Congressional Republicans and 2026 Primaries

During Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast, President Donald Trump publicly attacked Rep. Thomas Massie, R‑Ky., calling him a 'moron,' an 'automatic no' on GOP measures and 'Rand Paul Jr.,' then followed up with a Truth Social post accusing Massie of disloyalty and blaming his new wife for a supposed ideological shift. Trump is endorsing Republican Ed Gallrein, a farmer and former Navy officer, in a primary challenge to Massie in Kentucky’s 4th District, portraying him as the 'high quality' alternative. Massie responded on X that he votes with House Republicans 91% of the time but opposes them on the 9% of votes he says 'bankrupt' the country, start wars or 'cover up for pedophiles,' and argued he is still fighting for Trump’s original promises on spending, foreign aid and civil liberties. He also pushed back on Trump’s attack on his wife, saying she voted for Trump three times and was the one who urged him to press Attorney General Pam Bondi for 'Phase 2' of the Epstein files, after which, he noted pointedly, Bondi said there were no more records. The exchange highlights a widening rift between Trump and some libertarian‑leaning Republicans over spending, surveillance and foreign policy, and shows Trump willing to use prayer‑breakfast and social‑media platforms to punish GOP incumbents who cross him.