Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) stood alongside Jeffrey Epstein survivors Tuesday outside the U.S. Capitol, delivering pointed remarks after President Donald Trump withdrew his support for the Georgia congresswoman over the weekend.
The press conference came amid escalating tensions between the president and one of his most vocal supporters in Congress.
Greene had criticized Trump and his administration’s handling of the Epstein investigation, prompting the president to label her “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Greene” in a social media post.
Greene addressed the president’s comments directly during her remarks.
“I was called a traitor by a man that I fought for five, no, actually, six years for, and I gave him my loyalty for free,” she stated.
The congresswoman emphasized her independent political success.
“I won my first election without his endorsement, beating eight men in a primary, and I’ve never owed him anything, but I fought for him, for the policies and for America first, and he called me a traitor for standing with these women and refusing to take my name off the discharge petition,” Greene said.
She then appeared to turn the tables on the president’s characterization.
“Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is an American that serves foreign countries and themselves. A patriot is an American that serves the United States of America and Americans like the women standing behind me now,” Greene continued.
The gathering took place ahead of Tuesday’s House vote on legislation that would compel the Justice Department to release all files related to Epstein.
Trump had opposed the bill for months before suddenly reversing himself as it became clear enough Republicans would vote in favor.
The shift came as momentum built for the measure among lawmakers from both parties.
At the press conference, Greene received praise from the bill’s co-sponsors, Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY). Several Epstein survivors also spoke at the event.
Massie highlighted the difficulty of advancing discharge petitions.
“When Ro and I started this effort, most discharge petitions never make it, maybe only 4%, so we had long odds, but we had some brave women on the Republican side,” he said.
“My colleague, Marjorie Taylor Greene, is one of them who’s here with us today. You cannot even imagine the consequences that they have suffered,” he added.
Survivor Haley Robson offered her support to Greene during her remarks. Robson said if Greene ever decided to read names of people connected to Epstein on the House floor, she would stand with her and hold her hand.
When a reporter asked Greene whether she takes Trump at his word after he said Monday he would sign the bill to release the Epstein files if it reaches his desk, the congresswoman expressed skepticism.
“I only take people’s actions seriously, no longer words,” Greene said.
Greene distinguished herself from others in the movement supporting Trump. “I’ll tell you, because I’m — I wasn’t a Johnny-come-lately to the MAGA train. I was Day 1 [in] 2015. And there’s a big difference in those Americans and those that decided to support President Trump later on,” she stated.
The congresswoman acknowledged the broader impact of the dispute. Greene said “watching this actually turn into a fight has ripped MAGA apart.”
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