The Megyn Kelly Show

Episode: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Secrets of DC, the Israel Lobby, Jasmine Crockett, and the Future of MAGA
Date: August 19, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guest: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG)

Episode Overview

In this candid and wide-ranging discussion, Megyn Kelly sits down for the first time with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG). The conversation explores Greene's no-nonsense approach to politics, her origin story, her stances on Ukraine and Israel, the influence of lobbying in Washington—especially from AIPAC—the economic struggles of Americans, in-party drama, and the future of MAGA after Trump. MTG holds little back as she shares her frustrations, perspectives, and personal anecdotes from her tenure in Congress.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Foreign Policy: Ukraine and NATO

• MTG opposes U.S. military commitments in Ukraine, especially any NATO-style security guarantee (Article 5):

  • "The American people are very much against foreign wars... They are appalled that we've spent $200 billion or more in Ukraine thus far since 2022." (MTG, 03:12)
  • MTG cites the nation's debt and veterans' issues as reasons to refocus inward: "At some point we have to start saying no to the rest of the world and just completely say no, we can't." (MTG, 06:00)

• Historical context on Ukraine-Russia war and U.S. involvement:

  • Greene highlights that the conflict "really started in 2014 under Barack Obama," not 2022. (07:52)
  • Questions U.S. "obligation" based on past political interference.

• Position on broader interventionism:

  • "We could be extended all over the world at any given time with millions of American troops if we really wanted to be. So we have to make serious decisions..." (Kelly, 08:44)

2. Greene’s Background & Path to Congress

• Personal & family roots in Georgia, non-political upbringing:

  • "Very, very down home... My family, we had no money in the beginning because my dad was truck and ladder construction guy..." (MTG, 09:05)
  • First in her family to graduate college (UGA, business degree).

• Turning political:

  • MTG didn’t intend to enter politics. Describes herself in her 20s as mild-mannered, not especially combative.
  • Disengagement from traditional GOP candidates: "Mitt Romney for me... was the wing of the Republican Party I could not stand." (MTG, 12:35)
  • Trump’s candidacy as a catalyst: "This is the first politician that makes sense to me... he talked the way my father and my uncles... talked." (MTG, 12:52)

• Decision to run:

  • MTG became active due to GOP failures (2017–2019): not fighting "the Russia hoax," passing bloated budgets, failing to repeal the ACA.
  • "[Pelosi] was like, fuck it. I'm running for Congress." (MTG, 16:47)
  • Entered Congress in 2020; immediately faced controversy and media scrutiny.

3. Life in Congress & The System of Influence

• Media & intraparty challenges:

  • "I came in with my hair on fire. I was... mad at everybody." (MTG, 19:04)
  • Discusses aggressive media targeting and ways she’s adapted, e.g., recording all her interviews. (19:33)
  • Left the Freedom Caucus due to dealmaking.

• Lobbyists and campaign donations:

  • "Over 95% of my campaign money that I raise is small dollar donations under $30... those are my donors." (MTG, 23:07)
  • Explains the process by which lobbyists lure representatives with fundraising events: "They can throw together an hour and a half, little cocktail party... write max donor checks..." (MTG, 25:53)
  • "These people own you. They own them 1000%." (MTG, 26:48)

• Why appropriations are so broken:

  • "We in the House have only passed two of our 12 appropriation bills. Only two of them took us seven months to pass." (MTG, 27:58)
  • Cites lobbying pressures and "packing" of bills as major obstacles.

4. The AIPAC (Israel Lobby) Conversation

• AIPAC’s unique (and uniquely powerful) role:

  • Kelly and Greene agree on discomfort with how AIPAC operates.
  • "AIPAC is not registered under FARA... but they are coming to Congress and to the federal government asking on behalf of the country of Israel." (MTG, 33:01)
  • Annual congressional trips to Israel for freshmen, bipartisan: "AIPAC takes every single, that they can Freshman member of Congress, their first year... to Israel in August." (MTG, 36:05)

• Greene questions U.S. aid to Israel:

  • "Why is America having to give Israel $3.8 billion if they're doing so great... why is dead broke America having to send $3.8 billion?" (MTG, 37:57)
  • Critiques Israel's exemption from certain military spending requirements.
  • Notes double standards: "You can burn any flag... Except you can't burn the Israeli flag in America." (MTG, 39:41)

• On being labeled "anti-Israel":

  • Greene insists she is not: "I'm not anti Israel. I'm not anti any country. I've turned radically and unapologetically for America." (MTG, 43:00)
  • "I know you're not [anti-Israel]... but I am also sensing... the more you tell me I can't talk to somebody about something, the more I'm guaranteed going to do it." (Kelly, 41:13)

• Calls for greater transparency:

  • Advocates that AIPAC, CARE, and any group lobbying on behalf of a foreign government register under FARA. (MTG, 52:54)
  • "Why does AIPAC get to take members of Congress, social media influencers, people like you with giant shows, Newsmax, they take Newsmax... all expenses paid?" (MTG, 53:34)

5. Domestic Struggles & Economic Policy

• Middle class decline and inflation:

  • Both host and guest lament economic pain for regular Americans.
  • Highlights social media videos of Americans "crying in their cars" due to economic stress. (Kelly/MTG, 44:44–45:44)
  • "The middle class is turning into the working poor. If you're a young married couple today and you make together over $100,000, you are dead ass broke." (MTG, 43:34)

• Root causes:

  • Pandemic spending by both parties, but especially Biden admin, blamed for inflation and exploding debt. (MTG/Kelly, 46:34–47:27)

• Concludes Republican solutions may fall short; fears a turn to radicalism among young voters:

  • "Many of these young people...they're only going to turn to radicals because it's like we're seeing it. They're gonna be like, screw the Republicans, screw the Democrats." (MTG, 49:50)

6. U.S. Funding for Israel vs. Domestic Priorities

• MTG frames vote against Israel aid as a business decision:

  • "I feel like our company, the United States... is a company that has sirens blaring, and we are on the verge of literally imploding." (MTG, 41:39)
  • "I'm sorry, we don't have time to fund what you're doing. No, we don't." (MTG, 43:20)
  • Critiques spending for foreign wars while Americans struggle domestically.

• On use of "genocide" in Gaza context:

  • Greene reiterates: Israel has military superiority and now uses overwhelming force; Kelly pushes back, blaming Hamas for suffering in Gaza. (MTG, 58:03–59:13; Kelly, 57:18; see also exchange at 60:04–61:33)

7. The Future of MAGA and the GOP

• What happens when Trump is gone?

  • "I think we're gonna see all kinds of stuff happen. There's all kinds of levels of MAGA..." (MTG, 67:50)
  • Predicts many newer adopters will "fall off" without Trump; not return to Democrats, but become disengaged. (68:28)

• Potential successors:

  • "I think J.D. Vance has got the large lead. That's what the polling shows." (MTG, 68:35)
  • Kelly and Greene agree no one will fill Trump's unique shoes. (73:08)

8. Capitol Hill Fights, Media Battles, and Notable Figures

• Jasmine Crockett exchange:

  • Greene recounts: "I shot at her about her massively huge fake eyelashes... Oh my gosh, total explosion." (MTG, 79:37; Kelly, 79:38)
  • On Crockett: "She's as fake as her eyelashes... as her hair... as her fingernails. And she is such a massive fraud." (MTG, 81:32)

• Relationship with Laura Loomer:

  • Used to be friends; fallout due to political races and disagreements. (MTG, 82:12)
  • "She attacked Matt Gaetz all the time. She attacked Brian Jack... people that are unapologetically America first." (MTG, 83:12)

• Best GOP ally?

  • "Thomas Massie is not bought and paid for... he was the only member of Congress that voted against the CARES act..." (MTG, 83:40–84:59)
  • Concerned that Trump is targeting Massie, despite his principled independence.

• Vision for her own service:

  • "Whether you like me or hate me... No matter what AIPAC says about me... I'm serving in Congress with a singular focus, and that is the future of our kids generations. Because right now, I don't see a future." (MTG, 85:38)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "At some point we have to start saying no to the rest of the world and just completely say no, we can't. We've gotta focus here or we're going to implode one day."
  — Marjorie Taylor Greene (06:00)

• "Fuck it. I'm running for Congress."
  — MTG on her reaction to Nancy Pelosi becoming Speaker again (16:47)

• "These people own you. They own them 1000%."
  — MTG on how lobbyist fundraising works (26:48)

• "AIPAC is not registered under FARA under this law that requires anyone coming to lobby a member of Congress or a senator or department of the government... on behalf of another country."
  — MTG (33:01)

• "I'm not anti Israel. I'm not anti any country. I've turned radically and unapologetically for America."
  — MTG (43:00)

• "The middle class is turning into the working poor. If you're a young married couple today and you make together over $100,000, you are dead ass broke. You are barely making it month to month."
  — MTG (43:34)

• "Whether you like me or hate me, agree with me or disagree with me... I'm serving in Congress with a singular focus, and that is the future of our kids generations. Because right now, I don't see a future."
  — MTG (85:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ukraine war, foreign commitments: 03:12–08:42
• MTG’s background and reasons for entering politics: 09:05–17:11
• Lobbyists, campaign finance, and the appropriations process: 23:07–29:47
• AIPAC’s influence and foreign lobbying: 33:00–39:41
• U.S. economic struggles and spending: 43:00–50:13
• The Israel-Gaza conflict, genocide debate: 57:17–62:21
• What happens to MAGA post-Trump: 67:41–75:31
• Jasmine Crockett feud, Capitol Hill personalities: 78:51–81:41
• MTG’s vision & priorities: 85:38

Tone & Language

• Conversation is candid, frequently combative, emotional, and earthy (e.g., “fuck it,” “dead ass broke”).
• Greene is unapologetic, passionate, occasionally sardonic.
• Kelly is direct, skeptical, and sometimes biting in critique but offers space for Greene to elaborate fully.
• Both display solidarity in some areas, skepticism in others, and take pride in independence from establishment influences.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a revealing journey through the personal and political evolution of Marjorie Taylor Greene. It offers a no-holds-barred look at congressional dysfunction, the invisible machinery of lobbying, and the pressures faced by outsider politicians. Particularly illuminating is the discussion of AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, and its controversial but legal influence in Washington.

The concerns about America’s economic future, interwoven with skepticism about commitment abroad, frame Greene’s brand of populism: fiercely America-first, skeptical of the establishment, and convinced that only radical candor and local control will restore national prosperity.

Recommended for listeners interested in:

• Insider accounts of Congress
• Campaign finance and lobbying
• U.S. foreign policy skepticism
• The dynamics of MAGA and future of U.S. conservatism
• Unvarnished personal stories from controversial political figures