Trump vows to ‘lead the charge’ to oust Massie
President Trump is vowing to "lead the charge" to unseat Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.), who has said he will not support the GOP's short-term government funding bill ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline.
Trump began a Truth Social post late Monday night by thanking the House Freedom Caucus for backing the stopgap funding package and supporting Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) efforts to keep the government open, and then called on Massie to be primaried.
“Thank you to the House Freedom Caucus for just delivering a big blow to the Radical Left Democrats and their desire to raise Taxes and SHUT OUR COUNTRY DOWN! They hate America and all it stands for. That’s why they allowed MILLIONS of Criminals to invade our Nation. Sometimes it takes great courage to do the right thing. Congressman Thomas Massie, of beautiful Kentucky, is an automatic 'NO' vote on just about everything, despite the fact that he has always voted for Continuing Resolutions in the past. HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him,” Trump said.
The president then compared Massie to former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who served on the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and was censured by the Republican National Committee. Trump endorsed Cheney’s successful primary challenger in the 2022 race.
“He’s just another GRANDSTANDER, who’s too much trouble, and not worth the fight. He reminds me of Liz Chaney before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!). The people of Kentucky won’t stand for it, just watch. DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS??? Anyway, thank you again to the House Freedom Caucus for your very important vote. We need to buy some time in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. Unite and Win!!!” Trump said.
Massie has frequently bucked his party on fiscal matters and has cast doubt on passing the continuing resolution to keep the government funded until the end of the fiscal year.
"Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my re-election. Guess what? Doesn’t work on me," Massie said on the social platform X before Trump's post.
"Three times I’ve had a challenger who tried to be more MAGA than me," Massie added. "None busted 25% because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance.
The president also attacked Massie in 2020, when he called him a “third rate Grandstander” on X and called on him to be thrown out of the Republican Party.
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