Trump Tears Into Republican
President Donald Trump delivered pointed criticism of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Thursday, calling out the Kentucky Republican for consistently opposing GOP-backed legislation — even when it advances core conservative priorities.
Speaking to a room filled with faith leaders, lawmakers, and political figures, President Trump said Massie has developed a reputation in Congress as an automatic “no” vote, regardless of the substance or importance of the bill.
According to Trump, Massie’s opposition remains unchanged even when legislation focuses on issues long championed by conservatives, including welfare reform, religious freedom, and government accountability.
The president explained that Republican leadership has worked to consolidate major policy goals into unified legislative packages designed to attract near-universal GOP support. Yet, Trump said, there is always one predictable exception.
Trump remarked that while most Republicans fall in line to support the party’s agenda, Massie routinely breaks ranks — a pattern the president compared to the voting behavior of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), another lawmaker known for opposing Republican-led initiatives.
Massie has emerged as one of the most outspoken internal critics of President Trump within the Republican Party. Since Trump returned to the White House, the Kentucky congressman has repeatedly clashed with GOP leadership, positioning himself against administration-backed legislation and key conservative policy efforts.
Over the past year, Massie has drawn attention for pushing to release government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and for voting against the GOP’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping legislative package supported by President Trump and Republican leadership last summer.
Frustrated by Massie’s continued resistance, President Trump has publicly endorsed Massie’s Republican primary challenger, Ed Gallrein — a retired Navy SEAL officer with a background in national security and military leadership. Trump has encouraged Gallrein to run as part of a broader effort to support Republican candidates he views as committed to advancing the party’s agenda and delivering results for conservative voters.
The growing rift highlights ongoing tensions within the GOP as President Trump continues to push for unity, loyalty, and legislative momentum while confronting lawmakers he believes are obstructing progress from within the party.
