Former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene delivered a sharp critique of President Donald Trump’s final midterm election message during a CNN interview, questioning why he devoted so much attention to renovations at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool while Americans continued to struggle with everyday expenses.
Speaking with Kaitlan Collins on The Source on November 2, Greene said she was disappointed by the president’s decision to highlight the Washington landmark just hours before voters headed to the polls.
“I was very disappointed,” Greene said.
She argued that Americans were dealing with inflation, high fuel prices and rising health insurance costs, making Trump’s focus on a renovation project an inappropriate closing message.
“Standing in front of the reflecting pool that most Americans, I would say 99.999% of Americans don’t ever think about on a daily basis was absolutely the wrong message to send to Americans asking them to go vote for Republicans tomorrow.”
Collins asked Greene why she thought Trump had chosen that message.
“I have no idea,” Greene replied.
Greene, whose family has worked in construction, said she could appreciate discussions about repairs and renovations. But she argued that Republicans had been elected in 2024 on promises to address more immediate concerns.
She pointed to lowering the cost of living, reducing gas and diesel prices, ending foreign wars and improving conditions for younger Americans.
Greene said those priorities had not received the attention she believed they deserved.
She also criticized the administration’s focus on foreign leaders, major donors and White House renovation projects while ordinary Americans continued to face financial difficulties.
Her criticism extended beyond the president’s speech.
Asked about the possibility of Republicans losing congressional seats, Greene argued that such an outcome would reflect dissatisfaction with Trump’s administration rather than simply the performance of individual Republican candidates.
“I think it’s a complete referendum on Donald Trump,” she said, describing what she considered broken promises on foreign policy, affordability and the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related records.
Greene also criticized Republican leaders in Congress, accusing them of failing to challenge the president or establish an independent legislative agenda.
The former congresswoman has become increasingly outspoken about her disagreements with Trump, particularly over foreign policy and the administration’s handling of Epstein-related information.
During the interview, Greene also discussed their personal falling-out.
She alleged that Trump had sent her a message suggesting she deserved threats against her son after their relationship deteriorated. Greene said she retained the messages and would require a public apology before considering reconciliation.
Her account was an allegation made during the interview; the messages themselves were not independently examined in the reporting cited here.
The CNN appearance came after Trump spent part of his final pre-election message discussing work on the Reflecting Pool, including repairs to its infrastructure and surrounding features.
Greene maintained that those details were far removed from the economic concerns she was hearing from voters.
Her remarks illustrated a public disagreement between Trump and a former political ally over the Republican Party’s priorities, campaign messaging and the administration’s record.
The interview did not establish how voters would respond at the ballot box, but it provided a detailed account of Greene’s dissatisfaction on the eve of the midterm elections.
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