Former President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Kentucky businessman and veteran Ed Gallrein, urging him to challenge Rep. Thomas Massie in the 2026 Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.
In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump blasted the seven-term incumbent and championed Gallrein as his preferred “America First” candidate. “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. He continued, “The incredible people of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District gave us a mandate to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person that will help us do that is Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Fifth Generation Kentucky Farmer, Captain Ed Gallrein, a true America First Patriot.”
allrein, a retired Navy SEAL and decorated combat veteran, has not yet formally entered the race, writes Politico. He previously ran unsuccessfully for a state Senate seat in 2024, losing to current Sen. Aaron Reed. His past campaign literature described him as “a 5th generation farmer and small business owner” and “a retired career Navy SEAL Commissioned Officer and decorated combat veteran.”
Trump’s endorsement escalates an already tense relationship with Massie, who has frequently clashed with the administration during Trump’s second term. Massie has voted against several key policy initiatives, including tariffs, strikes against Iran, and the “Big Beautiful Bill.” More recently, he joined California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna in calling for the release of federal documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein—an effort Trump has resisted.
The GOP primary field already includes Robert Wells Jr. and Nicole Lee Ethington, while three Democrats are competing for their party’s nomination. Political analysts at the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rate the district as safely Republican, reflecting Trump’s commanding 2024 win over Kamala Harris there.
Massie, who first entered Congress in 2012 through a special election, has consistently dominated his reelection contests and easily dispatched primary challengers since 2020.
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