MAGA circles erupted this week after President Donald Trump said the United States needs more foreign workers because the country doesn’t have enough “talented people.” The pushback was immediate and loud, leaving Republicans uneasy about how fired up voters will be heading into the 2026 midterms.
These frustrations come at the same time Congress is moving to release the government’s long-sought files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That push has picked up momentum even though the White House has shown little interest in it. The unease grew louder after Democrats dropped a batch of old Epstein emails, including a note where Epstein claimed Trump knew about the sexual abuse of underage girls but didn’t participate. Republicans brushed off the emails, but the timing didn’t help.
Also Read: MAGA Civil War Erupts As Greene Blasts Trump For Gaslighting Americans
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene added more fuel by publicly challenging Trump on several fronts, accusing the White House of caring too much about foreign affairs and slamming recent aid to Argentina. All of this hit at once, giving the impression that the MAGA universe is more willing than usual to confront Trump.
Republican strategist Steve Cortes, who has been warning that the U.S. allows in too many foreign workers, didn’t sugarcoat his concern, as reported by The Washington Post. “If you show them that you’re not standing up for them on these populist, nationalist issues, I think there’s a real risk for the 2026 midterms,” he said. He added, “I don’t know anyone on the right who’s so angry that they’re splitting with Trump, but we’re disappointed. And we want to lead him to a better place.”
Trump, for his part, has been pushing back hard. He reminded Fox News host Laura Ingraham, “Don’t forget MAGA was my idea. MAGA was nobody else’s idea. I know what MAGA wants better than anybody else.” On social media, he dismissed the renewed Epstein focus as “the Jeffrey Epstein hoax,” calling it a distraction meant to trap Republicans.
Read More: Karoline Leavitt Moves to Calm MAGA Turmoil as Epstein File Push Gains Momentum
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stressed that Trump had followed through on his promises, from the border to worker protections. She pointed to new tariffs and a crackdown on the H-1B visa program, including a $100,000 fee, as proof that he’s still prioritizing American workers.
But the anger kept spreading. Ingraham’s interview set much of it off when she argued that the U.S. already has plenty of talent. Trump shot back, “No you don’t. No you don’t,” insisting some specialized fields simply don’t have enough qualified Americans.
More: Newly Released Epstein Records Intensify Scrutiny Of Trump’s Long, Complicated History
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson said he had never seen so many longtime Trump loyalists this upset. YouTuber Tim Pool made his frustration clear with a sarcastic post on X, while Laura Loomer argued the base had “every right to feel disappointed,” saying, “We need to make sure that promises made are promises kept.”
Some Republicans aren’t blaming Trump directly. Instead, they point to people around him. Stephen K. Bannon put most of his anger toward Cabinet officials backing the visa program, claiming “the tech bros and the oligarchs” were pushing it.
Not everyone thinks this will last. GOP strategist Gregg Keller said the uproar will fade. “I think this’ll be gone by next week. Tomorrow always brings a new news cycle.”
But other fights are simmering. Trump drew criticism for sending aid to Argentina, which some Republicans said violated his America First approach. The Epstein topic isn’t quieting down either. Rep. Thomas Massie said Trump had “distanced himself from the MAGA base” and will force a vote next week on releasing the Epstein files.
Greene sharpened the contrast even more, posting, “I am America First and America Only.” Trump shot back, saying she was “catering to the other side” and adding, “She’s a nice woman, but I don’t know what happened. She’s lost her way.”