Former President Trump publicly criticized Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Friday. The friction follows a meeting between the two lawmakers and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who has been a vocal critic of the administration's recent trade policy decisions.

At the center of the dispute is the administration's decision to lift specific tariffs on imported ground beef. Both Massie and Greene have voiced opposition to this policy, arguing against the economic impact of the move. Trump’s reaction, characterized as an expression of anger, suggests a deepening rift within the party regarding trade protectionism and the influence of media figures like Carlson on legislative priorities.

While the administration frames the tariff adjustment as a necessary economic measure, critics like Massie and Greene view it as a departure from the party's previous trade stance. The meeting with Carlson appears to have served as a catalyst for Trump’s public rebuke, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the former president's policy preferences and the concerns of some conservative lawmakers who prioritize domestic production protections.