Trump Backs $33 Million Bid to Oust Massie in Kentucky Primary
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 19
Trump Backs $33 Million Bid to Oust Massie in Kentucky Primary
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 19
Trump intensified his push against Representative Thomas Massie on Tuesday, calling him “a terrible congressman” and publicly backing challenger Ed Gallrein in Kentucky’s Republican primary.
Massie has drawn Trump’s ire by breaking with him on the Epstein files and the war with Iran, making the race a test of whether a prominent Republican dissenter can survive.
Nearly $33 million has flowed into the contest, according to AdImpact, making it the most expensive congressional primary on record and one of Tuesday’s highest-profile races.
The Kentucky fight comes as Trump weighs in across multiple primaries, even as a New York Times/Siena poll put his approval rating at 37%, a second-term low.
When a single primary costs $33 million, are voter concerns being drowned out by super PACs and billionaires?
As crypto's millions flood into politics, what future financial regulations are being decided in these primary races?
With AI deepfakes now in campaign ads, can new state laws prevent widespread voter deception?
Record-Breaking $30 Million GOP Primary in Kentucky: Trump’s Influence, Outside Money, and the Future of the Republican Party
Overview
The Republican primary for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District on May 19, 2026, has become the most expensive House primary in U.S. history, with spending exceeding $30 million. This unprecedented financial outlay has drawn intense national attention, turning the race into a crucial test of former President Donald Trump's influence within the Republican Party. The contest features incumbent Thomas Massie, known for his independent streak, facing challenger Eric Gallrein, who has secured Trump's endorsement. The outcome will signal whether local independence or national endorsements hold more sway in shaping the future direction of the Republican Party.