Another one bites the dust. The past few weeks had been billed as a retribution tour for Donald Trump, as he settles old scores with critics within the Republican party. Call it what you will, but the evidence is now overwhelming that the Republican party is Trump's party and nothing— not an unpopular war in Iran, not sagging poll numbers among the general public, not rising consumer prices, not concerns about billion-dollar White House ballrooms—has changed that.
Thomas Massie, the independent-minded congressman from Kentucky, was comfortably defeated on Tuesday in the Republican primary race to decide who goes forward to take on the Democrats in November's midterms. The Trump-backed candidate Ed Gallrein is heading towards a 55% share of the vote.
Republican rebel Massie, a constant thorn in Trump's side, is just the latest in a political casualty count that is now stretching into double figures. His transgressions were numerous. He opposed Trump's tax-and-spending budget package last year because he said it drove up the federal deficit. He voted to curtail the president's military operations in Venezuela and Iran. And, perhaps most notably, he was the driving force behind efforts in the House of Representatives to force the release of Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein.
All this put Massie front and centre on Trump's enemies list—and led to a $20 million effort to oust him from the congressional perch he had occupied for more than a decade. “Trump once again proved his power in the Republican party,” said Trey Grayson, a two-time Republican secretary of state in Kentucky. He noted that Massie’s tendency to clash with local political leaders played a role in his downfall.
Gallrein, Massie's Trump-endorsed opponent, capitalized on the former president's backing, dominating the primary despite running a low-profile campaign. This win not only extends Trump's influence but also raises concerns for the Republican party's future, especially as the general election approaches. With significant losses among his critics, Trump's approach to consolidating power within the party could have lasting repercussions ahead of the midterms.
Thomas Massie, the independent-minded congressman from Kentucky, was comfortably defeated on Tuesday in the Republican primary race to decide who goes forward to take on the Democrats in November's midterms. The Trump-backed candidate Ed Gallrein is heading towards a 55% share of the vote.
Republican rebel Massie, a constant thorn in Trump's side, is just the latest in a political casualty count that is now stretching into double figures. His transgressions were numerous. He opposed Trump's tax-and-spending budget package last year because he said it drove up the federal deficit. He voted to curtail the president's military operations in Venezuela and Iran. And, perhaps most notably, he was the driving force behind efforts in the House of Representatives to force the release of Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein.
All this put Massie front and centre on Trump's enemies list—and led to a $20 million effort to oust him from the congressional perch he had occupied for more than a decade. “Trump once again proved his power in the Republican party,” said Trey Grayson, a two-time Republican secretary of state in Kentucky. He noted that Massie’s tendency to clash with local political leaders played a role in his downfall.
Gallrein, Massie's Trump-endorsed opponent, capitalized on the former president's backing, dominating the primary despite running a low-profile campaign. This win not only extends Trump's influence but also raises concerns for the Republican party's future, especially as the general election approaches. With significant losses among his critics, Trump's approach to consolidating power within the party could have lasting repercussions ahead of the midterms.
