President Donald Trump publicly threatened to withdraw his endorsement of Rep. Lauren Boebert and support a primary challenger, labeling the Colorado congresswoman a “carpetbagger” after she endorsed Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie in his re-election campaign.
Trump Calls Out Boebert’s District Switch
Writing on Truth Social, Trump questioned whether anyone would run against Boebert in Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District. He reminded voters that Boebert switched districts after facing a difficult re-election in her original Third District seat. The president called her support for Massie evidence of being “weak minded” and suggested she deserves a serious primary fight. Trump stated he would consider it an honor to withdraw his previous endorsement if the right alternative candidate emerged.
Massie Labeled Worst Republican Congressman
Trump escalated his criticism in a second Truth Social post targeting both Boebert and Sen. Rand Paul. He described them as difficult and unreasonable Republican votes who were campaigning in Kentucky for Massie. The president called Massie a “disloyal, ungracious, and sanctimonious fool” who rarely supports Republican values. Trump endorsed Massie’s challenger Ed Gallrein, describing him as a Kentucky farmer, military hero, and true patriot. The president urged voters to support Gallrein and remove what he called “the stench” of Massie from the party.
Kentucky Primary Race Remains Tight
The Kentucky Fourth Congressional District primary election takes place on Tuesday. Current polling shows the race between Massie and Gallrein as too close to call. Trump won Kentucky by 31 points in the previous election, making his endorsement potentially decisive in Republican primaries. Boebert defended both Trump and Massie in her own social media posts, calling them friends who love America and are fighting to save the country.
What This Means
The public feud highlights growing tensions within the Republican Party between establishment-aligned members and libertarian-leaning representatives. Massie has frequently voted against Republican leadership positions on spending bills and foreign policy measures. Boebert’s willingness to defy Trump’s opposition to Massie demonstrates the complex loyalties among House Republicans. Trump’s threat to revoke his endorsement represents a significant escalation, particularly given Boebert’s vulnerable political position after switching districts. The outcome of Tuesday’s Kentucky primary could signal whether Trump’s endorsements remain decisive in contested Republican races.