Republican behind Epstein files act responds to Trump ‘lowlife’ taunt

A Kentucky congressman singled out by Donald Trump on Christmas as a “lowlife” after co-authoring a law requiring the federal government to release all of its Jeffrey Epstein files says the president attacked him for keeping a commitment to “help victims”.Thomas Massie then successfully sought donations for his run for another term in the 2026 midterm elections against an opponent that Trump – his fellow Republican – has already endorsed.The back-and-forth illustrated a deepening divide between Trump and Massie. Massie earned the president’s disdain by working to pass a bipartisan congressional bill demanding the full release of documents pertaining to Epstein, the former friend of Trump who once pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor and then evidently died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex-trafficking charges.And on Christmas, Trump posted a rant on his Truth Social platform that dismissed Congress’s interest in Epstein as a “scam” while referring to Massie – the only lawmaker named in the post – as “one lowlife ‘Republican’”.That prompted Massie to reply 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!”Massie’s account cited the “one lowlife ‘Republican’” phrase in the post’s text, highlighted it in screenshots of Trump’s tirade – and asked X users to “please support me” while providing a link to his campaign donations site.More than 40 people had donated nearly $3,000 within the first two hours of the fundraising plea, Massie’s account said in separate follow-up posts. One user replying to Massie’s account described having just made “one of the few Republican contributions in my life”.“I really appreciate it, especially the day after Christmas,” the congressman’s account said.Massie has served in the US House since 2012. He has become a thorn in Trump’s side after the president’s administration failed to deliver on his promises of complete transparency with respect to Epstein’s case.He not only co-authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act that sailed through Congress in November. Massie also said all those with connections to Epstein must face “the same kind of consequences” as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who lost his British royal title as the Duke of York over his ties to the sex offender financier.Furthermore, Massie at the time alluded to Peter Mandelson, the UK’s ambassador to the US before his firing over his association with Epstein.“There’s becoming a reckoning in Britain that needs to happen in the United States,” Massie said then. “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 failed to meet the Epstein Files Transparency Act’s 19 December deadline in full, though it did release a number of materials that day. On Wednesday, the justice department said it had discovered more than a million more documents related to Epstein, and it could take “a few more weeks” to process those files for public release.Trump has endorsed a retired US Navy Seal, Ed Gallrein, to run against Massie in the Republican primary for the incumbent’s seat ahead of the 2026 midterms.Massie has previously told Politico that Gallrein is a “failed … establishment hack” whom Trump endorsed out of panic.Quick GuideContact us about this storyShowThe best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know.If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods.Secure Messaging in the Guardian appThe Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said.If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select ‘Secure Messaging’. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and postIf you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. Illustration: Guardian Design / Rich Cousins