President Donald Trump came to Ed Gallrein’s defense on Wednesday after Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) knocked his Republican primary opponent for trading his party label to become an independent in 2016.
In a new ad campaign that started airing on Wednesday, Massie suggested Gallrein’s voter registration records prove he hasn’t always affiliated himself with Trump. Gallrein changed his registration from Republican to independent in May 2016 after Trump became the presumptive GOP nominee for president, according to records obtained by Massie’s campaign.
Trump said it wasn’t a big deal that Gallrein left the Republican Party almost a decade ago.
HERE ARE THE MIDTERM RACES THAT ARE ACTUALLY COMPETITIVE
“The fact is, many people do that, but Ed still supported me, and strongly, which is far more than Massie ever did, or does,” he posted on Truth Social.
Furthermore, Trump pointed out that Gallrein rejoined the Republican Party in June 2021 after Joe Biden became president.
“Ed came back into the Party after he saw the Strength and ‘Wisdom’ that I displayed,” he wrote. “Many people have joined, and rejoined, our Party, but Massie did not, because he only votes, ‘NO!’”
Massie is still considered a Republican, even though he has consistently bucked the White House on several bills.
In the post, Trump wondered whether Massie would ultimately support the SAVE America Act. The legislation, which would require identification and proof of citizenship for voters, remains stalled in the Senate following its passage in the House last month.
TRUMP ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE’S WHO THE PRESIDENT HAS PICKED IN GOP MIDTERM ELECTION PRIMARIES
At the time, Massie voted in favor of the SAVE America Act but opposed a procedural rule in the legislation. The congressman had to clarify on social media that he supported the bill.
“He’d like to vote, ‘NO,’ but on this one, there may be too much pressure, even on him, to do that,” Trump claimed.
The president first endorsed Gallrein in October and has reiterated his support for the former Navy SEAL operative.
Gallrein is the only serious primary contender to challenge Massie for his seat in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. The state’s primary election is set for May 19.
HERE’S WHERE HOUSE AND SENATE RETIREMENTS STAND IN 2026
Until then, Trump is expected to ramp up the pressure on Massie as he visits the lawmaker’s congressional district on Wednesday afternoon. Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech at 4:30 p.m. in Hebron, Kentucky, where he will likely rail against Massie and praise Gallrein.
“He is disloyal to the Republican Party, the People of Kentucky and, most importantly, he is disloyal to the United States of America,” Trump said of Massie ahead of his speech. “He is a MISFIT, who should be voted out of Office, ASAP.”