The assassination of Charlie Kirk has left Washington raw and reactive, and into that charged atmosphere stepped Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who urged caution not only from Democrats but also from inside his own party — including President Trump.
Massie, long known for bucking GOP leadership and defying partisan orthodoxy, argued that heated rhetoric has consequences. “There is a lot of rhetoric. And the president himself engages in it — he called it a hostile act to co-sponsor the Epstein resolution,” Massie said, referencing Trump’s criticism of his push to declassify files tied to Jeffrey Epstein. “I think that’s ridiculous rhetoric.”
Thomas Massie literally pulled a "but Epstein" to dunk on Trump and used Charlie Kirk as a prop.
This man is reprehensible pic.twitter.com/t8qfBeTqbf
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) September 11, 2025
While noting that he wasn’t personally offended, Massie warned, “Some people take it literally, and he should probably tone that down himself.” It was a striking rebuke, given the context: the murder of one of Trump’s most loyal allies, Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old activist whose meteoric rise had made him a generational voice for conservatism.
Massie’s remarks tap into an already bitter feud with Trump. Over the summer, Trump lashed out on Truth Social, calling him “the worst Republican Congressman” and a “real loser,” even encouraging challengers to mount a primary campaign against him. The Kentucky lawmaker, meanwhile, has pressed forward with his Epstein files resolution, a discharge petition that is inching toward a floor vote despite resistance from House leadership.
Those of you disowning Thomas Massie are late to the dance.
Massie's always been the member of a one-man party -- the Thomas Massie party.
— Shipwreckedcrew (@shipwreckedcrew) September 12, 2025
This week’s emotional fallout spilled onto the House floor as well. After a moment of silence for Kirk, a shouting match broke out among lawmakers, underscoring the depth of division inside Congress as the shock of the assassination reverberates.
Massie, however, urged a degree of patience: “Emotions are raw, because a lot of us knew Charlie Kirk personally and had interacted with him. And so, I give everybody a pass here… when somebody passes — it’s a very emotional moment.” He predicted tempers would cool, adding, “Hopefully it settles down to a calmer place than it was before.”
Thomas Massie is a scum bag. https://t.co/MD67XLCE6o
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) September 12, 2025
