{"id":2603711,"date":"2026-05-17T12:18:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T16:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-revenge-tour-barrels-toward-massie-with-cassidy-and-indiana-in-its-wake\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T12:20:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T16:20:03","slug":"trump-revenge-tour-barrels-toward-massie-with-cassidy-and-indiana-in-its-wake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-revenge-tour-barrels-toward-massie-with-cassidy-and-indiana-in-its-wake\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump revenge tour barrels toward Massie with Cassidy and Indiana in its wake"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-revenge-tour-barrels-toward-massie-with-cassidy-and-indiana-in-its-wake%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2603711&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Donald Trump is using his influence to target Republican incumbents ahead of the 2026 midterm cycle, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calif-huntington-beach-approves-election-voter-id-requirement\/\" title=\"Huntington Beach, California approves voter ID requirement for elections\">recent results show<\/a> the potential impact of his endorsements.Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)-an incumbent for over 17 years-placed third in Louisiana\u2019s Senate primary and lost his chance at reelection, with the race heading to a June 17 runoff between rep. Julia letlow (who won the primary) and state treasurer John Fleming. Cassidy\u2019s fall is linked to Trump\u2019s anger over Cassidy\u2019s 2021 vote to convict Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.<\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s attention is now turning to Rep. thomas Massie (R-KY), who faces a Trump-backed primary challenger, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein. The contest is closely watched as Massie has repeatedly survived past primary challenges. Trump has criticized him intensely on social media and in connection with various votes and issues, arguing Massie is more disloyal than cassidy.Trump\u2019s endorsement push has also influenced other races, including in Indiana, where several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-seeks-electoral-revenge-on-indiana-lawmakers-who-vetoed-new-map\/\" title=\"Trump seeks electoral revenge on ... lawmakers who vetoed new map\">incumbent state senators<\/a> who opposed a GOP redistricting measure were defeated by Trump-backed challengers.<\/p>\n<p>In Kentucky, the election atmosphere is further heated by negative campaigning and allegations involving Massie and an ex-girlfriend, which Massie denies. The Kentucky primary is set to culminate on Tuesday, with voters also watching wider fallout-including Trump\u2019s threat to primary Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) over her support for Massie.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> is flexing his endorsement power in the 2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/midterm-elections\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"308\">midterm election<\/a> cycle, with Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-cassidy\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2103\">Bill Cassidy<\/a> (R-LA) the latest incumbent to fall to the president\u2019s ire and Rep.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/thomas-massie\/\"> Thomas Massie<\/a> (R-KY) in the president\u2019s sights.<\/p>\n<p>Cassidy, a two-term senator who has served on Capitol Hill for over 17 years, placed third in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/louisiana\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"529\">Louisiana<\/a>\u2018s Senate primary on Saturday, bucking his reelection campaign before he could even make it to a primary runoff. The result does not bode well for other incumbents, such as Massie, who have earned themselves a challenge from Trump-backed candidates.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4571017\/massie-anti-establishment-brand-trump-backlash\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Thomas Massie bets anti-establishment brand can survive Trump backlash<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4564391\/what-to-watch-kentucky-2026-primary-elections\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>What to watch for in Kentucky\u2019s 2026 primary elections<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4571734\/trump-threatens-primary-boebert-campaigned-massie\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump threatens to primary Lauren Boebert after she campaigned for Massie<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4571020\/cassidy-loses-reelection-campaign\/\">CASSIDY LOSES SHOT AT REELECTION AS LOUISIANA SENATE RACE HEADS TO RUNOFF<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Cassidy\u2019s 2021 vote to convict Trump on his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/impeachment\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"132\">impeachment<\/a> charges in the wake of the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol spawned his fall from grace and Trump\u2019s bid to oust him. Trump endorsed Cassidy\u2019s challenger, Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), who ultimately placed first in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alaskas-special-election-is-a-template-for-how-the-left-wants-to-rig-the-vote\/\" title=\"Alaska\u2019s Special Election Is A Template For How The Left Wants To Rig The Vote\">general primary election<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Letlow garnered 44.8% of the vote, state Treasurer John Fleming placed second with 28.3% of the vote, and Cassidy came in third with 24.8% of the vote. Letlow and Fleming will now head to a runoff election for the Republican nomination on June 17.<\/p>\n<p>In Louisiana, a deep-red Bible Belt state that voted 60.2% for Trump in 2024, it\u2019s not surprising that a Trump endorsement could dramatically swing a primary election. Cassidy\u2019s prior election results had given him a large buffer \u2014 he won in 2020 with 59.3% of the vote \u2014 but this year, Trump\u2019s finger tipped the scale enough to eliminate Cassidy\u2019s margins and his entire reelection bid.<\/p>\n<p>Massie is the next GOP incumbent to face off in a heated primary from a Trump-backed challenger, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein. Massie, an eight-term congressman who has won every primary challenge since entering Congress with over 70% of the vote, just <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4566906\/gallrein-lead-massie-latest-kentucky-primary-poll\/\">fell behind Gallrein<\/a> in the most recent election poll.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4571017\/massie-anti-establishment-brand-trump-backlash\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4571017\">THOMAS MASSIE BETS ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT BRAND CAN SURVIVE TRUMP BACKLASH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Massie-Gallrein primary will be one of the most closely followed primary elections in the country this year, as pundits see if Massie\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >resolute conservative-libertarian stances<\/a> can make up for the times he\u2019s bucked Trump.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think it\u2019s hard to get motivated to go vote for nobody against somebody, but I think it\u2019s easier to be motivated to go vote for somebody you believe in. Like nobody really believes in my opponent,\u201d Massie <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4571017\/massie-anti-establishment-brand-trump-backlash\/\">told<\/a> the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> this week. <\/p>\n<p>Massie has earned the ire of Trump because of stances such as his vote against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and his campaign for the full, public release of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/epstein-files\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17582\">Epstein files<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBad Congressman Tom Massie voted against Tax Cuts, the Border Wall, our Military and Law Enforcement. Actually, he voted against almost everything that is good. The Worst Republican Congressman in History. Kentucky, vote the bum out on Tuesday,\u201d Trump wrote on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116589795851243755\">Truth Social <\/a>on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Following Cassidy\u2019s ouster, Trump used the opportunity to put a spotlight on a similar race in Kentucky against Massie. But Trump leveled it up and called Massie an \u201ceven bigger insult to our Nation\u201d than Cassidy, slamming him as \u201ca major Sleazebag.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVote for Ed Gallrein, a successful Kentucky farmer, and American War Hero, who only ran because he thought that Massie was so disloyal and disrespectful to your President, ME!\u201d Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116588075000941546\">wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Trump endorsement effect also rocked <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/indiana\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1228\">Indiana<\/a>, where Trump\u2019s crusade to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-vows-to-never-again-endorse-mike-rounds-after-he-said-2020-election-was-fair\/\" title=\"Trump Vows To Never Again Endorse Mike Rounds After He Said 2020 Election Was Fair\">back primary challengers<\/a> for incumbent State Senators who voted against a GOP redistricting measure in the state reshaped the state\u2019s upper chamber. Five of the seven candidates whom Trump endorsed ousted incumbent state Sens. Dan Dernulc, Linda Rogers, Travis Holdman, Jim Buck, and Greg Walker, who all blocked the redistricting measure.<\/p>\n<p>Indiana is also generally less red than Kentucky. The Hoosier State gave Trump 58.6% of the vote in 2024, while the Bluegrass State voted 64.5% for Trump.<\/p>\n<p>The final stretch of the race has been tough for Massie, who argues the pro-Israel lobby and outside billionaires have spent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4558355\/massie-kentucky-house-primary-israel-spending\/\">millions of dollars in negative ads<\/a> to fuel his ouster. The incumbent faced allegations in the last days of the primary from an ex-girlfriend who claims Massie offered her <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4565984\/ex-girlfriend-cynthia-west-thomas-massie-offering-cash-drop-complaint-against-ally\/\">thousands of dollars to drop a workplace wrongful termination<\/a> complaint against his political ally, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN). Massie denies the allegations.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4564391\/what-to-watch-kentucky-2026-primary-elections\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4564391\">WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN KENTUCKY\u2019S 2026 PRIMARY ELECTIONS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The race itself has sparked tangential anger from Trump, as he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4571734\/trump-threatens-primary-boebert-campaigned-massie\/\">threatened on Saturday to primary Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO)<\/a> after she campaigned for Massie. <\/p>\n<p>As early voting in the bluegrass state wraps up, voters will hit the polls in person on Tuesday for the general primary election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Donald Trump wields endorsement power in 2026, ousting Cassidy and targeting Massie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2603712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26125493916206.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[34059,7006,5894,3634],"class_list":["post-2603711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-election-2024","tag-indiana","tag-politics","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26125493916206.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603711","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2603711"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603711\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2603715,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2603711\/revisions\/2603715"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2603712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2603711"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2603711"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2603711"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}