WASHINGTON - Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said Sunday that recent remarks by Donald Trump criticizing her were “hurtful,” but expressed hope for a reconciliation, citing her Christian faith’s emphasis on forgiveness. The comments mark a further escalation in the public rift between the georgia congresswoman and the former president, raising questions about the future of the Republican party’s right wing and Trump’s continued influence over it.
The public dispute began after Trump, during a rally in Iowa, called Greene a “very unpopular person” and suggested her political career would be over without his support. Greene has increasingly distanced herself from Trump on certain policy issues and has not fully embraced his repeated false claims about the 2020 election, a divergence that appears too have prompted Trump’s criticism. This break comes as Greene navigates a potential leadership role within the House, and as Trump seeks to consolidate his grip on the party ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
During a CNN interview, Greene acknowledged the pain caused by trump’s words. “Of course, it’s hurtful,” she said. She also called for an end to “toxic infighting” in politics and apologized for her own past rhetoric, including violent imagery directed at Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and Alexandria ocasio-Cortez, as well as a 2020 social media post featuring herself posing with a gun alongside images of members of ”the Squad.” ”I’m sorry for taking part in the toxic politics … put down the knives, be kind to one another … I never wanted to cause any harm,” Greene stated.
Greene also outlined policy disagreements with Trump, advocating for a greater focus on domestic issues like inflation and immigration. She suggested limiting Trump’s travel, stating, “I would like to see Air Force One parked and staying at home.”
Despite the disagreements, Greene concluded the interview by expressing a desire to mend fences with Trump. “Well, I certainly hope that we can make up,” she said. “I can only speak for myself. I’m a Christian and one of the most important parts of our faith is forgiveness, and that’s something I’m committed to.”
