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Justice and Morrisey get into a slap fight on social media amid governor’s race rumors

By Brad McElhinny 
Patrick Morrisey and Jim Justice participate in a joint news conference in 2020. (Governor's Office)

U.S. Senator Jim Justice and Gov. Patrick Morrisey, both Republicans got into a tussle on social media on Wednesday evening. Political observers took it as bad blood spilling into the open and a hint of what could be to come.

The historic Greenbrier Hotel, owned by Justice and his family but in a state of transition, was at the center of it.

“Patrick seems awfully eager to take shots at people who actually take risks, build businesses and create jobs in West Virginia,” Justice said.

“I wish you the best, but you can’t blame me or anyone else for your financial mismanagement in losing The Greenbrier,” Morrisey countered.

There’s a lot of context and history here.

Justice, a two-term governor from 2016 through 2024, is rumored to be strongly considering a run to return to the office. Morrisey, who served as attorney general while Justice was governor, has been in the office since the start of 2025.

Justice’s endorsement for his successor went not to Morrisey, but instead to Moore Capito, a former state delegate and son of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito. Morrisey wound up as the winner of a split Republican primary vote and then cruised in the general election.

In the off-year primary election cycle this past spring, Justice and Morrisey expressed support — generally — for different slates of Republicans in key legislative races.

This week’s public beef focused on The Greenbrier Hotel, which has been owned by Justice and his family since 2009. The iconic, 710-room Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs features a private casino, four golf courses and a spa.

Ownership of the historic resort has long been at the center of Justice’s public persona.

The Justices entered into a deal this month with a New York investment firm to clear out millions of dollars in debt while also providing the potential for long-delayed upgrades and repairs.

An upshot of that deal is that Kennedy Lewis Investment Management has wound up with 51% control of The Greenbrier, with the Justices controlling the remaining 49 percent. Kennedy Lewis names representation of three of five governing board members, including  Lloyd Charles Nathan, who is designated as the chairman.

Because The Greenbrier’s casino is regulated by West Virginia Lottery, the state agency had to examine and approve the changes to The Greenbrier’s oversight structure relating to gaming activities there. To draw a line that is obvious, West Virginia Lottery is an agency in the executive branch now led by Morrisey.

Very shortly after the lottery commission signed off on The Greenbrier’s changes on Wednesday afternoon, Morrisey distributed a statement “on Lloyd Nathan, Chairman of the Board of The Greenbrier Resort, for gaining majority control of The Greenbrier Casino.”

The statement seemed to emphasize that the investment firm, not the Justices, have majority control. And it highlighted the need for deferred maintenance.

Morrisey said, “As Lloyd Nathan, the new Chairman of the Board of the Greenbrier Resort, becomes more acquainted with the Greenbrier Valley, we are committed to working with him to refurbish and enhance this historic property.”

The governor added, “I am hopeful that the new controlling owner will bring much needed financial stability to the iconic Greenbrier resort.”

Just a few hours later, Justice shot back with his own social media post.

“Patrick seems awfully eager to take shots at people who actually take risks, build businesses and create jobs in West Virginia. I’ve spent my life doing exactly that — signing the front of paychecks for thousands of West Virginians, not just collecting one,” Justice said.

“My family saved The Greenbrier, invested hundreds of millions of dollars in West Virginia and helped put thousands of people to work. Now the resort has a strong new partner and a bright future. Patrick can keep playing politics. We’ll keep building.”

It wasn’t over. Within half an hour, Morrisey quote tweeted Justice.

“I wish you the best, but you can’t blame me or anyone else for your financial mismanagement in losing The Greenbrier,” Morrisey said on what constitutes his political, not governmental, account.

Morrisey closed with a trademark phrase: “Keep the faith!”

Observers had only the faith that this is heating up. Not everyone thought it was constructive.

The unfriendly fire could be observed as far away as Washington, D.C., by the nation’s political journalists.

The spat between two of West Virginia’s biggest political brawlers was the talk of the evening. Now that shots have been fired, this could go on to 2028.





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