Trump asks to vote against Thomas Massie in Kentucky and the internal Republican war intensifies
Trump sent a harsh message against the legislator, with whom he has had a conflictive relationship for years
Donald Trump intensified his offensive against Republican Congressman Thomas Massie on Monday by publicly asking Kentucky voters to defeat him in the Republican primaries to be held this Tuesday.
Through his social network Truth Social, Trump launched a harsh message against the legislator, with whom he has had a conflictive relationship since his first presidential term.
"The worst congressman in the long and glorious history of the Republican Party is Thomas Massie. He is an obstructionist and a fool. Vote to impeach him tomorrow, Tuesday. It will be a great day for America!" wrote the president.
The dispute between the two has worsened during Trump's second term due to Massie's repeated differences with the presidential agenda. The Kentucky congressman was one of only two Republicans to vote against the so-called “big, beautiful bill,” the main tax and budget initiative promoted by Trump.
Massie also generated tensions within the ruling party by co-sponsoring with Democrat Ro Khanna a legislative proposal to force the Department of Justice to publish within 30 days all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Trump was initially opposed to that initiative.
The Republican race in Kentucky has become a key test of Trump's political control over the conservative bases and, according to various American media, it is already considered the most expensive primary for the House of Representatives in the history of the country, with more than 32 million dollars invested between campaigns and advertising.
The president endorses former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who is challenging Massie in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District. The campaign has taken on a national dimension due to Trump's attempts to punish Republicans who deviate from his political line.
As part of that effort, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will participate in campaign events for Gallrein this Tuesday. During a rally in Hebron, Kentucky, Hegseth claimed that “President Trump needs reinforcements” in Washington and criticized Massie for “weakening his own side” at key moments.
Despite pressure from Trump, Massie maintains support among libertarian conservative sectors and defenders of limited public spending. The congressman has defended his political independence and assures that he will continue to vote “according to his principles,” even when that means confronting the president.