GOP leaders have refused to support Rep. Thomas Massie’s reelection bid as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to oust him, with Speaker Mike Johnson criticizing Massie for undermining party unity. This development highlights the deepening rift within the Republican Party over loyalty and policy disagreements.
The feud between Massie and Trump has been building for months, rooted in ideological differences on government spending and transparency issues. Massie, a libertarian conservative from Kentucky, has consistently opposed Trump’s priorities, including the president’s signature domestic policy bill, which Massie argues exacerbates the national debt. His independent stance has long made him a maverick within the GOP, but recent actions have escalated tensions significantly.
A key point of contention is Massie’s push for the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which seeks to release government documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case. Massie has been working to force a House vote on this bill, despite strong opposition from the White House and GOP leadership. Speaker Johnson expressed frustration, stating that Massie is ‘actively working against his team almost daily’ and that party leaders would not intervene to protect him from Trump’s political attacks.
Trump and his advisers are actively plotting to support a primary challenger against Massie. The president has met with potential candidates, such as state Sen. Aaron Reed, and a pro-Trump super PAC called ‘MAGA Kentucky’ has reserved $1.6 million in ad buys to target Massie. Trump views Massie’s actions as disloyal and is determined to purge him from the party, reflecting his broader demand for unwavering support from Republicans.
Massie remains defiant and confident in his reelection prospects. He has brushed off the criticism, emphasizing that his focus is on issues like the Epstein files, which he believes have widespread public support. Massie accused Trump of attempting to protect allies and donors from embarrassment by obstructing the release of the files, and he criticized Johnson for rubber-stamping the president’s agenda without question.
Despite the lack of support from leadership, Massie has garnered backing from some conservative figures. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky praised Massie as a ‘man of principle’ for his stance against deficit spending, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has supported his efforts on the Epstein files. However, other Republicans, like Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, have expressed disappointment in the personal nature of the feud, wishing for a less confrontational approach.
The upcoming primary fight is expected to be intense and costly, mirroring previous Trump-targeted races such as the ouster of Rep. Bob Good in Virginia. Massie’s district in Northeastern Kentucky is known for its independence and conservatism, but Trump’s influence on the base could make Massie vulnerable if a strong challenger emerges. The outcome will test the limits of Trump’s control over the GOP and the party’s tolerance for internal dissent.
Looking ahead, the January candidate filing deadline will shape the race, with implications for GOP unity and strategy heading into the 2026 elections. The feud underscores broader tensions within the party between Trump loyalists and independent conservatives, potentially affecting legislative priorities and voter alignment in key districts.