By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-calls-gop-rep-massie-who-fought-for-epstein-files-release-a-moron Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump calls GOP Rep. Massie, who fought for Epstein files release, a 'moron' Politics Feb 5, 2026 12:08 PM EST President Donald Trump called a GOP lawmaker a "moron" at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday. Watch the clip in the video player above. Trump was talking about Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who sometimes votes against the party. Early in his remarks Thursday, Trump turned to the topic of legislation and said Republicans will typically rally together after some finagling — all of them, he said, except for Massie. WATCH: Epstein survivors stand with Reps. Massie and Khanna to push for Epstein Files Transparency Act "No matter what we do, this moron, no matter what it is," Trump said. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. "We'll get a 100% vote except for this guy named Thomas Massie. There's something wrong with him." Massie, a libertarian-leaning representative, has drawn the president's ire for saying he lacked the authority to attack Iran's nuclear sites without congressional approval, voting against Trump's massive tax and spending cuts bill and fighting for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump called a GOP lawmaker a "moron" at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday. Watch the clip in the video player above. Trump was talking about Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who sometimes votes against the party. Early in his remarks Thursday, Trump turned to the topic of legislation and said Republicans will typically rally together after some finagling — all of them, he said, except for Massie. WATCH: Epstein survivors stand with Reps. Massie and Khanna to push for Epstein Files Transparency Act "No matter what we do, this moron, no matter what it is," Trump said. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. "We'll get a 100% vote except for this guy named Thomas Massie. There's something wrong with him." Massie, a libertarian-leaning representative, has drawn the president's ire for saying he lacked the authority to attack Iran's nuclear sites without congressional approval, voting against Trump's massive tax and spending cuts bill and fighting for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now