A Kentucky congressman who has frequently opposed U.S. President Donald Trump described the president’s weekend social media offensive as a “desperate” strategy to boost his primary opponent ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican who has challenged Trump on significant congressional votes including Iran war measures and has spearheaded efforts within his party to make public government documents related to deceased financier and sex crime convict Jeffrey Epstein, faces Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein in the primary race.
Gallrein, a former U.S. Navy SEAL personally selected by the president, is running against Massie in a contest where polling data shows mixed results – some surveys indicate Massie maintains an advantage while others suggest Gallrein leads.
The president launched at least four social media assaults against Massie over the weekend, culminating Sunday with Trump labeling Massie “The Worst Republican Congressman in History” and calling him “a true negative force!!!”
Trump also targeted Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, on Saturday for backing Massie, stating he would support a primary opponent against her.
The president’s strategy of targeting Republicans who oppose him has proven effective in recent contests. Two-term Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy was defeated in Louisiana’s primary election on Saturday.
However, Massie represents a fresh challenge to Trump’s influence within the Republican Party. During a Sunday interview on ABC’s This Week, Massie revealed that his campaign receives increased donations whenever Trump references him on social media, and suggested the president appears “desperate” to eliminate him from office.
