Trump bolsters Thomas Massie's GOP challenger ahead of midterms

President Trump bolstered Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky.) Republican primary opponent Ed Gallrein in a Truth Social post on Monday ahead of next year's midterm elections.

“Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP!” Trump wrote in the post. 

“The incredible people of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District gave us a mandate to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person that will help us do that is Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Fifth Generation Kentucky Farmer, Captain Ed Gallrein, a true America First Patriot,” he said. 

Trump went on to praise Gallrein’s experience as a combat veteran and businessman, vowing that the candidate would “keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

Gallrein launched his campaign for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District last month after Trump endorsed him. 

Trump and Massie have been in an ongoing feud following the Republican lawmaker’s break with the president on a number of policy issues, including Trump’s massive reconciliation package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Additionally, Massie has teamed up with progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to push for the release of files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

Massie, in turn, has sought to make hay out of Trump’s criticism. The Republican has more than $2 million in cash on hand for his reelection bid after receiving $768,000 in contributions from July to September, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.