President Donald J. Trump reportedly sharply escalated his feud with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky this week, denouncing the Republican lawmaker as a “weak and pathetic RINO” and calling on voters to replace him with a combat veteran and businessman he described as a “true America First Patriot.”
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Mr. Trump lashed out at Massie — one of the most libertarian members of the House Republican Conference — and threw his full support behind Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and fifth-generation Kentucky farmer Captain Ed Gallrein. The president praised Gallrein as the kind of candidate who would strengthen the party’s pro-Trump wing and “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
“Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP!” Mr. Trump wrote. “The incredible people of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District gave us a mandate to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person that will help us do that is Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Fifth Generation Kentucky Farmer, Captain Ed Gallrein, a true America First Patriot.”
Trump’s endorsement highlighted Gallrein’s record as both a decorated military officer and a successful entrepreneur. “A Brave Combat Veteran, Ed knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Defend our Country, Support our Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Trump wrote. He described Gallrein as a candidate grounded in conservative economics and national security priorities: “As a very successful Businessman, Ed knows how to Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Support our Amazing Farmers and American Agriculture, Unleash American Energy Dominance, and Champion our Nation’s Golden Age.”
The post doubled as a broadside against Massie, whose independent streak has long frustrated Republican leadership. “He only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left,” Trump said, accusing the congressman of undercutting GOP unity. “Unlike ‘lightweight’ Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.”
Trump went on to claim that Massie is “polling at about 9%,” adding that “the Great People of Kentucky are wise to him.” The message was clear: Trump wants Massie gone, and he wants Gallrein to take his place. “Should he decide to challenge Massie,” the president wrote, “Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, ED, RUN — MAGA!”
The post included a photograph of Trump and Gallrein posing together in the Oval Office, both wearing red MAGA hats — a symbolic passing of the torch from the leader of the movement to a new generation of “America First” conservatives.
The endorsement sets up what could become one of the most closely watched intraparty battles of the election cycle, pitting a hardline libertarian against a military veteran aligned tightly with Trump’s populist brand.
In Trump’s telling, the choice is simple: loyalty to the MAGA agenda or allegiance to what he views as Washington’s entrenched establishment.
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