It’s not every day that a political firebrand like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene offers a public apology for her role in America’s divisive rhetoric, let alone finds herself at the center of a bipartisan olive branch. Yet, that’s precisely what unfolded in November 2025, as Greene—long known for her fierce MAGA allegiance and combative style—stunned both allies and adversaries by publicly rebuking former President Donald Trump and calling for unity across the aisle. The fallout from her split with Trump, and her subsequent overtures to Democrats, has sent ripples through Congress and her home district in Georgia, raising questions about political transformation, forgiveness, and the future of American populism.
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas was among the first to seize the moment. Having previously reached out to Greene in the wake of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination in September, Crockett had received no reply—until Greene’s televised apology. Sensing an opening, Crockett instructed her staff to see if Greene would now collaborate on a bill addressing lawmaker safety. “If you can put Marjorie and myself as co-leads on anything, it automatically gets attention, and it also reveals to the American public that we can bridge these gaps if we just decided that we want to,” Crockett told CNN. While the two have exchanged pointed barbs in the past—Crockett once dismissing Greene as a “bleach blonde, bad built, butch body”—the prospect of bipartisan cooperation is suddenly on the table.
Greene herself struck a conciliatory note in a November 17 appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Reflecting on the toxic state of political discourse, she said, “I think America needs to come together and end all the toxic, dangerous rhetoric and divide. And I’m leading the way with my own example, and I hope that President Trump can do the same.” She attributed her change in tone to the shock and sorrow following Kirk’s assassination, which prompted her to reflect on the consequences of her own words.
But the path to political redemption is anything but smooth. Greene’s history of incendiary statements—ranging from conspiracy theories to personal attacks on fellow lawmakers—has left deep scars within the Democratic caucus. As CNN reported, many Democrats remain wary, questioning whether Greene’s about-face is genuine or simply a publicity stunt. “I personally believe that you never close the door to a person who wants to have changes in their life and in their heart, but they have to be genuine and they have to be authentic,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. “It is incumbent upon her to repair the harm that she has done to people. It is not on the people she has harmed.”
That skepticism is shared by Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, who, recalling a 2020 Facebook post from Greene that featured herself holding a gun alongside images of Pressley and other progressive lawmakers, said she would only consider working with Greene if her actions matched her new rhetoric. “I am a Christian woman of deep faith, so I certainly believe in the capacity of people to evolve, to atone, and to redeem themselves. And if she is on a path to do that, that is extraordinary. And I need to see action that supports what she’s saying,” Pressley told CNN.
Still, Greene’s recent actions have not gone unnoticed. She was one of only four Republicans to buck party leadership and sign a petition—alongside Democrats—to force a vote on releasing the Justice Department’s files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move, which culminated in a rare embrace with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna at a Capitol Hill press conference, ultimately compelled Trump to sign a bill releasing the files on November 19. “I’ve never owed him anything,” Greene asserted at the press conference, standing with Epstein’s victims. “Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is an American that serves foreign countries and themselves. A patriot is an American that serves the United States of America, and Americans like the women standing behind me.”
Trump, for his part, did not take kindly to Greene’s dissent, publicly labeling her a traitor and vowing to support a primary challenger in her deep-red Georgia district. Yet, as The Christian Science Monitor observed, the reaction among Greene’s constituents has been mixed. While some remain loyal to Trump, others respect Greene’s willingness to challenge the former president, especially on issues like healthcare and inflation that hit close to home. “In some ways, Trump is not doing everything he could be doing for the people, and I think she is, or is trying,” Greg Ledbetter, a local worker, told the publication. “She looks out for the lower and middle classes, which is where I fit in.”
Greene’s criticisms of rising health care costs—her own family’s premiums set to double following the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies—have resonated with many in her district. During the October government shutdown, she openly vented her frustration on social media, drawing the attention of Democratic leaders. House Minority Whip Rep. Katherine Clark responded, “Our hand is always extended in bipartisanship, and we will work with anyone that is going to prioritize the economic needs of families at home and reduce their costs.”
Even on foreign policy, Greene has found herself in unexpected alignment with some Democrats. Her outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in the war with Hamas prompted Rep. Ilhan Omar to approach her on the House floor and offer thanks. “I think it is important when somebody is doing a principled thing that we thank them for what they are doing,” Omar told CNN. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a leading progressive, has also reached out to Greene, suggesting the possibility of working together on “Medicare for All.”
Yet, trust remains elusive. Members of the progressive “Squad,” often the targets of Greene’s past vitriol, insist that any collaboration must be predicated on real, sustained change. Rep. Becca Balint, who introduced a resolution to censure Greene in 2023 for “fanning the flames of racism, antisemitism, LGBTQ hate speech, Islamophobia, anti-Asian hate, xenophobia, and other forms of hatred,” said, “The only way for this to be anything other than just platitudes is for her to truly make amends to all the colleagues she’s hurt and put in danger.”
Political observers say Greene’s break with Trump is more than a personal feud; it exposes fissures within the MAGA movement and raises the possibility of a new, more pragmatic brand of conservatism. Amy Steigerwalt, a political science professor at Georgia State University, noted that Greene’s advocacy on pocketbook issues like healthcare and groceries “channels the interests of her constituents,” even as it risks alienating the GOP’s most loyal base.
For now, Greene’s political future remains uncertain. While Trump’s threats loom, she retains strong support from local Republicans and has proven fundraising prowess. “Recent national criticism directed at Congresswoman Greene does not change the fundamental truth that she serves at the direction of the people of this district,” Jim Tully, chairman of the Georgia Republican Party for the 14th District, posted online. “We remain confident in her ability to represent our district with honor and conviction.”
Whether Greene’s change in tone is a calculated move or a genuine transformation is still up for debate, both in Washington and at local haunts like Doug’s Diner in Rome, Georgia. As retired lawyer Bill Newton put it, “I do think she’s a central character of our age. In that way, I hope the change in her is sincere.”
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Greene’s willingness to challenge her own party and reach across the aisle has upended the political calculus in Congress and her district alike, offering a rare, if tentative, glimpse of bipartisanship in a deeply divided era.
