Trump targets Massie for primary, pledging to ‘lead the charge against him’

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Monday night to launch a scathing attack on Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., declaring that the congressman \”SHOULD BE PRIMARIED\” and vowing to \”lead the charge against him.\” Trump compared Massie to former Rep. Liz Cheney, one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

In his post, Trump criticized Massie for consistently voting against various measures, despite his past support for Continuing Resolutions. He accused Massie of being a \”grandstander\” and suggested that the people of Kentucky would not tolerate his behavior. Trump drew parallels between Massie and Cheney, who suffered a defeat in the 2022 Republican primary after being endorsed by Trump’s primary challenger, Harriet Hageman.

As the deadline to prevent a government shutdown loomed, Massie indicated that he would vote against the government funding measure that Trump was urging Republicans to support. Massie expressed his skepticism about the effectiveness of delaying decisions and stood firm in his decision to vote no on the measure.

Senator Mike Lee came to Massie’s defense in response to Trump’s attack, praising Massie for his efforts to control federal spending. Lee emphasized that Massie’s decision to vote differently on certain matters was based on valid reasons and expressed his support for the congressman.

Despite Trump’s criticism, the House Freedom Caucus received appreciation from the former president for their support of the funding measure. Trump thanked the caucus for opposing the Radical Left Democrats and their agenda, before turning his attention back to Massie.

In a previous social media post, Massie had already hinted at his resilience against potential primary challengers, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and principles over blind allegiance. Massie’s history with Trump has been tumultuous, with the former president calling for him to be expelled from the GOP in 2020, only to endorse him in the 2022 primary.

Massie has not yet responded to Trump’s latest remarks, but he has shown in the past that he will not be swayed by attempts to control his voting decisions through threats of primary challenges. Despite their rocky relationship, Massie and Trump have had moments of alignment, such as Massie’s endorsement of Trump in the 2024 general election.

The ongoing tensions between Trump and Massie highlight the divisions within the Republican Party and the challenges faced by lawmakers who prioritize principles over party loyalty. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Massie’s unwavering stance on key issues and his refusal to conform to external pressures may prove to be a defining factor in his political career.