【Text by Observer News, Liu Bai】The Epstein case is becoming a focal point of division within the Republican Party and the MAGA faction.
Not long ago, U.S. President Trump and MAGA "Queen" Marjorie Taylor Greene — once the closest allies — openly fell out.
On November 14, Trump suddenly exploded on his social media, publishing a long article to announce that he was withdrawing his support and endorsement for Greene's participation in the midterm elections, calling her a "yelling madman" and "eccentric," accusing her of holding "severely left-wing" views and constantly complaining, and stating that he would support Republican candidates challenging Greene.
Greene did not back down, attacking Trump's move as a warning to others, to prevent the release of documents related to Epstein next week, and she also posted screenshots of text messages she sent to Trump and his aides as evidence.
Rep. Greene from Georgia, a Republican, is one of those pushing for the release of documents related to the Epstein case. She has recently criticized Trump for focusing too much on foreign policy and neglecting domestic issues and economic matters. This rift comes at a sensitive political moment, with recent losses in local elections for the Republicans and the approaching midterms, highlighting the growing fractures within the MAGA movement.
The Epstein case became the spark
American cable news network CNN described Trump's statement as marking a major political split that had lasted for weeks, with the undercurrents between former allies finally erupting fully. Greene had been criticizing Trump on multiple issues recently, leading them further apart, and the controversy surrounding the Epstein case has become the focus in Washington, leading to this open conflict.
"I am withdrawing my support and endorsement for Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene," he added, noting that Greene is running for re-election in 2026, but she has already "moved to the far left."
"She told many people that she was upset that I didn't return her calls, but I have 219 members of Congress, 53 senators, 24 cabinet members, and nearly 200 countries to deal with, plus a normal life to live. I can't take a call from a yelling madman every day!"
Over the past few weeks, Greene has publicly warned that Trump focuses too much on foreign policy and hasn't done enough to promote his domestic agenda.
She conveyed this message through media outlets such as CNN, ABC's "View" program. Greene, who entered Congress in 2021, was until recently a passionate and outspoken supporter of Trump.
In response, Greene posted on X on the same day criticizing Trump for lying and pointing out that the Epstein case was the main reason for his withdrawal of support.
"Of course, he attacked me so fiercely because he wants to set an example, scaring other Republicans before the vote next week on whether to release the Epstein files."
"It's shocking that he's using such underhanded methods to stop the release of the Epstein files."
She added, "I don't worship or serve Donald Trump."
Greene's criticism extended further into economic issues, arguing that the White House needs to strengthen its communication on issues of living costs.
In her post, Greene attached two screenshots, seemingly text messages she sent to Trump and his aide Natalie Harp.
She wrote that most Americans "want him (Trump) to fight hard for the forgotten Americans — they're tired of foreign wars and foreign issues, struggling to raise their families and getting poorer, losing hope in achieving the American Dream."
In a message to a contact in her phone labeled "DJT" (Trump's initials), Greene encouraged Trump to "focus" on Epstein's connections with other prominent individuals and what she called the "deep state" issue.
In another message to Harp, Greene expressed her support for Trump, but said the White House must "stop ignoring those women... who were sexually assaulted as teenagers, which is certainly not a hoax."
Greene is one of four Republicans who signed a motion to force the House to vote on releasing Justice Department documents related to Epstein, but CNN reported that more Republicans may defy Trump's wishes and support the release of the files.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that calls for the release of his relationship with Epstein are a "hoax."
On the 14th, Trump instructed the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Democrats associated with Epstein.
He posted on social media that he had asked the Department of Justice and its Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate relationships between Epstein and former President Bill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, JPMorgan, and other individuals and organizations.
Analysts believe this move aims to "counteract" the impact of recently released documents related to Trump and Epstein.
The New York Times described Trump's response to the recently exposed Epstein-related content as continuing his usual strategy when dealing with crises: shifting focus, blaming others, or changing the subject. He even tries to pull opponents into this scenario and then walk away.
That evening, Trump continued to post multiple messages attacking Greene on social media, including retweeting claims that the congresswoman was a "cheap political football," a "traitor," and that her political career was "over," all within minutes.
Trump: If it weren't for me talking to China, their industries would be gone
Earlier on the 14th, Trump defended his interactions with foreign leaders and overseas visits on Air Force One, saying that it was precisely his international relationships that benefited Greene's district and expressing willingness to support potential intra-party challengers against Greene.
On November 14, Trump spoke to reporters on Air Force One. IC Photo
"Marjorie Taylor Greene said, 'Oh my God, you spend too much time abroad.' What if I didn't meet the Chinese leader? Do you know what would happen to Georgia and other states?"
"Their industries would all collapse! Because the magnets and rare earth materials you need for production would be cut off. If I hadn't built relations with China overseas, there wouldn't be any factory operating normally in the world."
Trump said he spends 95% to 98% of his time in the United States.
"Actually, I don't want to do anything more than sitting on a 22-hour flight, no matter how comfortable the plane is."
Trump also warned that Greene's political stance had changed in recent weeks, and she had publicly criticized the White House's statements on government shutdowns and the Epstein case.
"I think her voters won't be satisfied. Some people have already called me, wanting to compete with her in Georgia." Trump said he was willing to fully support Greene's opponent in the party primary.
Previously, Trump had also publicly criticized Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie on "Truth Social." Like Greene, Massie had criticized Trump and other Republican leaders by calling for full disclosure of Epstein files and pushing to weaken presidential war powers.
Last month, Trump encouraged retired Navy SEAL Ed Galrani to challenge Massie in the 2024 party primary, and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul later said he would help Massie win.
Replacing Trump?
"Politico" directly pointed out that the public exchange between the two highlighted the growing divisions within the MAGA movement.
At the same time, Trump's criticism of Greene came at a sensitive moment for the Republican Party. The party suffered heavy losses in recent local elections, partly due to the effective campaign by Democrats on government shutdowns and cost of living issues. Democrats hope this momentum continues into the midterms, regaining control of the House.
In March 2022, Trump and Greene appeared together at a rally in Commerce, Georgia.
Since entering Congress in 2021, Greene has been one of the most steadfast and vocal supporters of the Trump camp, regarded as one of the core figures of the MAGA movement.
She has frequently defended Trump in public, standing firmly behind him on issues such as election disputes, government shutdowns, immigration, and foreign policy, and appearing frequently at Trump's rallies, media programs, and political actions. Greene was even considered one of Trump's "most loyal allies," helping Trump pressure opponents within the House and organizing key votes.
Trump has long held high regard for her, calling her "brave" and "fearless," and supporting her during the 2022 and 2024 Republican infighting, which rapidly elevated her status within the party.
This is precisely why their split has attracted so much attention.
On the other hand, although Greene has become increasingly critical of Trump in recent months, she denies speculation that she intends to replace him.
Recently, Greene admitted in an interview with NBC that she has become an unexpected critic of the current administration's policies, referring to herself as a "torchbearer" of the "America First" agenda, believing that Trump has deviated from this ideology.
Greene said that she decided to run for the Georgia congressional seat was inspired by Trump himself. She also stated that her political stance is rooted in Trump's promise — to speak up for those she calls "ordinary people forgotten by America."
"I used to be one of these people," she believes that Trump's campaign was equivalent to "a referendum on the Republican Party by Americans who had lost faith in Washington."
The outbreak of this conflict coincides with a downturn in the U.S. real estate market and ongoing increases in the cost of living.
Recent surveys show that economic conditions are the top concern for most Americans, and previous elections have revolved around issues of living costs.
A report from the National Association of Realtors shows that only about one-fifth of homes sold in the year ending in June were purchased by first-time buyers.
Greene cited her own adult children in their 20s as examples, believing that this generation's prospects are increasingly bleak.
"They feel they might never be able to afford a house. They were promised: you go to college, you'll find a good job. But that doesn't exist, it's not reality."
"No one cares about foreign countries. No one cares about the constant stream of foreign leaders visiting the White House."
Since January, Trump has made 14 overseas trips, visiting Italy, the Middle East, Canada, Asia, and the UK; during the same period, he visited 15 U.S. states, including one trip to Alaska to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In contrast, during his first term, Trump visited 27 states.
"We didn't elect a president to travel everywhere, get involved in foreign wars," Greene said. "We elected him to stop sending tax money and weapons to foreign wars, to completely avoid getting involved. Even if foreign guests come to the White House like a revolving door, it does nothing for Americans."
When asked if she had talked to Trump to ease the tension, Greene said, "No, I haven't spoken to him. I haven't changed at all."
Greene denied that she is laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential campaign, saying she is focused solely on her district.
Analysts say this tense relationship reflects the broader evolution of the Trump movement.
However, according to Justin Logan, a foreign policy analyst at the Cato Institute, as long as Americans don't feel the direct costs of overseas actions, the voices advocating for strategic restraint will have limited influence.
He said regarding the U.S. government, "They can effectively counter critics only if they prove their policies are successful and low-cost."
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