Revolt in MAGA: MTG Slams Trump and GOP Over Shutdown Chaos

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Tara Palmeri Show

Episode: Revolt in MAGA: MTG Slams Trump and GOP Over Shutdown Chaos
Date: October 12, 2025
Host: Tara Palmeri
Featured Guests: Abby Phillips, Scott Jennings, Tim Alberta

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Tara Palmeri dives deep into the political chaos surrounding the government shutdown, focusing on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprising dissent within the MAGA faction of the GOP. Greene shifts blame for the shutdown onto her own party, raising questions about her political ambitions and the broader fractures on policy and messaging within the Republican Party. The episode also explores the recent controversies surrounding Katie Porter’s run for California governor, raising issues of gendered expectations of “toughness” in politics and the treatment of staff and media by prominent politicians.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Break from GOP Shutdown Talking Points

• Greene’s Shift: Once seen as the quintessential “MAGA” Republican, Greene is publicly blaming Republican leadership for the government shutdown and voicing frustration over unresolved Obamacare subsidy negotiations and rising healthcare costs.
  • "She was the most MAGA out of all of them. I thought that she wanted to be Trump’s vice president… But now she’s causing some heartburn for the party." — Tara Palmeri [00:30]
  • Greene highlights the impact on her own family and constituents, stressing that healthcare is becoming unaffordable even for her adult children.
• Potential New Political Calculus: Tara speculates Greene may be eyeing political life beyond Trump, perhaps looking to reposition herself for future leadership given shifting GOP winds:
  • "She’s 51 years old. Who knows what’s next for her?" — Tara Palmeri [~01:30]
• Bipartisan Moves: Greene is also working with Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna on a discharge petition to force a Congressional vote to release the Epstein files, showing a willingness to buck GOP orthodoxy in more than one arena.

2. The Personal Impact of the Shutdown & Healthcare Debate

• The episode features a powerful caller — a Republican military spouse — who confronts Speaker Mike Johnson about how the shutdown threatens her children’s access to medication due to pay lapses and ballooning medical debt.
  • "If we see a lapse in pay… my children do not get to get the medication that's needed for them. As a Republican, I’m very disappointed in you..." [04:35]
• Healthcare Front and Center:
  • Abby Phillips traces the disproportionate impact of subsidy rollbacks on red states, arguing that healthcare is a bipartisan daily pain-point.
  • Scott Jennings underscores how premium increases and lost Medicaid coverage hit real people, and both parties have political risks and humanitarian responsibilities at stake.
    • "100,000 people are gonna face higher costs… 18,000 people are gonna lose healthcare altogether... This is real people and real issues." — Scott Jennings [08:32]
  • Tara and Tim Alberta debate whether Democrats are “celebrating” GOP disarray too cynically while acknowledging urgent human consequences.

3. Partisan Blame: Who Owns the Shutdown?

• Tara Palmeri:
  • Suggests Republicans let Democrats “win” on healthcare, risking midterm losses if they’re seen as blocking aid or repairs.
  • "If the Republicans want to help that woman’s husband… come to the table and negotiate. Period." [10:00]
• Scott Jennings Pushback:
  • Blames Democrats for refusing negotiations and says the shutdown isn’t needed to grapple with ACA subsidies.
  • Praises Speaker Johnson for fielding tough questions live and criticizes Democratic leadership for playing “political games.”
    • “The government does not have to be closed in order for those conversations [on ACA] to take place… Mike Johnson went on C-SPAN today… It takes stones to do that. And I'm glad he did it.” [10:14]
• Broader Perspective:
  • Tim Alberta urges listeners to see past horse-race politics, focusing on policy’s real-world impact.
  • Abby Phillips contextualizes the health care burdens: “They can’t even use credit cards to pay for her kids’ medication because they have so much medical debt.” [11:16]

4. Katie Porter: Politician Under Fire

• Viral clips emerge of Porter snapping at both staff and a local journalist, fueling critiques of her “temperament” as she campaigns for governor.
  • On Staffer: “Get out of my fucking shot.” [12:20]
  • On Press: Walks out following tough questioning about needing Trump voters to win California.
• Comparisons to Trump:
  • The panel notes that similar rude behavior has been normalized — and sometimes celebrated — in Donald Trump, raising double-standard questions on gender and authenticity in politics.
    • "I mean, President Trump literally attacks reporters every single day… He said to me I asked stupid questions." — Abby Phillips [13:34]
    • "He curses like that behind the scenes, my sources tell me for sure." — Tara Palmeri [13:48]
• Political Fallout:
  • Scott Jennings claims this “implosion” illustrates poor leadership and poor treatment of less powerful staffers, calling out staff overwork and abuse.
    • “Hill staffers are grossly underpaid and horribly overworked… And her reaction was to cuss her out.” [17:11]
  • Tim Alberta and Tara discuss the media and party reactions, noting bipartisan criticism of Porter’s conduct.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Greene’s new adversarial stance:

  • "I’m a representative. I don’t have to be a cheerleader for my party. I have to represent my district because those are the people that hired me and sent me here." — Marjorie Taylor Greene (quoted by Tara Palmeri) [05:35]

• On healthcare’s personal toll:

  • “Medical debt that they cannot even afford to do that. So that’s just a picture right there of what’s going on in the country in terms of health care and how much of a burden American families are under.” — Abby Phillips [11:16]

• On inappropriate behavior in politics:

  • “Oh, yeah. I mean, President Trump literally attacks reporters every single day. Calls it, you're a nasty woman, you’re this, you’re that.” — Tara Palmeri [13:27]
  • “I don’t care what Katie Porter does to reporters…I thought it was legitimate questions. And any legitimate candidate for governor…ought to have a better answer.” — Scott Jennings [14:29]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:30] Tara Palmeri introduces Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprising criticism of the GOP over the shutdown
• [04:35] Military spouse confronts Republican leadership on CNN about shutdown’s real-life impacts
• [06:04] Tara, Abby, and panel analyze healthcare’s decisive role in the policy and political battle
• [08:32] Scott Jennings details the numbers behind healthcare losses and rising premiums
• [10:00] Tara’s call for GOP negotiations; panel discussion on Democrats’ approach
• [12:20] Viral Katie Porter staffer incident aired
• [13:27] Discussion on double standards between Trump and Porter’s treatment of the press/staff
• [17:11] Scott Jennings on Hill staff abuse and why it matters for evaluating candidates

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Takeaways

• The episode spotlights GOP fractures, with Marjorie Taylor Greene’s iconoclastic moves destabilizing traditional party lines and raising speculation about her ambitions beyond Team Trump.
• The healthcare crisis—and its intersection with government funding—emerges as a bipartisan voter pain point, with red states acutely impacted.
• Politicians’ treatment of staff and press is under intensified scrutiny, with viral moments accelerating political careers—or sinking them—regardless of party.
• Tara and her panel make clear that while partisans on both sides play blame games, the stakes to real families are enormous, and the next chapter for both Republicans and Democrats may hinge on how they address bread-and-butter issues, not just political theatrics.

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Transcript

[Tara Palmeri]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states. Welcome to the Tara Palmieri Show. On Thursday night, I went on Abby Phillips show on CNN to talk about the thing that is sort of perplexing everyone in Washington, Marjorie Taylor Greene. She's become a bit of an iconoclast in the Republican Party. She was the most MAGA out of all of them. I thought that she wanted to be Trump's vice president. She told me at one time at Mar A Lago that she wanted to be director of Homeland Security. And really on policy, she is as MAGA as it gets, gets. But now she's causing some heartburn for the party. In fact, according to some reporting, Trump has asked his aides what happened to Marjorie. And that's because she's starting to blame the shutdown on the Republicans. She's like, we control the House, the Senate, so shouldn't we reopen the government? Oh, I forgot. And the presidency. So why shouldn't we open the government and also deal with the Obamacare subsidies? And in fact, she keeps referencing her family and the fact that health care is so expensive for her children who are in their 20s. 20s. She says she's hearing from her constituents, their concerns about the Obamacare subsidies and the rising cost of health care. She thinks it's up to her party to, in fact, deal with it and that if they don't, it's going to be a loser for them in the midterms. Now, this isn't the only space in which Marjorie Taylor Greene is bucking the party. She's also bucking them on the Epstein files. She is one of a handful of Republicans who, who is signing that discharge petition with Thomas Massie, another MAGA renegade, and Ro Khan of the Democrat from Silicon Valley. And they want to push this discharge petition that will force the Congress, the members of Congress, to vote on whether to compel the Department of Homeland Security to release the Epstein files. It's her, Lauren Boebert, Thomas Massie and Nancy Mace that are among the handful of Republicans. So what's happened to Marjorie? Is she planning her own political future outside of President Trump? Is she betting against him and the Republican Party? I mean, she's 51 years old. Who knows what's next for her? So I talk about that on the show. And then there's Katie Porter. We talk about the former congresswoman from Orange county who is being plagued by a number of videos that show a nasty side. She didn't want to take questions from a reporter, berated her for asking follow up questions and then got up for from the interview saying she was done. Sounds like someone we know, President Trump. But then there was another video that came out in which she was screaming at a staffer for getting in her effing shot. Again, I know from my reporting that President Trump can be quite foul mouthed in behind the scenes and that he's known for shouting at his staff as well. Is there a difference when a man does it versus a woman? Do we, are we okay with a strong man but not a strong woman? Something to think about. He certainly has said very nasty things on camera as well. But nonetheless, we debate all of it on Abby Phillips show. And Scott Jennings brings up a pretty interesting anecdote about Katie Porter throwing a hot bowl of mashed potatoes on her ex husband. Obviously this is into force papers which my producer Eric felt sound and I brought it up during the commercial break which had me think, scott, did you steal my line? Although he's, he said that he already knew it, but this is, this is how it goes. But yeah, I didn't get to spar with Scott as much as we would have hoped. It always makes for an interesting conversation. As you know, he's been on the Tara Palmeri show before and you should check it out. Thanks again for listening. And here is the Abby Phillips show on CNN.

[Abby Phillips]

Tonight, anger over the government shutdown is reaching new levels, including on live TV when Speaker Mike Johnson fielded questions from Americans.

[Tara Palmeri]

I have a husband who actively serves this country.

[Abby Phillips]

He suffers from PTSD from his two chores in Afghanistan. If we see a lapse in pay come the 15th, my children do not get to get the medication that's needed for them. As a Republican, I'm very disappointed in my and I'm very disappointed in you because you do have the power to call the House back. I am begging you to pass this legislation. My kids could die. Representative Johnson, I've heard you say that President Trump wants to open the government back up when your words are different from his, when he says this is his opportune time to fire people, to close up different organizations and things that have been able to help people. Please explain that to me. This comes as one Republican is blaming her own party for the shutdown.

[Tara Palmeri]

I'm actually putting the blame on the speaker and Leader Thune in the Senate. This should not be happening.

[Abby Phillips]

We control the House.

[Tara Palmeri]

We control the Senate. We have the White House. I'm a representative. I don't have to be a cheerleader for my party. I have to represent my district because those are the people that hired me and sent me here.

[Abby Phillips]

Tara Palmieri is joining us in our fifth seat. Tara, it does kind of seem like Republicans are having a little bit of trouble holding it together in the shutdown, even though technically, you know, by the rules of conventional politics, maybe they should be the ones with the upper hand. Right.

[Tara Palmeri]

I think that the health care issue is certainly sticking. Democrats, they bet on the right one. It seems like they're winning this. This fight. I mean, they have. They can totally fumble it and mess it up. But for now, I think that they have the ability to do that because the Obamacare subsidies, I mean, it's a real thing. You just heard Marjorie Taylor Greene speak out against it. I do wonder how much of this is political, though, for Marjorie, because, yeah, she's listening to her district, but maybe she's starting to bet on the fact that this administration is not as popular as it seems and that Republicans are taking the blame for this. And she sees her own career and her own future. She's 51 years old. Maybe in 2028, she's. She's as MAGA as it comes. It'd be pretty hard to prove that she's not maga. She's like the.

[Abby Phillips]

But I mean, that's right. That's politics as it is supposed to be, in a sense, where if she feels like the political winds are shifting, she's gonna say something. But I also think perhaps it has something to do with the fact that especially on the healthcare issue, to your point, this is something that affects red states and blue states. I mean, the marketplace enrollments, the increase from 2020 to 2025. Take a look at some of the biggest states where they've had increases in the people on the marketpl. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia. That's Marjorie Taylor Greene State. Tennessee and West Virginia. So you're seeing a lot of red states that have huge increases in the number of people who are affected by marketplace issues. And they want these subsidies to be extended more than likely because they're going to be facing cost increases.

[Tim Alberta]

Abby, I think it's important in this conversation that we sort of pause and for a second, pause the politics and really appreciate the impact this has on daily. You know, it broke my heart to hear that woman talk about her disabled veteran husband who was gonna. Was gonna suffer through this issue. So I think it's important that we do that. But I also think it's important that we highlight that while we talk about the Republicans and we talk about Marjorie Taylor Greene, there are people who are celebrating this. I think that we have a quote today from Leader Schumer where he says this gets better for us every single day. And I think that it's important that we sort of pause, don't do the politics, don't celebrate as this is getting better for Democrats every day because it's not getting better for the American economy.

[Scott Jennings]

You're refusing to negotiate on this right now?

[Tim Alberta]

Well, no, but what changed? What changed from March when Leader Schumer said we should not have a shutdown? No shutdown ever. That was his quote in March. What changed between now and September?

[Scott Jennings]

Because he grew a spine and realized he needed to stand up for health care. Look, here's the reality. Let's take Kentucky. 100,000 people are gonna face higher costs than their premiums. 18,000 people are gonna lose healthcare altogether. A 45 year old couple is gonna see a 300% increase. 2,500 more a year. A 60 year old is gonna have 100% more. This is on top of the one big beautiful bill. 200,000 people losing their Medicaid. This is real people and real issues. I think Leader Schumer realizes that they are humanizing this data. They are showing what's happening to the premiums and nobody likes that, red or blue.

[Tara Palmeri]

Wait, no. Leader Schumer realizes he made a mistake and now he's doing the right thing. I run in my day job, a homeless service organization. Basically, between the big bill and this potential AAC issue.

[Tim Alberta]

You forgot to say beautiful. Big, beautiful.

[Tara Palmeri]

I know. I'm pretty sure I didn't. I had another word. But we're on television and I try to be nice occasionally. And the ACA issue, almost all of the people, we house, 7,000 people a night, almost all of them will end up with no coverage. And this is children with asthma, people with skin, serious health conditions. That's what is on the line here. And if the Republicans want to deal with this, come to the table and.

[Tim Alberta]

Negotiate with all that perspective, which I totally appreciate. What did the leader mean when he said this is getting better for us every day? I mean, you just gave us a very.

[Abby Phillips]

I don't know when.

[Tim Alberta]

What did he mean by that?

[Tara Palmeri]

I couldn't defend some quote. Chuck Schumer made this. What he is doing and Hakeem Jeffries are doing is the Right thing. And if the Republicans want to help that woman's husband, to help those children come to the table and negotiate, period.

[Scott Jennings]

A few things. One, you did an eloquent job of explaining just what a disaster Obamacare has turned out to be. It's neither affordable and there is no care. It was an act. That's the only thing operable. 20 million people. Number two. Number two. Number two, Republicans, many Republicans have said they'd love to negotiate on this. Now many, many very rich people are getting these subsidies. And it may be that they end up negotiating on income caps. But the government does not have to be closed in order for those conversations to take place. That's what's so jarring about this. Thirteen times Democrats voted for CRS under Joe Biden. And now they say we have to close the government to negotiate on an issue that doesn't even become operable until the end of the year. Final, final point. Mike Johnson went on C Span today. He is the speaker of the House. That is the people's House. And he took questions from the American people. It takes stones to do that. And I'm glad he did it. And where are Schumer and where are Jeffries? They're doing what Tim raised, which is celebrating some cynical political tactical issues here. And while Mike Johnson's out listening to people of the United States. I think that's good politics.

[Abby Phillips]

I do think Mike Johnson does deserve credit for those questions. And I just want to highlight something that I don't think it was in the clip that we played. But that woman whose husband is an active duty military member, she also said that they can't even use credit cards to pay for her kids medication because they have so much medical debt. Medical debt that they cannot even afford to do that. So that's just a picture right there of what's going on in the country in terms of health care and how much of a burden American families are under. MAGA is losing it after Katie Porter's campaign for governor of California goes viral for all the wrong reasons. Including newly uncovered video that shows the former House Democrat snapping at a staffer who interrupted her during an interview to correct a point Porter had made. Now a warning to children in the room. You probably should cover your ears for this one. Listen. That we're gonna lose more than half.

[Tara Palmeri]

A million Californians dying prematurely to air pollution and other problems. And the state could lose.

[Abby Phillips]

Get out of my fucking shot.

[Scott Jennings]

Abby. I think you beat the wrong thing.

[Abby Phillips]

There's also this fiery exchange Porter had with a local journalist. Sacramento Listen to this.

[Tara Palmeri]

What do you say to the 40% of California voters who you'll need in order to win, who voted for Trump?

[Abby Phillips]

How would I need them in order to win?

[Tara Palmeri]

Well, unless you think you're going to get 60% of the vote. You think you'll get 60 all. Everybody who did not vote for Trump will vote for you. That's what you're in a general election. Yes. If it is me versus a Republican.

[Abby Phillips]

I think that I will win.

[Tara Palmeri]

The people who did not vote for.

[Abby Phillips]

Trump, I'm saying I'm going to try.

[Tara Palmeri]

To win every vote I can.

[Abby Phillips]

And what I'm saying to you is.

[Tara Palmeri]

That, well, to those voters.

[Abby Phillips]

Okay, so you, I don't want to keep doing this. I'm going to call it.

[Tara Palmeri]

Thank you. You're not going to do the interview with us? Nope.

[Abby Phillips]

Not like this, I'm not.

[Tara Palmeri]

Not with seven follow ups to every single question you ask.

[Abby Phillips]

Oh, look, bad behavior for sure, Tara, but I feel like we're in an era of politicians behaving badly when it comes to journalists, reporters.

[Tara Palmeri]

Oh, yeah. I mean, President Trump literally attacks reporters every single day. Calls it, you're a nasty woman, you're this, you're that.

[Abby Phillips]

He said, he told me I asked stupid questions.

[Tara Palmeri]

So, I mean, it's a badge of honor.

[Abby Phillips]

I've been there, didn't take it personally. But that's, that's Trump, I think.

[Tara Palmeri]

Yeah. He. People like that nastiness. They think it is strength. They think it is.

[Abby Phillips]

They like it from a man they think authentic.

[Tara Palmeri]

And he curses like that behind the scenes. My sources to him for sure. Yeah.

[Scott Jennings]

Are we sure Katie Porter's not improving? Because in her previous negative interactions with other human beings, she once, I think, poured a pot of hot scalding mashed potatoes on someone. She didn't even physically assault this reporter. So maybe she's actually an improving California. Are you really going to look at that face in your television screen for the next four years and tolerate this behavior? Do better. You got millions upon millions of people.

[Abby Phillips]

Scott, I think the question, one of the questions, though, for you, I mean, not so much for other people who don't like this behavior, but for you. You comfortable with that treatment of reporters from Trump but not from Katie Porter?

[Scott Jennings]

I don't, I don't care what Katie Porter does to reporters. I thought it was legitimate questions. And any legitimate candidate for governor, especially in a state that size, ought to have a better answer.

[Abby Phillips]

I mean, I think.

[Tim Alberta]

Can I just make a quick comment about the behavior of candidates and elected officials? There Seems to definitely be a double standard. I think it's like a East coast versus west coast, you know, how we treat each other or how we act. Because in Virginia, you. You have a candidate who's running for Attorney general who sent text messages out talking about he wanted there a bullet, two bullets for the speaker of the House, his Republican colleague, and talking about wanting to urinate on the grave.

[Tara Palmeri]

I don't think that's an isolated experience. Well, no, no, no.

[Tim Alberta]

I'm not.

[Abby Phillips]

That's a. But listen, but, Tim, I mean, there are a lot of psychopaths. Listen that. First of all, I don't want us to. I don't want to. I don't want to compare apples to oranges here. I mean, I think the question is, Katie Porter had these interactions with her staff and these interactions with the press, and it's so egregious that here's what some of the reaction from Mag has been. What a mean, spoiled brat Katie porter is. Meghan McCain says Glenn Beck. She can't answer basic questions without exploding. Clay Travis. Democrats are so upset at the media being propagandists that they totally lose it when they ask basic questions, so on and so forth. I am old enough to remember when Donald Trump walked out of a CBS interview with Lesley Stahl because he didn't like the questions that she asked. So, I mean, is that disqualifying?

[Tim Alberta]

Well, no, I don't think it's disqualifying, but I will say this is when you. I've loved that you raised the points about those responses because it's been crickets from the other side on the J. Jones incident where we see this and.

[Tara Palmeri]

So that mean behavior.

[Abby Phillips]

Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Listen, let me, Let me just say. Let me just. Let me just say the J. Jones incident is terrible, but it's a completely different situation that has nothing to do with Katie Porter's conduct in an interview with reporters, which Democrats are criticizing very much. Democrats are totally criticizing.

[Tara Palmeri]

It's been called.

[Abby Phillips]

Okay, let me actually. Yes, hold on. Can I name one? Yes, I can name one. Okay. Javier Becerra criticized her comments about the votes. She said, I'm not interested in and excluding any votes. Betty Yee. After watching the interview, it's clear Katie Porter doesn't have the temperament to be governor. Antonio Villagarrosa. We need a leader who will solve hard problems and answer simple questions.

[Scott Jennings]

Why is it so important?

[Abby Phillips]

There has been criticism.

[Tim Alberta]

I'm talking about the criticism.

[Scott Jennings]

Why is it.

[Abby Phillips]

No, I'm talking. Okay.

[Tara Palmeri]

I'm talking about California.

[Abby Phillips]

You keep bringing up Virginia. It's a different topic. I'm just saying you can have that conversation, but you're not gonna bring it into this conversation when it has nothing to do with it.

[Scott Jennings]

Here's the reality. Hill staffers are grossly underpaid and horribly overworked. They will do anything for their bosses. That staffer was trying to correct a truth that was on record so that she wasn't looking badly when it was published. And her reaction was to cuss her out, by the way, in front of the sitting energy secretary, who is one of the most unbelievably nice people I've ever met in my life. And so I think when people see that and the way she treats those staffers, it gives people pause about how she will treat those less powerful than she will. And I think that's a legitimate conversation.

[Abby Phillips]

Yeah. One of the fastest implosions of a campaign I think I've ever seen. Everyone, thank you very much.

[Tara Palmeri]

That was another episode of the Tara Palmieri Show. If you like this show, please subscribe. Rate it, share it with your friends. If you like my reporting, go to tarapaulmeri.com that's T A R A P A L m e r I.com and sign up for my newsletter, the Red Letter. That's where you can get my exclusive reporting. Holding Holding Power to account straight to your inbox. And also a way to support my independent journalism. I want to thank my producer, Eric Abenate. I want to thank Adam Stewart, who makes the graphics, and Abby Baker, who does the research and some of the reporting. I'll be back again next week.