A Kentucky congressman, whom Donald Trump called a “lowlife” on Christmas for co-authoring a law requiring the release of all federal Jeffrey Epstein files, says the former president attacked him for keeping a promise to “help victims.”
Thomas Massie then successfully raised donations for his 2026 re-election campaign against a Trump-endorsed Republican opponent.
The exchange highlights a growing rift between Trump and Massie. Massie drew Trump’s ire by helping pass a bipartisan bill demanding full disclosure of documents related to Epstein, a former associate of Trump who pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor and died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
On Christmas, Trump posted on Truth Social, dismissing congressional interest in Epstein as a “scam” and calling Massie—the only lawmaker named—”one lowlife ‘Republican.'”
Massie responded on X: “Imagine celebrating a blessed Christmas with your family… suddenly phones alert everyone to the most powerful man in the world attacking you… for fulfilling his campaign promise to help victims!”
His post quoted Trump’s “lowlife” remark, included screenshots of the attack, and asked users to “please support me” with a link to his campaign donation site.
Within two hours, Massie’s account reported over 40 donations totaling nearly $3,000. One donor replied that it was “one of the few Republican contributions in my life.”
Massie, who has served in the House since 2012, has become a persistent critic of Trump, especially after the former president’s administration failed to deliver full transparency on the Epstein case.
He co-authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed Congress in November, and has argued that anyone connected to Epstein should face consequences similar to Britain’s Prince Andrew, who lost his royal title over his ties to the financier. Massie also referenced Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the U.S. who was fired over his Epstein association.
“There’s becoming a reckoning in Britain that needs to happen in the United States,” Massie said. “A prince lost his title. The ambassador to the United States lost his job. We need to see those… kind of consequences here.”
Trump’s Justice Department missed the act’s December 19 deadline for full disclosure, though it released some materials that day. This week, the department said it found over a million additional Epstein-related documents and may need “a few more weeks” to prepare them for release.
Trump has endorsed retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein to challenge Massie in the Republican primary ahead of the 2026 midterms. Massie has previously called Gallrein a “failed… establishment hack” and claimed Trump endorsed him out of panic.Secure Messaging in the Guardian App
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Epstein Documents Law the Lowlife Insult
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Who is the Republican being talked about
The Republican is Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida He sponsored the Epstein Act a law designed to increase transparency around cases involving child sexual abuse material
2 What law did he sponsor about the Epstein documents
He sponsored a law that aims to prevent courts from sealing records in civil cases involving child sexual abuse or trafficking Its goal is to make it harder for such information to be kept secret as many Jeffrey Epsteinrelated documents were for years
3 What did Donald Trump say about him
In a social media post Donald Trump called Congressman Gaetz a lowlife for supporting a motion to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023 This insult was not directly about the Epstein law but was brought up by Gaetz in a recent interview
4 Why is Gaetz talking about this now
In a recent interview Gaetz was asked about Trumps past insult He defended his actions and used the opportunity to highlight his work on the Epstein transparency law suggesting his focus is on important issues rather than personal disputes
Advanced Contextual Questions
5 How did Gaetz connect Trumps insult to the Epstein law
When asked about being called a lowlife Gaetz shifted the conversation to his legislative work He implied that fighting for transparency in cases like Epsteins is the real substantive work contrasting it with what he sees as political namecalling
6 What is the actual status of the Epstein Act
The Epstein Act has been introduced by Gaetz but as of now has not been passed into law It is a legislative proposal that gained attention amid the public release of Epsteinrelated court documents in early 2024
7 Is this a sign of a rift between Gaetz and Trump
Not necessarily While Trumps past insult was harsh both are highprofile figures in the same political wing Gaetzs response was measured and focused on policy In politics such public spats can occur without indicating a major longterm break especially if both align on core issues
