Trump-backed Gallrein defeats Massie in Kentucky GOP primary

Trump-backed Republican Ed Gallrein declared victory Tuesday after defeating longtime Rep. Thomas Massie in a Kentucky GOP primary upset.

Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and Kentucky dairy farmer, secured roughly 55 percent of the vote to Massie’s 45 percent in the 4th Congressional District.

“It was a David versus Goliath. I was the underdog,” Gallrein told Sean Hannity after the race was called.

“I want to thank the president. I want to thank the conservative Republicans from this district and my supporters and team because it sends a message that we the people are going to stand up.”

Voters delivered their verdict late Tuesday in a race viewed as a referendum on loyalty to President Donald Trump and his agenda.

The upset follows incumbent Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy’s primary loss to Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow, another sign that Republican voters are siding with candidates aligned with the president.

Massie repeatedly broke with Trump and became a top target for MAGA allies after opposing key parts of the president’s agenda and clashing with House GOP leaders.

Trump repeatedly lashed out at Massie in personal terms in the final days of the primary.

“We’d have to get the coffee out to run through his entire record of betrayal for the district, our party and our nation,” Gallrein said of his opponent.

“Simply put... he went to Washington, and he burned every bridge, he burned a bridge factory, he ran off everybody that would build a bridge to the conservative Republicans... All that to say, it’s a new day, these people deserve better, and I’m gonna give it to them.”

Massie was one of two Republicans to vote against the president’s spending package, arguing it would add trillions to the national deficit. He also helped push the legislative effort to release the Epstein files despite initial White House objections.

While many Trump allies welcomed the outcome, other Republicans expressed dismay.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X that she was proud to have served with Massie, calling him “a giant among weak pathetic men.”

“Releasing the Epstein files was our demise. But it was worth every single bit because now everyone knows the truth,” she wrote. “You are ruled by the Epstein class that cares nothing about you, and your elected leaders are bought and controlled by a foreign lobby.”