Thomas Massie faces the question confronting other Republicans who crossed Trump: What now?
Over the next seven months, Representative Thomas Massie He’ll have something that not even President Donald Trump can take away: his seat in Congress.
The question is what happens next.
While Massie became the latest Republican to be added to Trump’s growing list of revenge and punishment, his concession speech in Kentucky on Tuesday night didn’t sound much different. He delivered a forward-looking message to his supporters, appearing more energized than sad.
“What started as an election has turned into a movement,” Massie said. “We’ve mixed things up. There’s a longing in this country for someone who will vote for principles rather than party.”
The message of optimism and defiance sets the stage for the next chapter of Massie’s political life. The congress term ends in January. Their loyal fans made it clear that they had bigger things on their minds.
Someone in the crowd shouted “Massie for President!” he shouted. his supporters received a huge round of applause. Massie smiled and laughed on stage and loudly shouted “2028!” He continued to give a speech that was repeatedly interrupted by slogans.
Of course, it’s too early for Massie to convincingly sell the idea of a presidential campaign. Such an idea raises many questions, perhaps starting with: Which party will he run for after suffering such a convincing defeat against Ed Gallrein in the congressional primary on Tuesday?
Trump heard it loud and clear on Capitol Hill
Massie’s loss was the latest in a series of setbacks for Republicans challenging Trump.
Just this month five Indiana state senators lost seats in the primaries because they refused to redraw their state’s map of the U.S. House of Representatives, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy Five years after voting to convict Trump during his second impeachment, the GOP failed to make a runoff and Texas Senator John Cornyn Trump lost support to his longtime rival, State Attorney General Ken Paxton, a move that all but sealed his defeat in next week’s primary runoff elections.
Sen. Bill Cassidy hugs a supporter after conceding the primary race in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 16. – Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
GOP Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee said Tuesday’s results show Trump is sending a clear message: “He’s going to beat you.”
Another lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the Kentucky result, suggested Massie had “learned the hard way” that Trump was still the party’s “kingmaker.”
“After fighting the President tooth and nail to raise your profile and get attention on TV, you can’t put on a red hat and cheer for him when it’s convenient for you,” the lawmaker said.
Just last week, Rep. Mike Lawler confronted GOP Sen. Rand Paul’s son at a bar on Capitol Hill. According to Lawler, 33-year-old William Paul approached him and told him that if Massie lost the primary it would be “because of my people” and later confirmed that Paul thought he was Jewish. Lawler is Irish-Italian Catholic.
Lawler: “My people have spoken” Published on X Tuesday night. “Shalom @RepThomasMassie.”
Rand Paul, who has endorsed Massie and campaigned with him, declined to comment when approached by a reporter at a congressional picnic at the White House after the race was called in Kentucky.
‘I don’t know what to do’
Despite the defeat, Massie built a new donor list and energized an army of young supporters. While he had several successes in Congress, the release of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files drew widespread applause as he listed the names of those who died as a result of his legislation’s actions.
But a loss is a loss. And Massie returns to Washington as one of the latest political victims of Trump, who has a long experience of returning to his favorite punching bags again and again.
Rep. Thomas Massie kisses his wife, Carolyn Moffa, on Tuesday night. -Carolyn Kaster/AP
After his congressional term ends in early January, Massie faces a moment with no clear path for the first time in 14 years. At 55 years old, he is a relatively young name and has many followers.
“We have to figure out what the point of having the biggest fight ever – the biggest fight ever!” Massie said his race has become the most expensive House primary on record, with more than $30 million spent on advertising alone. “Why were they gathered in one of the 435 seats in Congress? What was God’s purpose? What was He showing us tonight?”
What Massie won’t do is nominate an independent candidate for the congressional seat, as some incumbents do when they lose primaries.
“Kentucky has tough laws for losers, so you can’t run as an independent in Kentucky,” Massie told CNN on the eve of the election. “I think that’s probably a good thing. If you fight and win the primary, then you shouldn’t have to fight the same person again.”
Looking ahead, he added: “I don’t know what to do.”
CNN’s Annie Grayer and Kit Maher contributed to this report.
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