Trump takes anti-Massie crusade to Kentucky in stark escalation
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Rep. Massie at the State of the Union address on Feb. 24. Photo: Kenny Holston/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Trump called GOP Rep. Thomas Massie "disloyal" and a "nut job" during a visit to Massie's district Wednesday that marks a striking escalation in his long-running feud with the Kentucky Republican.
Why it matters: Trump has gone after select GOP incumbents from afar for years. But now, the president is doing it on their own turf.
- "He is the worst person. His name is...What the hell? How did he ever end up in Kentucky, his name is Thomas Massie," Trump said Wednesday afternoon, drawing boos from the audience at the mention of Massie's name.
- Trump brought Massie's primary challenger, Ed Gallrein, up on stage to speak next to him, calling Gallrein "a real hero."
- "You deserve an authentic, true Republican conservative that stands shoulder to shoulder with our president," said Gallerin, who Trump recruited and has endorsed.
Driving the news: Massie is the first Republican incumbent that Trump's political organization targeted for defeat this cycle — and the intensity of the president's anti-Massie efforts means the primary outcome will be scored as a test of Trump's influence.
- "Give me somebody with a warm body to beat Massie, and I got somebody with a warm body, but a big, beautiful brain, and a great patriot. He's unbelievable," Trump said of Gallrein on Wednesday.
- Trump noted that he won Kentucky handily and cast Massie as out of step with the state's voters.
- At a national prayer breakfast last month, Trump called Massie a "moron," adding, "He's an automatic 'no,' no matter what."
Catch up quick: Massie's willingness to buck the party line has become so routine that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) doesn't even factor him into the equation for tough votes.
- The Kentucky Republican was one of just two GOP lawmakers to oppose Trump's signature "big, beautiful bill."
- He also led the push to release the Epstein files, defying Trump and party leadership.
Flashback: Trump has long actively supported challengers to incumbent Republicans whom he views as disloyal with campaign funds and social media posts.
- But Wednesday's trip is a notable step further.
Between the lines: The speaker has neither endorsed Massie nor offered much public support, despite his self-described role as head of an "incumbent protection program."
- "I have the back of every House Republican," Johnson told Axios in an interview at the Capitol last month, while adding that "It would be helpful if Thomas would play with the team more."
- Asked about whether he planned to endorse Massie, Johnson replied, "If he continues to vote with the Democrats, it makes it very difficult for me."
The other side: Massie did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's remarks.
- But in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, he said his constituents are raising questions about Trump's war on Iran and its impact on the U.S. economy.
- Last week, Massie was one of just two House Republicans to support Democrats' War Powers Resolution.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
Go deeper: Mike Johnson can't count on Thomas Massie
