One of the reasons Trump has exercised an iron fist over the Republican Party is his ability to end political careers by prioritizing Republicans who oppose him.
House Republicans, in particular, were terrified of ending up like Liz Cheney, who opposed Trump by serving on the 1/6 Select Committee, so Trump backed a primary challenge and Cheney lost her seat.
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The possibility of being Cheneyed is why House Republicans almost universally fall in line when it comes to Trump, which makes what’s happening in Kentucky with Rep. Thomas Massie such an important turning point.
Trump is determined to make an example of Massie after co-sponsoring the campaign to leak the Epstein files. Massie will never be mistaken for a Democrat or progressive, but he has taken a principled, independent and consistent position that Epstein survivors deserve justice.
Trump has repeatedly posted his support for Massie’s primary opponent, Ed Gallrein, including less than a month ago when he wrote:
The Republican Party’s worst “Congressman”, Thomas Massie, attacks BIG Navy Seal hero Ed Gallrein, who is running against him in the Primary, claiming that Ed went independent for a while, a long time ago. The thing is, a lot of people do that, but Ed has always supported me, and strongly, which is way more than Massie ever did or does. Ed returned to the Party after seeing the strength and “wisdom” I displayed. Many people have joined and rejoined our party, but Massie has not, because he simply votes “NO!” »
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He would like to vote “NO,” but on this one there may be too much pressure, even on him, to do so. Thomas Massie, sometimes called Rand Paul Jr. because he only votes “NO”, is A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER as a Congressman and as a human being. He is disloyal to the Republican Party, the people of Kentucky, and most importantly, he is disloyal to the United States of America! He is a MISFIT, who should be removed from office ASAP. VOTE FOR ED GALLREIN, A MAN WHO HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. HE’S A TRUE AMERICAN HERO!
However, a new poll shows Massie beating Trump, but it’s the reason Massie is winning that indicates MAGA is dying.