Scoop: Massie blindsided Mike Johnson on Trump truce

At Rep. Thomas Massie's request, House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully appealed directly to President Trump for a truce, multiple sources told Axios. But Massie broke the truce just days later, accusing top Republicans of covering up the Jeffrey Epstein files. Why it matters: The personal attacks blindsided the House leaders who'd stepped in to shield the Kentucky Republican from Trump's public rebuke. On July 3, Massie met with multiple members of leadership and asked for help in reconciling his relationship with Trump, who had just launched a super PAC aimed at ousting him.Johnson (R-La.) then spoke with Trump directly and negotiated a peace agreement. All sides agreed to stop the attack ads, according to a source familiar with the matter.That night, Massie flipped his vote on a key procedural measure tied to the "big, beautiful bill," surprising colleagues after months of resistance. He still voted against final passage of the bill.Three days later, Axios first reported the Justice Department had concluded that Epstein "had no client list."In the days that followed, Massie ramped up his criticism of the administration's handling of the Epstein files. The truce was dead: On July 14, a pro-Trump super PAC announced it would spend 800,000 on a new TV ad attacking Massie for "voting with the radical Democrats."On July 15, Massie formally introduced a discharge petition to release the Epstein files.Massie posted on X last week: "@SpeakerJohnson, why are you running cover for an underage sex trafficking ring and pretending this is a partisan issue? MAGA voted for this."Driving the news: Massie has teamed up with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to force a House vote on declassifying the Epstein files, which is expected to happen when the House returns in September. If 218 members sign on, House leaders will be forced to bring the resolution to the floor.The effort represents a direct challenge to leadership. Johnson has insisted Republicans are working to release all evidence that relates to Epstein, while also ensuring they are "protecting all victims." Zoom out: Massie has attacked Trump over his strikes in Iran, voted twice against the president's sweeping tax cuts and spending bill, and was the only Republican to oppose a stopgap government funding bill in March. Massie publicly has brushed off Trump's attacks, telling Axios in June that Trump will "do some polling and see that he's going to lose and maybe not get [involved] in the race."In a show of recent defiance, Massie launched his first TV ad last week to highlight his call for the release Epstein files.What they're saying: Johnson has struck a harsh but polite tone when it comes to Massie's personal attacks, quipping "bless his heart" after being pressed on whether he'd support Massie's reelection bid."Thomas Massie is the one trying to bite Republicans. I'm not quite certain what his strategy is," Johnson said at a press conference last week.Massie did not respond to a request for comment.

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