Former President Donald Trump has intensified his verbal assault on Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, openly dismissing her claims that his public criticism has placed her in physical danger.
Escalating Political Conflict
The political rift between Trump and his former ally widened significantly over the weekend when Greene revealed she had received security warnings following Trump's social media attacks. On Sunday morning, Greene told CNN that being labelled a "traitor" by Trump represented the "most hurtful" aspect of his remarks.
Trump responded hours later by repeating the insult during comments to reporters before boarding Air Force One at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. "Marjorie 'Traitor' Greene," the former president stated, adding "I don't think her life is in danger... I don't think anybody cares about her."
Epstein Files Reversal
The public fallout between the two Republicans emerged as Trump performed a significant policy reversal regarding the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump used his Truth Social platform to urge House Republicans to vote for releasing the Epstein files, despite previously resisting such moves.
His Sunday post declared: "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide. And it's time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics."
The change in position followed House Speaker Mike Johnson's statement that he believed a vote on releasing Department of Justice documents in the Epstein case should help dispel allegations connecting Trump to the scandal.
Security Concerns and Political Fallout
Greene, a US House of Representatives member from Georgia previously known for her staunch loyalty to Trump, has recently adopted positions conflicting with the former president. She revealed on Saturday that private security firms had contacted her with safety warnings and that previous harsh attacks against her had resulted in death threats.
The congresswoman emphasised that Trump's online criticism had triggered a surge of threats directed at her, though Trump maintained his position that he didn't believe anyone was genuinely targeting her.
Emails released last week by a House committee showed that Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019, believed Trump "knew about the girls," though the precise meaning of this phrase remains unclear. Trump has previously stated that he and Epstein fell out decades ago, before Epstein's convictions.
Additional Political Developments
In related political developments:
- Republican congressman Thomas Massie challenged Trump over whether the former president was attempting to prevent full Epstein files disclosure
- The United States conducted an attack on an alleged drug trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in three fatalities
- Trump indicated potential talks with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro amid escalating regional tensions
- The former president defended Tucker Carlson's interview with far-right activist Nick Fuentes
- Trump suggested a possible meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani
- Seventeen transgender US air force members sued the Trump administration over denied retirement benefits
The ongoing conflict between Trump and Greene highlights deepening divisions within the Republican party as the former president continues to exert significant influence over party dynamics while facing multiple legal and political challenges.
