Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued a stark warning, declaring that the internal Republican conflict over releasing the Jeffrey Epstein investigative files is severely damaging the populist movement built by former President Donald Trump.
A Fractured Movement
Speaking at a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Greene stated, "Watching this actually turn into a fight has ripped MAGA apart." The Georgia representative, a prominent MAGA acolyte and long-time Trump ally, made these remarks just hours before the House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The legislation, which mandates the release of Justice Department files on the late financier and convicted sex offender, was initially resisted by both Trump and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. Their opposition was ultimately overridden when a majority of lawmakers signed a discharge petition, forcing a vote on the matter.
Survivors and Political Pressure
Greene was surrounded during the press conference by survivors of Epstein's sex trafficking ring, who provided dramatic and emotional accounts of the abuse they suffered as teenagers. The presence of these individuals underscored the high human stakes of the political battle.
Despite having repeatedly claimed he cut ties with Epstein nearly two decades ago and was unaware of his criminal activities, Trump actively pushed back against Republicans supporting the discharge petition as recently as last week. However, in a reversal on Sunday, November 16, after the petition succeeded, the former president endorsed the legislation, though he has not yet authorized the release of the files.
On Monday, Trump characterized the debate over the Epstein files as a political distraction, pointing to prominent Democrats like former President Bill Clinton, who also had documented ties to Epstein.
Internal GOP Tensions Surface
Greene's criticism highlights a significant rift within the Republican base. "I'll tell you right now, this has been one of the most destructive things to MAGA," she said, addressing the supporters who have fervently backed Trump. "Watching the man that we supported early on, three elections, for people that stood for hours, slept in their cars to go to rallies, have fought for truth and transparency."
The internal dissent extends beyond Greene. Representative Thomas Massie, a hardline conservative from Kentucky who helped lead the legislative effort, suggested that Trump has been complicit in a cover-up. "I believe he's trying to protect friends and donors," Massie stated bluntly.
Meanwhile, Speaker Johnson, speaking moments after the survivors' press conference concluded, dismissed the legislation as a "political show vote" forced by Democrats. While confirming he would vote for the measure, Johnson argued that Trump has "said quite clearly he has nothing to hide." He has called on the Senate to amend the bill to grant the administration more discretion to redact portions, a move that transparency advocates and survivors fear would further delay justice.
The political drama unfolds as more than 10,000 documents related to the Epstein case remain in the government's possession and have not been released to the public.
