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MTG Fires Back at Donald Trump in Latest Clash: 'Cult'
The Georgia Republican race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in the U.S. House is marked by jostling for Trump's favor and endorsement.
Published on Feb. 18, 2026
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Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Republican congressmember from Georgia and onetime Trump loyalist, publicly broke with the MAGA leader over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Greene described Trump's MAGA following as a "cult" after he called her a "traitor." The Republican race to replace her in the U.S. House is marked by jostling for Trump's favor and endorsement.
Why it matters
This clash between Greene and Trump highlights the ongoing power struggle within the Republican party, as various factions vie for influence and Trump's endorsement. It also reflects the broader divisions within the party, as some members distance themselves from Trump's more extreme positions.
The details
In a post on X, Greene responded to Trump calling her a "traitor," saying "Him calling me that has become a badge of honor because I'm not in his cult, I refused to bow to his demands to cover up the Epstein files to protect his friends, and I stopped fighting the hardest for a team that intentionally refuses to win." Trump is set to visit Rome, Georgia, where Greene's former district sits, as many candidates are jockeying to replace her in the U.S. House.
- On Monday night, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that "We have a lot of people that want to take Marjorie Traitor Greene's place."
- Greene stepped down from her congressional seat in January following her dramatic break with Trump and MAGA.
The players
Marjorie Taylor Greene
A former Republican congressmember from Georgia and onetime Trump loyalist who publicly broke with the MAGA leader over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Donald Trump
The former U.S. President and leader of the MAGA movement, who called Greene a "traitor."
What they’re saying
“Him calling me that has become a badge of honor because I'm not in his cult, I refused to bow to his demands to cover up the Epstein files to protect his friends, and I stopped fighting the hardest for a team that intentionally refuses to win.”
— Marjorie Taylor Greene (X)
“We have a lot of people that want to take Marjorie Traitor Greene's place. Many, many candidates, and I have to choose one. They say whoever I endorse is gonna win. But we have a lot of good candidates wanna take her place.”
— Donald Trump (Air Force One)
What’s next
Trump is set to visit Rome, Georgia, where Greene's former district sits, as many candidates are jockeying to replace her in the U.S. House.
The takeaway
This clash between Greene and Trump highlights the ongoing power struggle within the Republican party, as various factions vie for influence and Trump's endorsement. It also reflects the broader divisions within the party, as some members distance themselves from Trump's more extreme positions.
