President Donald Trump has turned his political firepower on Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) ahead of Tuesday’s primary, escalating his push to purge Republican incumbents he deems disloyal. The move comes just hours after Trump-backed challengers forced Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) out of his seat in a historic Louisiana primary defeat.
In a series of early Sunday posts on Truth Social, Trump labeled Massie “the worst and most unreliable Republican Congressman in the history of our Country” and an “even bigger insult to our Nation than Senator Bill Cassidy.” He accused Massie of being “disloyal” and a “major sleazebag,” while urging Kentucky’s 4th District voters to back his endorsed candidate, Ed Gallrein—a farmer and Army veteran whom Trump described as a “successful Kentucky farmer, and American War Hero.”
Trump’s anger toward Massie stems from multiple legislative clashes. Massie voted against the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and opposed Trump’s tax cuts, border wall funding, and military and law enforcement priorities. He also partnered with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (CA) to push for the release of files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—a move that further infuriated the former president.
The Kentucky primary has shattered spending records. According to AdImpact, the race is the most expensive House primary in U.S. history, with $25.6 million poured into television, radio, and digital advertising. Campaign filings show Massie has outspent Gallrein $5.8 million to $2.6 million, but recent polling suggests the incumbent may be vulnerable. A Quantus Insights survey found Gallrein leading Massie 48.3% to 43.1%.
Cassidy’s ouster on Saturday marked a major victory for Trump’s intra-party campaign. The Louisiana senator, who voted to convict Trump over the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, was eliminated in the primary as Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming advanced to a June runoff. Trump gloated on Truth Social, calling it “the first time such a thing has ever happened to a sitting U.S. Senator” and tying Cassidy’s defeat directly to his impeachment vote.
Massie is not the only incumbent facing Trump’s wrath this cycle. On Saturday, Trump threatened to withdraw his endorsement of Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) after she campaigned for Massie at a rally in Kentucky. “Boebert is campaigning for the Worst ‘Republican’ Congressman in the History of our Country,” Trump wrote, adding that “anybody who can be that dumb deserves a good Primary fight.” He warned that “if the right person came along,” he would endorse an alternative.
The president’s targeting of Massie and Cassidy reflects a broader effort to enforce loyalty among GOP lawmakers. GOP lawmakers increasingly defy Trump as election pressures mount, but those who cross him risk facing well-funded primary challengers. The Trump-backed Letlow and Fleming force Cassidy out in Louisiana Senate primary, demonstrating the former president’s continued grip on the party base.
Trump’s attacks on Massie have been relentless. “Bad Congressman Tom Massie voted against Tax Cuts, the Border Wall, our Military and Law Enforcement. Actually, he voted against almost everything that is good,” Trump wrote. “The Worst Republican Congressman in History. Kentucky, vote the bum out on Tuesday. We can’t live with this troublemaker for another two years. He is a true negative force!!!”
The primary, set for Tuesday, will test whether Trump’s endorsement can unseat a sitting House member who has repeatedly bucked the party line. Massie’s campaign has framed the race as a battle against Trump’s interference, while Gallrein’s team touts his alignment with the former president. With record spending and national attention, the outcome could signal the limits—or reach—of Trump’s power in Republican primaries.
