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Main Points
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and President Donald Trump truly have disagreed concerning the Epstein files.
- It’s incorrect for Democrats and progressives to presume this indicates Greene is renouncing MAGA.
- Greene’s words imply she believes she is shielding Trump from problematic advisors.
Apologies, Elon Musk — the fallout between President Donald Trump and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is shaping up to be the most tumultuous split of Trump’s second term.
In case you missed it, Greene — of Jewish space lasers infamy — appears to be opposing Trump due to his reluctance to urge the Justice Department to disseminate all records pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein. “MTG,” as she is called, has consistently presented herself as a firm advocate for Epstein’s victims. For a considerable period, she maintained this stance while also defending Trump against each and every critique.
However, as Congress approached the passage of legislation to release the files publicly, circumstances shifted. According to reports, Trump was resistant to the file release. However, MTG was supportive — to the point where she was prepared to risk his anger as a consequence.
“Something transformed in her over the past month or two; I believe, politically,” Trump expressed last Friday, prior to disseminating Truth Social posts labeling her “wacky,” a “raving Lunatic,” and a “traitor” across the weekend. He further retracted his endorsement for MTG and prompted another Republican, presumably someone more loyal to him and less concerned about Epstein’s offenses, to take her place.
Naturally, Greene retaliated. Indeed, on Tuesday, as both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly voted for the file release, Greene countered: “I was branded a traitor by someone I campaigned for during five, no, actually six years, and I gave him my allegiance freely,” she stated. “I am no traitor.”
This exchange has, predictably, amused a significant portion of the anti-Trump community. “Marjorie Taylor Greene is dominating Donald Trump presently,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries posted this week. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, implied that MTG is on a “revenge campaign” to undermine Trump. Another leading Democrat, Representative Jamie Raskin, even hinted at potential for MTG among Democrats, “should she wish to switch sides.”
As a regular listener and viewer of the various podcasts and alternative media circles that MAGA and Trump allies inhabit, I suspected this degree of celebration was at least premature, if not fundamentally misguided. I’ve concluded that the reality is more nuanced — and in some aspects, stranger — than the “MTG vs. Trump” story suggests. In essence, it appears MTG is trying to rescue Trump from himself, rather than to save MAGA from Trump.
Liberal Interpretations of MTG’s Statements
One can understand why the Trump critical sphere is somewhat thrilled by this messy dispute.
In recent weeks, MTG has conveyed a slightly different tone compared to the persona we have come to recognize over the last five to six years. She has issued apologies for her involvement in fostering “toxic politics,” asserting she was deceived by the QAnon conspiracy. She has claimed she was unaware of any antisemitic undertones when implying a “Rothschild” investment bank and space lasers were responsible for California’s wildfires.
“It is something I’ve reflected on extensively, particularly since Charlie Kirk was assassinated,” she remarked regarding her prior rhetoric during a CNN appearance this week. “I bear sole responsibility for my own statements and behaviors, and I am devoted — and have been diligently focusing on this recently — to cease political aggression.”
The shift in image appears to be effective, at least to some extent; even prominent Democrats are acknowledging she’s experienced a “surprisingly enlightened few weeks.”
That, in turn, has prompted intrigue and genuine curiosity — could MTG now become a valuable ally in dismantling Trump and fracturing his MAGA base?
“I believe she’s undergoing an ‘aha’ moment,” Ana Navarro, a co-host of the View who interviewed her on the program last month, pondered afterward. “I trust this … signifies she will evolve into a voice of reason, an independent voice … rather than simply adhering to a party agenda.” Her co-hosts seemed to concur, stating it was “encouraging” to observe her advocating for the Epstein victims.
Concurrently, others are interpreting this change as a signal that MTG is abandoning “Trump’s sinking ship” — that she is merely discarding a “weak” authoritarian whose movement is poised to “collapse.”
However, this “unwonted respect,” as described by one conservative writer, might be overlooking a more intricate dynamic.
MTG’s Actual Stance
Upon scrutinizing Greene’s interviews and remarks spanning from late summer into the fall, a pattern emerged.
When she conveyed to the View co-hosts that “nothing about me has changed,” she appeared to be sincere. And in this regard, at least, I am inclined to believe her: She deeply believes in the central tenets of the MAGA movement and perceives that the president has been misled by advisors who feign comprehension and appreciation for MAGA in the manner she does. For a period, she seemed to believe she could steer Trump back on course and attributed his misdirection to the party establishment — and certain elements within conservative media.
It might be beneficial to define these core convictions. Fortunately, she and Tucker Carlson recently outlined the five mainstays of MAGA during an October conversation: America First, Secure Borders, No Unnecessary Wars, End Globalization, and Protect Free Speech.
MTG conveyed to Carlson in late October that these principles propelled her to become a Trump supporter. “I admire that man,” she recollected thinking. “Those are all of the reasons I championed him from the onset when he took the stage amongst 17 Republican presidential hopefuls. The remainder, in my assessment, were greasy politicians. But Donald Trump used language I grasped, and he was the sole candidate who resonated with me.”
The rest of this dialogue, and another October discussion she conducted with the podcaster and comedian Tim Dillon, reveal the progression that resulted in MTG’s conflict with Trump.
“I am MAGA through and through. Nobody can question my credentials. I was never a never Trumper. I have consistently been 100 percent Donald Trump, 100 percent America first. And yet, here we are,” she told Dillon.
“I’m a doer. Do not merely say you will accomplish things and then fail to do so. That’s what has always upset me, isn’t it?” she expressed. “I deeply appreciate numerous actions taken by the president, but I’m truly dissatisfied with the trajectory of Congress.”
The other matters she has criticized the administration and her party on — failure to end the war in Gaza, continuous foreign assistance to Ukraine and Israel, financial aid to Argentina — have been accumulating. However, it seems the Epstein files issue is what propelled her to take the subsequent step and directly challenge the president.
Nonetheless, it remains crucial to recognize that none of this indicates a desire for a permanent break with Trump. In fact, she has already stated her intention to continue supporting him and his platform. She even suggested the potential for a more formal apology — contingent upon the prior release of the Epstein files. Her aspiration is for the MAGA movement to deliver results for its voters and supporters. Furthermore, she still appears to believe Trump is essential for this to occur.
“I adore Donald Trump, and I have the privilege to voice these concerns because of my immense affection for him,” she informed Carlson. “I have the ability to speak candidly and convey the truth because I have been steadfastly aboard the MAGA train since its departure. … I have the right to point out instances when matters are going awry and veering off course. … Excuse my phrasing, but I am thoroughly incensed by Republicans at this moment.”
Do these remarks suggest a recently converted Trump detractor? Not exactly. However, neither do they represent the rhetoric of the former MTG. The trajectory of the relationship between these two MAGA leaders is uncertain. The actual contents of the Epstein files may potentially reshape this dynamic. Nevertheless, one aspect will persist: The previous MTG-Trump relationship is defunct, even if a fresh alliance reemerges.
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Source: vox.com
