Elon Musk sits out Thomas Massie's primary

• "I think [Musk] found out it's easier to land rockets backwards and to get cars to drive themselves than it is to fix this place," Massie told Axios at the Capitol last week, adding that he doesn't expect Musk's help at this point.
• 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.

State of play: Polls have given Massie a lead over Gallerin — but by far less than in his previous reelection bids.

• A Quantus Insights survey of likely registered voters from early April found 46.8% of voters support Massie in the May 19 primary, and 37.7% back Gallrein, with 14% undecided.
• It's a strikingly competitive margin for a lawmaker who has historically cruised to reelection.

What they're saying: "It's hard for donors in business to get involved in politics if they're not completely just in the tank for Trump without putting their businesses in jeopardy," Massie said.

• "I don't know if that's the case with Elon, but I've seen that with other donors," he said. Massie declined to share who those donors are.
• "I have no animosity or hard feelings towards him," Massie said of Musk.

Zoom out: Musk gave major contributions to the pro-House and Senate GOP super PACs in late 2025, Axios previously reported.

• He also cut a massive $10 million check to bolster outsider Nate Morris, a pro-Trump candidate running to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell.