Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) faced backlash for suggesting President Trump should dial back his rhetoric following the deadly shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. “There is a lot of rhetoric, and the president himself engages in it,” Massie told The Hill, referencing Trump’s characterization of co-sponsoring the Epstein resolution as a “hostile act.” He called the remarks “ridiculous” and “amusing,” adding, “Some people take it literally, and he should probably tone that down himself.”
Massie, known for clashing with GOP leadership, has previously opposed measures like Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” to raise the debt ceiling. In response, Trump labeled him “not MAGA” and encouraged a primary challenge, calling Massie “the worst Republican Congressman” and a “real loser” in a July post on Truth Social.
The tension intensified after Massie filed a discharge petition this month to release the Epstein files, a move nearing enough signatures for a vote. Meanwhile, Trump blamed the “radical left” for the shooting, declaring, “We have radical left lunatics out there and we just have to beat the hell out of them.”
Massie acknowledged the emotional fallout, stating, “Emotions are raw… I give everybody a pass here,” but urged calm as the situation unfolded.
