Trump Ousts Another Republican Critic as Massie Falls in Kentucky Primary

CNBC reported Tuesday that Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., lost his Republican primary in Kentucky’s 4th congressional district to Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL backed by President Donald Trump. The Thomas Massie Kentucky primary defeat marks the latest scalp in Trump’s ongoing campaign to remove disloyal Republicans from office.

A Decisive Night in Kentucky

The Associated Press and NBC News called the race within two hours of polls closing. Massie trailed Gallrein by nearly nine percentage points when the contest was declared. Massie had held the seat since 2012, building a reputation as a Libertarian-leaning contrarian within the House GOP. His willingness to break with party leadership on key floor votes made him a persistent thorn in the Republican caucus’s side.

The race became the most expensive congressional primary on record. According to data cited by CNBC, total ad spending reached $32.6 million, with nearly $8 million directed at attack ads targeting Massie. Money from Trump allies and pro-Israel groups poured into the district, partly because Massie has consistently opposed foreign aid packages, including assistance to Israel.

Background: Trump’s Grip on the GOP Electorate

Trump’s feud with Massie deepened over several flashpoints. Massie joined Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., in pushing for the release of files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, initially against Trump’s wishes. Trump responded with escalating public attacks, calling Massie “the worst Congressman in the long and storied history of the Republican Party” in a Truth Social post the day before the vote.

The Kentucky result fits a broader pattern. Earlier in May, Trump helped push out a cohort of Indiana state legislators who had resisted his redistricting agenda. Over the weekend, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after his 2021 impeachment, finished third in Louisiana’s primary and was eliminated from contention.

Trump Adds Cornyn to His Target List

The president did not pause after Massie’s defeat. Also on Tuesday, Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, citing Cornyn’s insufficient loyalty during difficult moments in Trump’s political career. The move signals Trump’s willingness to challenge even senior Senate figures heading into the next cycle.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unusual campaign appearance in Kentucky the day before the vote, drawing scrutiny over federal rules barring cabinet officials from political activity in their official roles. A Pentagon spokesperson said Hegseth attended in a personal capacity after legal review.

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