Fact Check: Did Nick Shirley prove Marjorie Taylor Greene was bribed to oppose Trump?

DALTON, GEORGIA: Amid the tensions between former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and President Donald Trump, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms claiming that citizen journalist Nick Shirley proved that Greene was bribed to criticize Trump, sparking speculations and debates. Let us analyze the rumor and fact-check the claim.

Claim: Nick Shirley proved Marjorie Taylor Greene was bribed to oppose Donald Trump

According to the viral claim, independent online journalist Nick Shirley revealed he has evidence that Marjorie Taylor Greene received money to switch sides and oppose Trump. 

Last month, a user on Instagram posted a graphic image featuring the photos of Shirley and Greene with an overlay text stating, “Nick Shirley says he has proof that MTG was bribed to switch sides." 

The post was accompanied by a caption stating, “Marjorie Taylor Greene didn't just wake up one morning and have a change of heart. It took months of negotiations and a $14 million settlement for her to betray her country and her president."

"Citizen journalist Nick Shirley said on his podcast that he has already sent his research to the FBI in Georgia.”

The claim also spread on Facebook and X, garnering hundreds of thousands of views.

Fact Check: False, the claim originated as a satire

The claim, however, is false, as there is no evidence of Shirley making such an allegation against the former congresswoman.

A search on Google for the keywords ‘MTG accepted bribe to speak against Trump,’ ‘Greene under probe for accepting bribe,’ ‘Greene offered money to switch sides,’ yielded no credible reports, which, if true, would have been widely covered by reputable news outlets, such as The Associated Press or Reuters.

Moreover, the source of the rumor is a Facebook page called America's Last Line of Defense, whose bio describes the account as featuring "AI-free trollery and propaganda for cash."

Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation following Donald Trump fallout

Greene tendered her resignation to the House of Representatives in November last year, effective January 5, 2026, reportedly without notifying Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). 

Greene said she chose to step aside to avoid what she described as a “hateful primary” in her district. That battle became evident after President Trump withdrew his endorsement, setting the stage for a contentious intra-party contest. 

She has been critical of the Trump administration, often citing the president's reluctance to release the full trove of documents relating to the case of the late convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein.