Scoop: Massie blindsided Mike Johnson on Trump truce

House Speaker Mike Johnson intervened at Representative Thomas Massie's request to broker a truce with President Trump. This followed Trump launching a super PAC to unseat Massie. Johnson successfully negotiated a peace agreement, with both sides agreeing to cease attack ads. However, Massie quickly broke the truce by accusing top Republicans of covering up Jeffrey Epstein files. This personal attack blindsided leadership who had shielded Massie from Trump's public rebukes. Days later, Massie intensified his criticism of the administration's handling of the Epstein files. A pro-Trump super PAC then announced an $800,000 ad campaign attacking Massie for voting with Democrats. In response, Massie formally introduced a discharge petition to release the Epstein files, directly challenging leadership. He questioned Speaker Johnson's motives, accusing him of covering for a sex trafficking ring. Massie has now teamed up with a Democrat to force a House vote on declassifying the Epstein files in September. Massie's actions represent a pattern of defiance against Trump and Republican leadership.