Introduction
The current dynamics within the Trump 2.0 administration are complex and fractious, as indicated by two acronyms: TACO and MIGA. TACO represents “Trump Always Chickens Out,” while MIGA stands for “Make Israel Great Again.” These terms encapsulate the ongoing tensions as Trump’s leadership faces internal challenges stemming from contentious relationships and differing agendas among Republican allies.
TACO and MIGA epitomize the state of the MAGA movement, highlighting divisions that extend beyond television pundits like Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro to the very heart of U.S. Congressional campaigns, with Israel often at the center of the discord.
Trump Always Chickens Out (Again)
Once again, Trump has retreated from his stance, urging House Republicans to vote FOR the release of the Epstein files.
As I said on Friday night aboard Air Force One to the Fake News Media, House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat “Shutdown.” The Department of Justice has already turned over tens of thousands of pages to the Public on “Epstein,” are looking at various Democrat operatives (Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, Larry Summers, etc.) and their relationship to Epstein, and the House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE!
Politico’s analysis outlines Trump’s significant shift:
Trump’s reversal after a months-long pressure campaign came as dozens of Republicans — perhaps as many as 100 — were already poised to break with him in a vote Tuesday. As Meredith Lee Hill and Mia report, even close allies of GOP leadership were weighing whether to defect from the president.
With this context in mind, let’s explore how we arrived at this point and why Trump’s retreat is such a notable misstep.
Trump’s War on Massie
Trump has publicly distanced himself from two prominent MAGA Congressional representatives: Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). The rift with Massie has been apparent for some time, fueled by backing from Trump’s leading Zionist donor, who is supporting an anti-Massie campaign.
Massie’s opposition to Trump’s major legislative efforts and his push for a vote to release the Epstein files has drawn significant ire from the former president.
In retaliation, Trump is now supporting a Super PAC aimed at unseating Massie. Funded by billionaire advocates of Trump and Israel, the PAC is poised to spend $20 million against Massie to help his opponent, Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.
Massie has openly criticized the motives and financial backing of his rival:
Israeli citizen Miriam Adelson bought the Dallas Mavericks for $3.5 billion; now she’s buying politicians. She’s spending millions in Kentucky to buy Ed Gallrein, my primary opponent, a Congressional seat in Kentucky. Why? Because I won’t vote to send your tax dollars overseas. pic.twitter.com/jfAgjgnB2K
— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) November 9, 2025
A recent Bloomberg opinion piece reflects the challenges Trump faces in this conflict:
President Donald Trump’s months-long effort to find a primary challenger to Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, a fellow Republican and MAGA devotee, is the latest proof that Republicans in Washington were never truly intent on achieving the agenda they sold to voters last year.
If they were, they would be endorsing Massie as exactly the kind of anti-establishment conservative they’d want to see more of in Congress.
…when Trump started to pivot away from his own promises on inflation, foreign affairs, and Epstein, Massie tried to use his leverage — House Republicans can only afford to lose two votes on every vote in the House — to pull him back.
Trump’s latest remarks about Massie have sparked significant backlash, particularly on social media. Glenn Greenwald articulated the concerns well:
Also, Trump’s mocking Massie for re-marrying “quick” after his wife of many decades passed away is disgusting: particularly so for someone who is on his third marriage and started those affairs (and many others) while still married to the prior wife…
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) November 15, 2025
In October, Tucker Carlson discussed Massie’s threat to the establishment:
Sincerity is by far the most dangerous quality in Washington. Someone who really means it is an actual threat. Thomas Massie isn’t a threat because he won’t accept AIPAC money. He’s a threat because he won’t accept AIPAC money on principle.
Carlson further connected Massie to Greene:
And now Marjorie Taylor Greene, who of all 435 members of the House of Representatives embodies those principles most purely and has cleaved to them through the years is now being written out of the movement.
In a similar vein, Trump has also distanced himself from MTG.
Trump vs. MTG
Another figure distancing herself from Trump is Georgia Congressional Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG).
Bloomberg’s Klas summarized MTG’s reasons for her disagreements with Trump:
MTG wants Congress to end the government shutdown by extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. She has demanded the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, called for a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, criticized the funding for wars in Ukraine and Israel, and condemned the administration’s economic bailout of Argentina.
On Friday, Trump expressed his frustration and posted this on Truth Social:
I am withdrawing my support and endorsement of “Congresswoman” Marjorie Taylor Greene, of the Great State of Georgia…
…all I see “Wacky” Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!
Greene replied on X.com, asserting that Trump’s actions are intended to intimidate other Republicans:
He’s coming after me hard to make an example to scare all the other Republicans before next week’s vote to release the Epstein files…
…I worship God, Jesus is my savior, and I serve my district GA14 and the American people.
Additionally, Greene expressed concern for her safety due to Trump’s comments.
It’s evident that Greene’s backing of Massie’s push for the Epstein files played a crucial role in the rift with Trump.
Public sentiment on social media seems to favor Greene after the latest exchanges:
> Trump un-endorses MTG
>> 32,200 likes
> MTG Responds
>> 179,000 likes pic.twitter.com/wnmlhXfnIM— Polling USA (@USA_Polling) November 15, 2025
Turning to the topic of Jeffrey Epstein, there are significant angles often overlooked in the discourse.
What the Dems & the NYT Leave Out of Their Epstein Narrative
As highlighted by MAGA analyst Robert Barnes, Trump’s refusal to release the Epstein files marked a turning point in his administration.
This issue intertwines elite impunity, moral depravity, and the influence of Israel on American politics, making it a vital focal point.
The blatant inconsistency of the Trump administration regarding the Epstein files cannot be ignored:
NewsNation plays a compilation of JD Vance, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino all calling for the release of the Epstein Files.
What changed, guys? pic.twitter.com/vizbSCqGsq
Both the Democratic Party and The New York Times have attempted to shape the Epstein narrative as a weapon against Trump.
However, they have notably neglected to report on mounting evidence linking Epstein to Israel:
Investigative efforts, like those from Drop Site News, have shed light on Epstein’s connections, some of which implicate high-profile Democrats.
Adding to the Times’ embarrassment, it’s been revealed that a former reporter had close ties with Epstein, which further complicates their narrative:
The messages between the serial sex abuser and the two reporters provide insight into how Epstein maintained relationships with powerful figures even after his conviction.
This Miami Herald piece details Epstein’s connections and interactions with various journalists, hinting at a concerted effort to maintain a shield from scrutiny.
The Unfortunately Named Virgin Islands
Another less discussed angle involves Democrat Delegate Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands, who has been linked to Epstein:
Documents from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate show he texted with Plaskett during a congressional hearing, potentially influencing her questioning.
Julie K. Brown has extensively covered the relationship between Plaskett and Epstein, highlighting the discomforting reality of political complicity.
No One Is Protecting Larry Summers Anymore
In a striking development, The NY Times report has brought attention to the close correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and Larry Summers, former Treasury Secretary:
Email exchanges suggest a deeper relationship between Epstein and Summers than previously known, with discussions occurring even after Epstein’s convictions.
As noted by Matt Stoller, this revelation represents a substantial political challenge for Democrats.
Trump is now leveraging the Epstein scandal to call for investigations into major Democratic figures like Bill Clinton and Larry Summers. The BBC reports:
Trump stated he asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to investigate banks JP Morgan and Chase, Larry Summers, and Reid Hoffman, asserting that Epstein was a Democrat issue.
The bipartisan Congressional effort to conceal the Epstein scandal has faltered, yet some suspect attempts to impede the release of these files persist.
As Rep. Massie suggested, ongoing investigations may serve as a red herring to avoid uncovering truth:
If they have ongoing investigations in certain areas, those documents can’t be released…
Additionally, troubling implications surround the appointment of U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to the inquiry, raising questions about his motives:
The Clayton appointment is so unreal…
Anticipation builds as the House prepares to vote on Massie’s legislation, but polling indicates challenges in the Senate.
Trump’s edict represents a face-saving move ahead of what many in Congress view as a likely defeat, with concerns that the effort may collapse in the Senate.
This latest turn reflects a significant miscalculation on Trump’s part.
Time will reveal the outcomes of this internal strife, but the ongoing confrontation between TACO and MIGA factions within the GOP warrants close attention.
Conclusion
The turbulent landscape of the Trump 2.0 administration showcases the deepening divisions within the Republican Party. Amid calls for the release of the Epstein files, prominent figures like Massie and Greene are increasingly at odds with Trump, suggesting a significant shift in loyalty and ideology. As these battles unfold, the implications for both the MAGA movement and U.S. politics at large remain to be seen.
