President Donald Trump isn’t holding back against Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., making it crystal clear that he’s ready to “lead the charge” against the congressman in a Republican primary.
In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump blasted Massie as a habitual “NO” vote and likened him to former Rep. Liz Cheney, whose anti-Trump stance led to her political downfall, as Fox News reported.

“Congressman Thomas Massie, of beautiful Kentucky, is an automatic “NO” vote on just about everything, despite the fact that he has always voted for Continuing Resolutions in the past. HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him. He’s just another GRANDSTANDER, who’s too much trouble, and not worth the fight. He reminds me of Liz Chaney before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!). The people of Kentucky won’t stand for it, just watch. DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS???”
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Trump’s comparison to Cheney is no minor insult. The former Wyoming congresswoman, who was one of the 10 House Republicans to vote for Trump’s impeachment, suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2022 GOP primary, losing to Trump-backed Harriet Hageman.
Since then, Cheney has taken her anti-Trump crusade to new extremes, even endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

Massie, for his part, isn’t backing down. Rather than retreat, he’s using Trump’s attack as a rallying cry for his re-election campaign. On X, Massie called on supporters to contribute, framing himself as a principled voice against Washington’s status quo.
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“Why don’t more Representatives stand on principle? Because telling the truth can get you in hot water. I’m going to need your help. I will run again because we need at least one person in Congress who won’t cave. Can you show support by contributing now?” he posted, linking to a donation page alongside a screenshot of Trump’s statement.

This latest clash comes amid a high-stakes battle over government funding. With a partial shutdown looming, Massie has made it clear he won’t back the stopgap measure that Trump has urged Republicans to support.
“Unless I get a lobotomy Monday that causes me to forget what I’ve witnessed the past 12 years, I’ll be a NO on the CR this week. It amazes me that my colleagues and many of the public fall for the lie that we will fight another day.”

While Trump is calling for Massie’s removal, not everyone in the conservative movement is on board. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, voiced strong support for Massie, praising his efforts to rein in government spending.
“I have nothing but profound respect for @RepThomasMassie, who has worked harder than perhaps any member of Congress to bring federal spending under control,” Lee wrote. “He might vote differently on this matter than most, but if he does so, he’ll have a really good reason. I’m a huge fan.”
Trump’s rebuke of Massie was sandwiched in a post celebrating the House Freedom Caucus for blocking the Democrats’ tax-and-spend agenda.
“Thank you to the House Freedom Caucus for just delivering a big blow to the Radical Left Democrats and their desire to raise Taxes and SHUT OUR COUNTRY DOWN! They hate America and all it stands for. That’s why they allowed MILLIONS of Criminals to invade our Nation. Sometimes it takes great courage to do the right thing.”
Trump wrapped up by reiterating his commitment to keeping the country on track:
“Anyway, thank you again to the House Freedom Caucus for your very important vote. We need to buy some time in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. Unite and Win!!!”
Massie, however, appears unfazed by Trump’s threat. He signaled his confidence in facing a primary challenge, pointing out that past efforts to oust him have failed.
“Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my re-election. Guess what? Doesn’t work on me. Three times I’ve had a challenger who tried to be more MAGA than me. None busted 25% because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance,” he wrote.

Image Credit: Thomas Massie – X Screenshot
The tension between Trump and Massie isn’t new. In 2020, Trump called for Massie’s expulsion from the GOP after the congressman opposed a pandemic relief bill, dismissing him as a “third-rate Grandstander” who “just wants the publicity.”
Trump was furious that Massie threatened to delay the bill, calling it “dangerous” and urging Republicans to “throw Massie out of the Republican Party!”
Despite Trump’s attacks, Massie cruised to victory in that primary and won again in 2022—ironically with Trump’s endorsement. But things soured again last year when Massie backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president.
After DeSantis dropped out and endorsed Trump, Massie followed suit—though only weeks before the general election.
Now, with Trump once again at the helm of the GOP and gearing up for a second term in the White House, Massie’s future in the party is in question.
Will Kentucky voters stand by their congressman, or will they rally behind a Trump-backed challenger? As always, the MAGA movement doesn’t tolerate disloyalty for long.