Former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein has defeated longtime Congressman Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s Republican primary for the 4th Congressional District, according to NBC News projections, delivering another major political victory for President Donald Trump.
Massie’s defeat marks one of the most dramatic outcomes yet in Trump’s ongoing campaign to remove Republican lawmakers viewed as disloyal or obstructive to his political agenda. The Kentucky race became one of the most closely watched GOP primaries in the country after Trump aggressively targeted Massie for criticism over several high-profile disagreements.
First elected to Congress in 2012, Massie built a national reputation as a libertarian conservative and outspoken deficit hawk. However, his opposition to Trump’s proposed spending package, criticism of U.S. involvement in Iran, and support for releasing Justice Department files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein placed him increasingly at odds with Trump and MAGA loyalists.
Trump personally traveled to Kentucky earlier this year to endorse Gallrein and publicly attack Massie, calling the congressman a “disaster” for Republicans.
The race quickly evolved into a massive political and financial showdown fueled by pro-Trump organizations and outside conservative groups. MAGA KY, a super PAC led by Trump adviser Chris LaCivita, spent heavily attacking Massie over immigration, border security, and his refusal to fully support Trump’s legislative agenda.
Pro-Israel organizations linked to the Republican Jewish Coalition and American Israel Public Affairs Committee also poured millions into advertisements backing Gallrein.
According to AdImpact, more than $33 million was spent on advertising during the primary, with roughly $19 million dedicated to promoting Gallrein or attacking Massie.
Despite the mounting pressure, Massie defended his independence throughout the campaign, warning that many Republican voters were increasingly demanding absolute loyalty to Trump rather than constitutional independence from Congress.
“There’s a portion of the electorate who doesn’t believe that Congress should be independent,” Massie said during the campaign. “They believe that Congress should just do whatever the president wants.”
Gallrein largely stayed out of direct confrontation during the race, avoiding debates and public forums while relying heavily on Trump’s endorsement and support from conservative groups.
The contest also drew national attention after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared at a last-minute campaign event alongside Gallrein, an unusual move for a sitting defense secretary.
Massie’s loss follows several recent defeats for Republicans who publicly challenged Trump or opposed parts of his political agenda. In Louisiana, Senator Bill Cassidy recently failed to advance in his own re-election primary after years of tension with Trump following his impeachment vote related to the January 6 Capitol attack.
Political analysts now see Massie’s defeat as another sign of Trump’s continued dominance over the Republican Party heading into the 2026 midterm elections.