Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has launched a furious counterattack against Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene after she made a brazen attempt to link him to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The explosive political clash erupted when Greene, known for her controversial statements, posted a photograph on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showing Khanna alongside former President Bill Clinton at a 2010 event. The Georgia Republican captioned the image with the incendiary question: "@RoKhanna why were you hanging out with Jeffrey Epstein's best friend?"
A Vehement Denunciation
Khanna's response was immediate and uncompromising. The California Democrat denounced Greene's tactics as "disgusting" and categorically denied any connection to the disgraced financier, who died in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
"I've never met Epstein, was never near him, and find the insinuation disgusting," Khanna stated emphatically, making clear his complete dissociation from the convicted sex offender.
Political Motives Behind the Smear
Political analysts suggest Greene's attack appears strategically timed to divert attention from her own controversies. The congresswoman has recently faced mounting criticism over her inflammatory rhetoric and support for conspiracy theories.
This incident represents the latest example of the increasingly toxic nature of American political discourse, where baseless allegations are weaponised for partisan gain. Khanna's firm rebuttal signals a growing willingness among politicians to confront and condemn such smear campaigns directly.
A Pattern of Dangerous Rhetoric
Greene's attempt to tarnish Khanna's reputation follows her established pattern of deploying unsubstantiated claims against political opponents. Experts on political communication have expressed concern about the normalisation of such tactics, which they warn undermines democratic integrity and public trust.
As both parties prepare for upcoming election battles, this confrontation highlights the escalating tension between traditional political debate and the new era of social media-driven character assassination.
