics like the Epstein files, the Gaza war, and government shutdowns.
Analysts worry this authoritarian push might extend to her or others who challenge the White House narrative, especially on a scandal that has dogged Trump due to his past association with Epstein.
Trump once called Epstein a “terrific guy” who liked women “on the younger side,” though there’s no evidence of criminal wrongdoing on his part.
The president’s refusal to rule out pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, has only amplified suspicions of favoritism.
The dangers of quieting government officials on the Epstein matter extend far beyond party infighting. Victims like Danielle Bensky have sued the Justice Department, accusing it of rewriting history and silencing their stories.
Epstein survivors gathered on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to release the files, arguing that withholding them “smacks of a cover-up.”
Legal experts from Northeastern University have warned that claims of protecting victim safety are being politicized, potentially endangering transparency and justice.
The White House has tightened its grip on Epstein-related messaging, requiring high-level vetting for any administration comments, which critics say stifles open discourse.
This approach risks blowback, as political historian Matt Dallek noted: “The faulty assumption Trump and others make is they can peddle conspiracy theories without any blowback.”
In a case rife with dark theories and QAnon ties, suppressing officials’ calls for disclosure could erode public trust and hinder accountability for powerful figures.
As the 2026 midterms loom, Trump’s strategy to purge critics like Massie may rally his base but alienate moderates and independents wary of internal purges.
Meanwhile, the Epstein saga continues to simmer, with bipartisan pressure mounting despite the administration’s efforts to quash it.
For now, voices like Greene’s persist, but the precedent set here could make speaking out even riskier for those in power.
Also Read: Republicans Face Growing Backlash as Voters Blame Them for Govt. Shutdown
