Marjorie Taylor Greene's 'MUGA' Tactic Backfires

GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's attempt to shame the so-called "uniparty" of pro-Ukraine Republicans and Democrats has backfired.

During a Wednesday press conference on her plan to remove Speaker of the House Mike Johnson from leadership over the passage of $61 billion in Ukraine aid, Greene displayed a blue and yellow "MUGA" ("Make Ukraine Great Again") hat, a reference to the MAGA slogan often associated with former President Donald Trump.

"The uniparty is Make Ukraine Great Again," Greene said while holding up the hat, before placing it on a poster of Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. "The uniparty is all about funding every single foreign war. They think this is the business model that needs to be done ... That's not how you build jobs in America."

Greene's "MUGA" moment seemingly inspired the liberal anti-Trump group MeidasTouch. The group began selling $45 limited-edition replicas of the hats the very next day, with all proceeds going to benefit pro-Ukraine charities United Help Ukraine and World Central Kitchen.

"BREAKING: MTG had a meltdown over aid being sent to Ukraine and unveiled a new MUGA hat," the group wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday. "In her honor, we are now selling the hat with 100% of profits going to two groups who do incredible work in Ukraine. Get yours – and thank Marge for her support!"

"It was very thoughtful of Marjorie Taylor Greene to help us find another way to support Ukraine!" the group added in a post replying to former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger saying that he wants the hat. "MUGA hats available now."

Newsweek reached out for comment to Greene's office via email on Thursday.

While Republican Congressmen Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar have indicated that they are supporting Greene's attempt to oust Johnson, the speaker himself appears to be unconcerned about the motion and other Republican lawmakers have denounced the effort.

Johnson said during a Wednesday interview on the NewsNation program The Hill that he does not believe Greene is a "serious lawmaker," adding that he does not "spend a lot of time thinking about" the congresswoman and was prepared to "let the chips fall where they may."

GOP Representative Dan Bacon told CNN's Manu Raju that "98 percent of" House Republicans consider Greene's move to be "disgusting," while Congressman Derrick Van Orden said that the attempt to remove Johnson reminded him of tactics from "a junior high school" or a "reality television show."

Although Greene is expected to force a vote on the motion to vacate Johnson's speakership next week, some Democrats have indicated that they will not allow her to succeed, despite previously helping Republican Representative Matt Gaetz remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year.

Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said in a joint statement that they would not support Greene's motion, while vowing to "aggressively" push back "against MAGA extremism" and "turn the page on this chapter of pro-Putin Republican obstruction."