In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump publicly denounced Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, branding her a "ranting lunatic" and distancing himself from the Georgia congresswoman, who has been a vocal supporter and key figure in the MAGA movement. This rift marks a significant fracture within the coalition that helped propel Trump to the presidency.

Late Friday, Trump unleashed a barrage of criticism against Greene on his platform, Truth Social, after disagreements over several issues, including the handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "All I see ‘Wacky’ Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!" Trump posted, signaling a deepening divide that has been brewing over recent months.

The controversy escalated with Greene's persistent critique of Trump's foreign policy engagements and her push for domestic policy changes, particularly concerning the potential expiry of Obamacare subsidies. However, the breaking point appears to be centered around the Epstein controversy. Greene has been at the forefront of pushing for the release of federal investigation files — a stance that Trump initially seemed to support.

With Congress poised to vote on legislation demanding the release of the Epstein files, Trump's denunciation came shortly after Greene revealed she had sent him a text message about Epstein, which she believes triggered his public rebuke. "It’s astonishing really how hard he’s fighting to stop the Epstein files from coming out," Greene said in a response posted on social media. She emphasized her commitment to the American people over any allegiance to Trump: "I don’t worship or serve Donald Trump."

This fallout comes at a critical time for the Republican Party, which is already reeling from significant losses in recent elections. Trump's distancing from Greene signals potential changes in endorsements for upcoming primary challenges. He hinted at supporting a primary challenger against Greene, stating, "If the right person runs, they will have my Complete and Unyielding Support."

Trump's strategy of public confrontation has also targeted other dissenting Republican figures, like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has similarly demanded the release of the Epstein files and advocated for reducing presidential war powers. Trump’s aggressive stance against his party's critics underscores the internal conflicts facing Republicans as they approach the midterm elections.

As the political drama unfolds, the repercussions of Trump's split with key allies like Greene could reshape the dynamics within the Republican Party, influencing both policy directions and electoral strategies.