Rep. Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, spoke out after President Donald Trump targeted him and his family in a personal attack. The presidentโs comments included Massieโs late wife.
Massie spoke to CNNโs Manu Raju on Monday night on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. He began by highlighting a recent political achievement.
โThe Speaker, the Attorney General, the FBI Director, the President, and the Vice President could have saved us all this time and an embarrassment, frankly, for our own party if theyโd just done the right thing four months ago,โ Massie said.
He was referring to finally passing his bill that would force the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which had been delayed for months.
Raju asked if Trump and other officials might try to block the release.
โIโm afraid theyโre going to try to use a provision of the law that allows you not to release these materials if theyโre the subject of an ongoing investigation and the release of which would harm the ongoing investigation,โ Massie said.
The conversation then moved to Trumpโs personal attack. Raju mentioned that the president went after Massie, his late wife, and called Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a traitor.
Massie responded directly.
โHe went after my late wife and my current wife,โ he said.
โWhat do you think about that?โ Raju asked.
โI think itโs a new low for him, but again, we laughed it off. Itโs more to his detriment than mine that he, you know, put something like that out. But I think that it was beyond the pale,โ Massie replied.
Trump posted the comments over the weekend on Truth Social:
โDid Thomas Massie, sometimes referred to as Rand Paul Jr., because of the fact that he always votes against the Republican Party, get married already??? Boy, that was quick! No wonder the Polls have him at less than an 8% chance of winning the Election. Anyway, have a great life Thomas and (?). His wife will soon find out that sheโs stuck with a LOSER!โ
Massie appeared unfazed. He suggested that Trumpโs comments reflect more on the president than on him.
Some critics on X had their say:
The incident also highlights a political divide. Massie has been pushing for the Epstein files, a move that some Republicans, including Trump, might prefer to avoid.
Featured image via X screengrab
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