By Emmanuel Bobby
Rep. Thomas Massie believes many Republicans in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District remain more committed to the ideas of Trumpism than to the political demands of Donald Trump himself.
“People support Trump, but they also support what he campaigned on,” Massie said during a phone interview Tuesday. “When people support me, they’re supporting the things that Donald Trump campaigned on actually getting done. And when they support Donald Trump, they’re supporting the man they voted for in the last election.”
That argument faces a significant test as Trump travels to Hebron, Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati, escalating a long-running feud with Massie in the congressman’s own district.
Trump, who has publicly called Massie a “moron,” a “lightweight” and a “loser,” has endorsed Massie’s primary challenger, farmer and former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein. A Trump-aligned super PAC, MAGA KY, has spent about $2.6 million on advertising in the race, according to political ad tracking data. When spending from other outside groups is included, nearly $5 million has been directed toward boosting Gallrein and attacking Massie.
Trump Visit Raises Political Stakes
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt avoided labeling the trip as a political event when asked why Trump planned stops in both Ohio and Kentucky.
“Why not?” Leavitt said. “The president will be joined by lawmakers from both states who he greatly admires and respects and supports. And he’ll be meeting with business owners and discussing the economy, which is of utmost importance to him.”
Massie, however, views Trump’s appearance as a clear effort to help revive Gallrein’s campaign.
“My opponent is running a Joe Biden-type campaign from the basement — refuses to debate and won’t show up at public forums,” Massie said. “I think the president is coming to try and resuscitate and prop up his campaign.”
An adviser to Gallrein’s campaign said Trump personally encouraged Gallrein to run and is now committed to helping him win.
“The president’s presence will galvanize his supporters for this race,” the adviser said, arguing that Massie has become an obstacle to Trump’s legislative agenda.
“You have a district that voted overwhelmingly for the president, and they see Massie increasingly as an impediment to Trump,” the adviser added.
Trump’s Endorsement Still Powerful
Trump’s endorsement has remained one of the most influential forces in Republican politics for more than a decade. Many candidates who have opposed him or failed to secure his backing have struggled in primary elections.
Recently, Rep. Dan Crenshaw lost his renomination fight after being the only Republican in Texas’ House delegation without Trump’s endorsement. Meanwhile, Republicans are closely watching Trump’s decision in the Texas Senate race involving John Cornyn and Ken Paxton.
Historically, Republicans who openly defied Trump often faced consequences. Of the 10 GOP House members who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6 Capitol Attack, only two survived their 2022 primaries. Just one — David Valadao — remains in Congress.
Policy Disputes Fuel the Feud
Massie’s relationship with Trump has deteriorated over several policy fights during the president’s second term.
Massie was one of only two Republicans who voted against Trump’s signature legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which included sweeping tax cuts, funding to complete a wall along the U.S.–Mexico border, and a ban on federal funding for transgender surgeries for minors.
A longtime fiscal conservative, Massie opposed the bill because projections suggested it could add up to $4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
He also introduced a resolution that would have required congressional approval before Trump could continue using military force against Iran. Massie argued that the measure was consistent with Trump’s earlier campaign promise to start “no new wars.”
In addition, Massie pushed for the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, another issue that created tension with the administration.
Outside Groups Enter the Race
Gallrein’s campaign has also benefited from support by hard-line pro-Israel donors and political groups determined to defeat Massie.
Some advertisements attempt to portray Massie as sympathetic to Iran. One ad shows Gallrein in the Oval Office with Trump and tells voters they must choose between “Gallrein and Trump” or Massie, whom it claims “stands with Iran.” The ad includes images of Massie alongside the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as well as Democratic lawmakers Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.
Massie argues the race has broader implications beyond his own political future.
“If I can win this fight, it shows that we still have a republic — that the legislature doesn’t work for the executive branch,” he said. “It could embolden other members of Congress who currently believe what I’m doing is right but are afraid to contradict the president.”
Competing Claims to Trump’s Legacy
At the same time, Massie is trying to counter Gallrein’s claim of being the true Trump ally.
In a new campaign ad released ahead of Trump’s visit, Massie highlights voter registration records suggesting Gallrein temporarily left the Republican Party around 2016, when Trump secured the GOP nomination, registering as an independent before returning to the party in 2021. The ad begins with a photograph of Massie and Trump standing together and giving thumbs-up gestures.
Gallrein responded by saying his brief departure from the party was not meant as a rejection of Trump.
“I was proud to vote for President Trump all three times and donate in 2020 and 2024,” Gallrein said in a statement, adding that Massie “sides with Democrats to vote against President Trump every week in Congress.”
Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz mocked the situation online, noting that both candidates are using Trump in their campaign ads despite the political feud.
“Dang,” Gaetz wrote in a post reacting to Massie’s commercial. “Two people who don’t like Trump are both hugging Trump in their ads.”
But as the race intensifies, Trump has made clear that his support lies with Gallrein.
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