Donald Trump Calls for Key Republican Congressman to Be Primaried

President Donald Trump ripped into Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky on Monday night over opposition to a bill to continue funding the U.S. government.

Newsweek reached out for comment to Massie’s office via email late Monday night.

Why It Matters

Republicans are attempting to pass a Trump-endorsed “clean” temporary funding bill, or continuing resolution (CR), before a government shutdown deadline of March 14. Massie, a staunch fiscal conservative, has a history of opposing his party on some key votes.

What To Know

Despite Trump’s wishes, Massie has repeatedly refused to back a CR to fund the government. In a post on Sunday night to X, formerly Twitter, the GOP congressman asserted that he would “be a NO on the CR this week” unless he gets “a lobotomy Monday that causes me to forget what I’ve witnessed the past 12 years.”

“It amazes me that my colleagues and many of the public fall for the lie that we will fight another day,” he added.

In a post to Truth Social on Monday night, Trump praised the conservative House Freedom Caucus for endorsing the CR hours earlier before taking a swipe at Massie and threatening to support a campaign against him in 2026 for continuing to refuse to back the bill.

“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!” Trump wrote. “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. 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,”the president continued. “He’s just another GRANDSTANDER, who’s too much trouble, and not worth the fight. He reminds me of Liz Chaney [sic] before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!). The people of Kentucky won’t stand for it, just watch. DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS??? 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!!!”

What People Are Saying

Massie, responding on Monday to a comment of “tick tock” from former Trump 2024 campaign adviser Chris LaCivita on X: “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.”

The House Freedom Caucus, in a statement supporting the CR on Monday: “This bill will reduce and then freeze spending for the next six months to allow President Trump and his Administration to continue their critical work within the Executive Branch to find and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.”

What Happens Next

If the CR passes by Friday, the government will continue to be funded until at least September 30. If the bill fails, a shutdown will begin on Saturday.