Trump urges Navy veteran to challenge GOP Rep. Thomas Massie for Kentucky seat

President Donald Trump on Friday took another swipe at Rep.

President Donald Trump on Friday took another swipe at Rep. Thomas Massie, urging Navy veteran Ed Gallrein to challenge the Kentucky Republican for his seat in next year’s midterms.

“Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday night. “Should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, ED, RUN — MAGA!”

Gallrein previously campaigned for state Senate in Kentucky in 2024, describing himself on his campaign website at the time as a farmer, a small-business owner with experience in the armed forces as a retired Navy SEAL commissioned officer and a decorated combat veteran. He was defeated by 118 votes in the primary last year by Republican Aaron Reed, who unseated state Sen. Adrienne Southworth.

Massie said in a statement Friday that “Trump’s consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein.”

Gallrein said in a statement Friday that he was "honored by President Trump’s support."