Trump calls Massie a "moron" as Kentucky feud escalates

• "He's an automatic 'no,' no matter what," Trump said, referring to Massie's frequent opposition to GOP-backed legislation.
• Earlier this week, Trump attacked Massie's wife on Truth Social, claiming she made the congressman "a Liberal."
• Massie was one of just two House Republicans to vote against Trump's signature "Big, Beautiful Bill" and led the effort to release the Epstein files in defiance of Trump and GOP leaders.

Driving the news: Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), who is running to replace retiring Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), became the first member of the Kentucky delegation to endorse Massie's primary opponent Ed Gallrein on Thursday.

• "Ed will fight for the MAGA agenda and will NEVER side with AOC and the radical left against President Trump," Barr wrote on X.
• Massie fired back, telling NBC News: "We haven't seen a poll where Andy Barr wasn't in last place in months. This is a desperate political stunt by Barr to get Trump's attention. Nobody in Kentucky's 4th district has ever said they want a swampy congressman just like Andy Barr."

Between the lines: Massie told Axios earlier this week that "the speaker of the House should say something," referring to Trump's attack on his wife.

• Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has repeatedly said he is in an "incumbent protection program" when asked about Massie, though he has not endorsed him.

Catch up quick: Massie and Trump's contentious relationship dates back to Trump's first term.

• In 2020, Massie opposed Trump's COVID relief package, leading the president to call for the congressman to be thrown "out of the Republican Party."
• Last summer, Massie had asked Johnson for help repairing his relationship with the president, and Johnson was able to broker a truce, Axios previously reported.
• The ceasefire didn't last long. Days later, Massie ramped up his public criticism of the administration's handling of the Epstein files.