Another one bites the dust. The past few weeks had been billed as a retribution tour for Donald Trump, as he settles old scores with his critics within the Republican party. Call it what you will, but the evidence is now overwhelming that the Republican party is Trump's party, and nothing— not an unpopular war in Iran, not sagging poll numbers among the general public, not rising consumer prices, not concerns about billion-dollar White House ballrooms— has changed that.
Thomas Massie, the independent-minded congressman from Kentucky, was comfortably defeated on Tuesday in the Republican primary race to decide who goes forward to take on the Democrats in November's midterms. The Trump-backed candidate Ed Gallrein is heading towards a 55% share of the vote.
Republican rebel Massie, a constant thorn in Trump’s side, is just the latest in a political casualty count that is now stretching into double figures. His transgressions were many, including opposing Trump’s tax-and-spending budget package and efforts to curtail military operations in Venezuela and Iran. Perhaps most notably, Massie pushed for the release of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a move that did not sit well with Trump.
Massie's defeat joins him with other Republican critics like Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and several Indiana state legislators who have lost their positions after facing Trump-backed challengers. The outcome of Massie’s primary indicates Trump's solid grip on the party, as Gallrein largely relied on the former president's endorsement to carry him through the election.
As primary results indicate a revolving door of dismissed critics, one has to wonder what the consequences will be within the Republican ranks as they approach the midterms, especially in a climate where Trump's effectiveness and popularity among independents remains tenuous.
Thomas Massie, the independent-minded congressman from Kentucky, was comfortably defeated on Tuesday in the Republican primary race to decide who goes forward to take on the Democrats in November's midterms. The Trump-backed candidate Ed Gallrein is heading towards a 55% share of the vote.
Republican rebel Massie, a constant thorn in Trump’s side, is just the latest in a political casualty count that is now stretching into double figures. His transgressions were many, including opposing Trump’s tax-and-spending budget package and efforts to curtail military operations in Venezuela and Iran. Perhaps most notably, Massie pushed for the release of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a move that did not sit well with Trump.
Massie's defeat joins him with other Republican critics like Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and several Indiana state legislators who have lost their positions after facing Trump-backed challengers. The outcome of Massie’s primary indicates Trump's solid grip on the party, as Gallrein largely relied on the former president's endorsement to carry him through the election.
As primary results indicate a revolving door of dismissed critics, one has to wonder what the consequences will be within the Republican ranks as they approach the midterms, especially in a climate where Trump's effectiveness and popularity among independents remains tenuous.
