Fact Check: Did Trump threaten Rep Thomas Massie over his push to release Epstein files?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral video showing Rep Thomas Massie discussing a phone call from President Donald Trump on the House floor is gaining attention online. Massie says Trump called him three times and threatened to “attack you in a way you've never seen before” during a dispute over his political actions. Social media posts now link the calls to Massie’s push to release the Epstein files, but that connection is being questioned.

Claim: Thomas Massie says Trump threatened to 'attack him in a way you've never seen before'

The rumor originated with an X user, GBC Press, who claimed that Rep Thomas Massie said Donald Trump called him on the House floor after he pushed for the release of the Epstein files.

The post claimed Trump threatened Massie three times, saying, “I’ll attack you in a way you’ve never seen before.” It also quoted Massie explaining that he let the calls go to voicemail because he did not recognize the number.

Massie said the caller ID showed all zeros, which made him believe the call came from Trump.

Massie said he later called the White House and was connected to Trump. According to Massie, Trump told him, “I’m coming at you as you’ve never seen. Never in your life before have you seen the way in which I will come at you.”

Trump also allegedly told Massie that he was more popular than him in Kentucky, said he would support Massie’s primary opponent, and predicted that Massie would lose.

Fact Check: The claim is false

The claim is false. Rep Thomas Massie did recount the phone call from Donald Trump, but the circulating post falsely links the incident to Massie’s push to release the Epstein files.

Massie has publicly described the incident, including in the video now circulating online. He said Trump called him three times while he was on the House floor.

Massie has said he told this story before. The incident dates to 2020, when Massie opposed the CARES Act, a COVID-19 relief package. The video does not show Trump threatening Massie over the Epstein files.

Trump and Massie have since had a long-running public dispute over the release of Epstein-related records. Massie supported the Epstein Files Transparency Act and helped push for its passage.

Trump opposed the effort before later signing the bill and also backed a primary challenger against Massie. However, there is no credible evidence to prove the phone call described in the video was related to the Epstein files.