A Kentucky congressman who was singled out as a “low-life” by Donald Trump on Christmas after he co-authored a law requiring the federal government to release all Jeffrey Epstein files says the president attacked him over his commitment to “helping victims.”
Thomas Massie then successfully secured donations for his run for another term in the 2026 midterm elections against an opponent whom Trump — a fellow Republican — had already endorsed.
This pushback demonstrated the deep divide between Trump and Macy. Massie earned the president’s contempt by working to pass a bipartisan congressional bill demanding the full release of documents related to Epstein, a former friend of Trump who once pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor and then died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges.
On Christmas, Trump posted shouting On his Truth Social platform he dismissed congressional interest in Epstein as a “scam” while referring to Massie — the only lawmaker named in that position — as a “low-level Republican.”
This is what prompted Massey to… to reply On
Massey’s account cited the phrase “low-level Republican” in the text of the post, highlighted it in screenshots of Trump’s speech — and asked X users to “please support me” while providing a link to his campaign donation site.
More than 40 people donated nearly $3,000 within the first two hours of the fundraising appeal, Massey’s account said in separate follow-up posts. One user who responded to Massey’s account described that he had just made “one of the few Republican contributions of my life.”
“I really appreciate it, especially the day after Christmas,” the congressman’s account read.
Massie has been serving in the US House of Representatives since 2012. He became a thorn in Trump’s side after the president’s administration failed to fulfill its promises of full transparency regarding the Epstein case.
Not only did he co-author the Epstein Files Transparency Act that passed Congress in November. Massey also said that all those with links to Epstein should face “the same kind of consequences” as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who lost his British royal title as Duke of York due to his ties to the sex offender financier.
Furthermore, Massey at the time alluded to Peter Mandelson, the UK’s ambassador to the US before his dismissal over his association with Epstein.
Massey said at the time: “There is a reckoning in Britain that must happen in the United States.” “The prince lost his title. The ambassador to the United States lost his job. We need to see those… consequences here.”
Trump’s Justice Department failed to fully meet the Epstein Files Transparency Act’s December 19 deadline, even though it released a number of materials that day. The Justice Department said Wednesday that it had discovered more than a million other documents related to Epstein, and it may take “a few more weeks” to process those files for public release.
Trump has endorsed retired US Marine Ed Gallerin to run against Massie in the Republican primary for the incumbent’s seat ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Massey had said earlier POLITICO That Galrein is a “failed corporate hack” was endorsed by Trump out of panic.