Trump vows to oust Rep. Massie for defying GOP leadership, reigniting tensions within the party

President Donald Trump has set his sights on purging the Republican Party of its latest “disloyal” member—Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). On Monday, Trump vowed to “lead the charge” in unseating Massie, who has repeatedly defied GOP leadership on critical votes, including government funding bills.

Trump’s outburst came after Massie refused to support a Republican-backed spending measure, a move that infuriated House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and further destabilised the party’s razor-thin majority. The Kentucky congressman, a staunch libertarian known for his uncompromising fiscal stance, has frequently opposed bills that fail to cut government spending—a position that has made him a headache for both Trump and the GOP establishment.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump lambasted Massie as an “automatic ‘NO’ vote on just about everything” and declared that the congressman “SHOULD BE PRIMARIED.” In a blistering attack, Trump even compared Massie to his longtime Republican nemesis, former Rep. Liz Cheney, whom he helped drive out of office for her role in the January 6th investigation.

Despite Trump’s threats, Massie showed no signs of backing down. The Kentucky lawmaker, who has fended off primary challenges before, dismissed Trump’s attack as political theatre.

“Three times I’ve had a challenger who tried to be more MAGA than me,” Massie posted on X (formerly Twitter). “None busted 25% because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance.”

Massie’s defiance underscores the deepening fractures within the GOP, as Trump’s grip over the party continues to be tested by ideological hardliners unwilling to rubber-stamp his agenda.

With the House GOP operating on a razor-thin majority, every vote counts—and Massie’s repeated defections have turned him into a major problem for Speaker Johnson.

Since the beginning of the year, Massie has consistently refused to toe the party line. He declined to support Johnson’s election as Speaker in January and later voted against the Republican budget bill, throwing the party’s legislative efforts into chaos.

His latest rebellion—opposing a short-term government funding measure—has only escalated tensions. Massie has argued that the bill fails to cut spending enough and instead locks in federal funding at 2024 levels, undermining the budget reductions sought by conservative hardliners.

This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to oust Massie, but previous efforts have failed. The Kentucky congressman has remained a fixture in Washington, relying on strong grassroots support and his reputation for ideological consistency.

However, with Trump now actively targeting him, Massie faces his most formidable challenge yet. The president’s influence in GOP primaries remains unmatched, and a well-funded, Trump-endorsed challenger could make this race a serious fight.

For now, Massie remains defiant—but with Trump mobilising his base against him, his seat in Congress may not be as secure as it once seemed.