President Donald Trump escalated his campaign against Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky on Sunday, issuing a blistering call for voters to remove the incumbent Republican from office. In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump described Massie as a “Third Rate Congressman” and a “Weak and Pathetic RINO” who “must be thrown out of office, ASAP!” The attack came just days before the primary election in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.
Trump’s post was accompanied by a photo of Massie’s primary challenger, Ed Gallrein, standing in the Oval Office. The president accused Massie of opposing key parts of his agenda, including tax cuts, border wall funding, and law enforcement support, while also claiming the congressman supported “transgender mutilation of our children” and allowing men to compete in women’s sports. These charges mirror broader GOP efforts to purge critics of Trump’s policies, as seen in recent primary losses for senators like Bill Cassidy, who faced a similar backlash from Trump-aligned forces.
Massie, who has served nine terms in the House, pushed back on Sunday, telling ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” that Trump’s attacks signal desperation. “You can tell that I’m ahead in the polls and they’re desperate,” Massie said. “That’s why they’re sending the secretary of war to my district tomorrow. That’s why the president’s losing sleep and tweeting about this.” The congressman has argued that Trump’s involvement has actually boosted his fundraising, a claim supported by reports that the race has become the most expensive House primary in U.S. history.
According to AdImpact, the contest has drawn $25.6 million in television, radio, and digital advertising, making it a national focal point for Trump’s effort to reshape the GOP. Gallrein, a veteran, has positioned himself as a loyalist to Trump, vowing to support veterans and their families. “In Congress, I’ll always stand up for our veterans and their families, support organizations doing this kind of life-changing work, and fight to help expand these efforts across Kentucky and our nation,” Gallrein wrote on X on Friday.
Massie’s campaign has highlighted his conservative voting record, framing him as a principled opponent of policies that benefit billionaires. The congressman has been a frequent critic of Trump’s economic approach, including trade deals that some argue have fueled financial anxiety among working-class voters. A recent poll revealed growing financial unease under Trump’s policies, underscoring tensions within the party over economic priorities.
The primary in Kentucky’s 4th District underscores a broader schism in the Republican Party, as Trump continues to target incumbents who have crossed him. Massie’s defiance, including votes against emergency spending and other measures, has made him a target. Meanwhile, Trump’s aggressive endorsement of Gallrein mirrors his strategy in other races, where he has sought to consolidate power by backing challengers aligned with his agenda. The outcome Tuesday will be closely watched as a bellwether for Trump’s influence ahead of the midterms.
