Trump Launches Effort to Oust Thomas Massie,
Who Opposed Iran Intervention and Other Policies
Trump: "Massie is Not MAGA" as Intra-Party Feud Escalates
There have been claims that President Donald Trump has launched efforts to oust a Republican congressman who opposes him. According to Yonhap News on June 22 (local time), citing the U.S. online media outlet Axios, "Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio, political advisors to President Trump, have launched a super PAC (political fundraising committee) targeting Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky."
According to Yonhap News, the super PAC named "Kentucky MAGA," which includes the acronym for Trump's supporter group MAGA (Make America Great Again), is set to operate with the goal of blocking Congressman Massie from running in next May's general election. The plan is to foster a pro-Trump challenger in Kentucky's 4th congressional district, Massie's constituency, and defeat him in the Republican primary.
Congressman Massie has long had a contentious relationship with President Trump. Most recently, he opposed U.S. military action against Iran and, together with Democratic lawmakers, introduced a "War Powers Resolution" requiring President Trump to seek congressional approval before attacking Iran. After President Trump carried out airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, Massie criticized the move on social media, stating, "This is not constitutional."
In a CNN interview that day, Massie said, "President Trump will not run in 2026, but his actions in Iran will divide the Republican Party," adding, "This will be a major blow to us in the midterm elections. We could lose our majority over this single issue." He continued, "If people become disillusioned, apathetic, and stay home from the polls, the Democrats could regain the majority and pursue impeachment," and pointed out, "This decision is bad politically, legally, constitutionally, and in terms of policy."
He further stated, "President Trump has clearly broken his campaign promise by intervening in Iran," and added, "While Republican supporters might agree with the claim that he broke his promise, Republican lawmakers are afraid to criticize Trump due to his and Israel's lobbying influence."
In response to these claims, President Trump said on social media, "Congressman Massie is not MAGA," and described him as "a negative force who almost always votes no, no matter how good something is." He added, "The good news is that an outstanding American patriot will face Massie in the Republican primary, and I will campaign hard in Kentucky," signaling his intention to work to unseat him.
Previously, Congressman Massie also opposed President Trump's large-scale tax cut bill, which was dubbed "one big, beautiful bill." It is known that only two Republican House members voted against it. At the time, President Trump stated, "Massie should be ousted." Massie also opposed President Trump's COVID-19 policies during the first Trump administration in 2020. In response, President Trump said, "I want him out of the Republican Party."
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