Thomas Massie has lost the Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein, according to multiple major news outlets. The race was widely viewed as a test of Donald Trump’s influence over the Republican Party and his effort to unseat internal critics.
Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican who had represented the district since 2012, frequently broke with Trump and GOP leadership on issues including federal spending, military action, and the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files. Trump publicly targeted him for months and endorsed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and farmer.
The primary became one of the most expensive House races in U.S. history, with reports estimating more than $30 million spent by campaigns and outside groups.
Reuters, AP, and other outlets described the result as another sign of Trump’s continued dominance within the GOP and the political risks faced by Republicans who openly oppose him.
