Trump Says He'd 'Love' to See Marjorie Taylor Greene Return to Politics Despite Their Rift

President Donald Trump said Saturday he would like to see Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene return to public office at some point, even after a recent public split between the two. Greene, a high-profile Republican, announced she will resign from Congress in January, citing threats and harassment toward her and her adult children as a major factor.

Trump's reaction

In a brief phone interview, Trump acknowledged the difficulty Greene would face if she tried to revive her political career. "It's not going to be easy for her," he said, adding, "I'd love to see that." He also suggested she "take a little rest."

"I can patch up differences with anyone," Trump said, noting his history of public feuds followed by reconciliation with former rivals.

How the split widened

Once a stalwart ally of Trump, Greene has grown increasingly outspoken about policy disagreements in recent weeks. She criticized what she sees as the former president's emphasis on foreign leaders over domestic pocketbook concerns. Greene also pressed for the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and publicly accused Trump of blocking their disclosure. After initially calling the effort a "hoax," Trump later said he supported making the materials public; Congress voted to require the Justice Department to release certain documents, and the bill was signed into law.

Trump publicly rebuked Greene, calling her a "traitor" and withdrawing his endorsement of her re-election. He later posted on his social platform that Greene chose to quit rather than face a Republican primary challenger next year, repeating the "traitor" label while also thanking her for her "service to our country."

Greene's reasons and response

A person close to Greene, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the congresswoman believed she would have won re-election but chose to step away because of the threats and scorn she and her children endured. Greene has two daughters and a son, all in their 20s. The source said Greene looks forward to being able to go out in public without harassment and expects to "take a step back and be a private, normal person again."

The source added that Greene was disappointed by Trump's denunciations given her past loyalty—"She stood up for him when no one else in the House would"—but said Greene is not someone who will ignore things she disagrees with.

Political fallout and speculation

Greene's surprise announcement reportedly caught top Republicans off guard. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other leaders were not notified in advance, according to people familiar with the matter. That lack of notice is notable because Greene's resignation could complicate Johnson's job, given the GOP's slim House majority.

Greene and Johnson have had a rocky relationship: she previously sought to remove him from the speakership. Her exit has prompted speculation about future plans—some observers wondered whether she might be positioning for statewide office or a future presidential run. A person close to Greene dismissed those theories, saying, "She's made it very clear that she's leaving politics."

Potential successors are already expressing interest in the soon-to-be-vacant seat. Republican state Sen. Colton Moore released a statement Saturday calling for "real conservative patriots" to step forward.

Constituent reaction

Greene's constituents in northwest Georgia, who overwhelmingly supported both her and Trump in the 2024 elections, expressed mixed emotions. In interviews, many voters said they remained supportive of Greene and praised her willingness to stand up for her beliefs. "She has a lot of courage and tells it like it is," said Debbie Dyer, 60, who was interviewed at a mall in Dalton, Georgia.

As Greene prepares to leave Congress in January, questions remain about whether the rift with Trump is permanent and how her departure will reshape the GOP landscape in the House.