Scoop: Pro-Trump group unleashes first TV ad against Massie
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Screenshot: MAGA Kentucky
A pro-Trump super PAC is out with its first TV ad against Rep. Thomas Massie, the Kentucky Republican targeted for defeat by the president, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: President Trump's powerful political operation is showing that it's willing to unload part of its massive $500 million war chest to unseat Massie, who the White House views as its chief Republican detractor in the House.
- MAGA Kentucky's commercial is set to begin airing on Friday, and is the first part of an overall $1 million ad buy.
- The ads will be concentrated on Fox News and broadcast TV stations in the Cincinnati and Louisville markets.
- It will also be airing digitally, aimed at targeted Republican voters.
Zoom in: The spot concludes by saying that Massie, an anti-interventionist who was critical of Trump's decision to strike Iran, "sided" with with the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- The spot flashes an image of Massie alongside Khamenei and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a pair of prominent liberals who also criticized Trump for attacking Iran.
- The ad also targets Massie for voting against Trump-backed legislation aimed at cutting taxes and funding border security.
- "Let's fire Thomas Massie," the ad says.
Representatives for Massie did not respond to requests for comment.
The background: MAGA Kentucky is affiliated with Trump's official political apparatus.
- It is led by senior Trump advisers Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio.
- Trump advisers are actively recruiting a primary challenger to Massie, with an eye toward clearing the field so Massie rivals don't splinter support.
- "The good news is that we will have a wonderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I'll be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.
The other side: Massie allies argue that his libertarian streak has made him politically popular in his conservative central Kentucky district.
- He easily fended off primary challenges the last three election cycles.
