Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) “hates” President Donald Trump and made fun of him constantly in private. Greene made these comments on Wednesday’s edition of The Tucker Carlson Show, where she discussed the Republican Party’s internal struggles and the influence of donor money on its members.
Greene accused Lawler of being “bought and paid for” by the establishment donor class, which she believes has led to his betrayal of the MAGA movement, according to Mediaite. She said Lawler was heavily supported by the Jewish community and Christian Zionists during his election campaign. After that, he immediately became a key player in the House of Representatives, completely controlled by the donor class.
The former congresswoman claimed that Lawler’s attitude towards Trump changed dramatically after his second win in 2024, when he suddenly became Trump’s biggest supporter. Greene jokingly called him “MAGA Mike Lawler,” pointing out the big difference between his earlier behavior and his current stance. She suggested that his public support for Trump was not genuine and was instead driven by political convenience.
Greene’s accusations reveal deeper cracks forming in Trump’s support base
Greene’s comments are the latest in a series of high-profile disagreements from the MAGA movement. Former Trump supporter Tucker Carlson has also spoken out against the president, mentioning his disagreements over the war in Iran and the direction of the US government.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Carlson expressed his disappointment with Trump’s actions, stating that he “hates this war” and that he had been “misleading” his audience into voting for Trump in 2024. The tensions within the MAGA movement come from Trump’s failure to keep his campaign promises, especially his pledge to put “America first.”
Trump’s decision to support the war in Iran and his handling of the economy have upset many of his core supporters, who are now questioning his leadership. Some prominent MAGA figures have demanded that Trump himself should fight in the conflict. While Trump still has solid support from his base, the room for dissatisfaction to grow wider is likely if the conflict in Iran continues and economic problems get worse.
The fact that Carlson and Greene have broken with Trump shows that discontent is beginning to grow among his supporters. The seeds of dissatisfaction among Trump’s elite supporters are beginning to appear, and it remains unclear whether this will turn into something more organized before the 2028 presidential election.
Trump recently addressed these critics directly, explaining what MAGA means to him and dismissing those who disagree with his decisions. His response suggests that he believes the MAGA movement should follow his direction, regardless of what his supporters think. This attitude has only added to the growing frustration among some members of his base.
Recent polls show that support for Trump among Republican voters is dropping. Only 38% of Republican voters now say they “strongly” approve of his presidency, down from 51% a year ago, reports The Conversation. However, the same polls also show that 90% of “MAGA Republicans” still approve of Trump’s overall job performance, meaning his core base remains mostly loyal. This suggests that while some cracks are appearing.
The relationship between Trump and his base is becoming increasingly complicated. While Trump still has a loyal following, the cracks are beginning to show, and it remains unclear whether he will be able to repair his relationship with his core supporters. The implications of these developments are significant, as they suggest that the MAGA movement is no longer tied to just one person.
The fact that Carlson has talked about the idea of running for president in 2028, and that Greene has publicly supported him, shows there is a growing desire to redefine the movement. These developments point to a possible shift in how the MAGA movement sees itself and its future. As the MAGA movement continues to change, it is clear that the internal struggles within the Republican Party will only get worse, with the 2028 presidential election ahead.
Published: May 1, 2026 08:36 am