Scoop: Trump launches MAGA PAC in effort to oust Rep. Massie from Congress

President Trump's political operation has launched an aggressive effort to unseat Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, its first such effort to defeat a sitting Republican incumbent, Axios has learned.Why it matters: By going after Massie, Trump's team is looking to put wayward Republicans on notice that they're ready to play hardball.Massie has attacked Trump over his strike on Iran, saying on X that it was "not Constitutional," prompting the president to fire back on Truth Social that the congressman is "not MAGA."He also called Massie "weak, ineffective" and "disrespectful to our great military, and all that they stand for." Massie was one of two House Republicans to vote against Trump's "big beautiful bill" last month, leading Trump to declare that he should be "voted out of office."Zoom out: Trump's $500 million political apparatus is the most powerful, well-funded force in American politics — and gives Trump a weapon with which to target any lawmaker who crosses him. Zoom in: Trump's team has launched Kentucky MAGA, a super PAC devoted to defeating Massie in the May 2026 primary.The organization will be run by Trump's senior political advisers, Tony Fabrizio and Chris LaCivita.LaCivita said the PAC would spend "whatever it takes" to defeat Massie.Plans for taking on Massie were in the works before the congressman decided to call Trump's attack on Iran unconstitutional, a Trump aide said.Behind the curtain: Trump's operation has been talking with potential Republican challengers to Massie.Aides say the goal is to rally around one Massie opponent, so that multiple rivals don't splinter support.The intrigue: The Trump team earlier this month quietly commissioned a survey gauging Massie's support in his conservative central Kentucky district and found that the congressman would be vulnerable to a Trump-backed primary challenge.The survey, which was conducted by Trump pollster John McLaughlin, found that 52 percent would support a Trump-endorsed candidate and 23 percent support Massie.Eighty-seven percent approved of Trump, compared to 52 percent for Massie, according to the poll, a copy of which was obtained by Axios.Seventy-four percent said they supported the "big beautiful bill."Yes, but: Massie, who was first elected in 2012, easily survived primary challenges in the last three cycles.His advisers argue that his libertarian-minded, independent streak endears him to voters.What they're saying: "Massie's long-time opposition to President Trump's working family tax cuts -- and really anything to do with President Trump -- is coming to an end," LaCivita said in a statement. "Thomas 'Little Boy' Massie will be fired."Massie told Axios: "Any serious person considering running should spend money on an independent poll before letting swampy consultants take them for an embarrassing ride."The background: Massie and Trump's contentious relationship dates back to Trump's first term.In 2020, Massie opposed Trump's COVID relief package, leading the president to call for the congressman to be thrown "out of the Republican Party."The congressman was one of only six House Republicans to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Trump in last year's GOP presidential primary.After Massie opposed a Trump-backed government spending bill this spring, Trump called the congressman a "GRANDSTANDER."Methodology: The survey of 600 likely primary voters was conducted June 9-11. The margin of error was +/- 4%.

Comments

World news

Expert: Putin is changing tactics but would need SEVENTY YEARS to conquer all Ukraine

Express

Comments

Similar News

Scoop: Pro-Trump group unleashes first TV ad against Massie

Scoop: Trump to limit sharing classified info with Congress after leak on Iran bombing damage

Scoop: Trump admin cuts contracts with scientific publishing giant

Scoop: Trump denies 9 former Biden aides executive privilege in probe of ex-president's fitness

Scoop: Senate GOP mocks Iran war predictions by Tucker Carlson

Scoop: Trump plans victory lap for Big Beautiful Bill

Scoop: WhatsApp banned on House staffers' devices

Scoop: Trump's back channel to Iran failed after supreme leader went dark

EuroMillions winner who scooped 250m comes forward to claim prize

Scoop: Moreno opens up Senate front in MAGA's war on Fed chair Powell

’60s Scoop survivors demand action on 10th anniversary of provincial apology

Scoop: House Democrats probe FBI handcuffing of Sen. Alex Padilla

Scoop: U.S. tells allies it won't join war unless Iran targets Americans

Scoop: Trump pressed by pro-Israel lawmakers to take hard line with Iran after Israel strikes

Scoop: Every Senate Dem demands Trump withdraw military from Los Angeles

Scoop: Democrats' bill hits back at Hegseth on renaming USNS Harvey Milk, other ships

Scoop: Trump to headline Sen. McCormick's AI energy summit in Pittsburgh

Scoop: Democratic Rep. Jared Golden breaks with party on McIver and Padilla incidents

Scoop: U.S. told Israel it won't participate in an Israeli strike on Iran

Plumber down to his last £9 scooped £11m lottery win – but then life took a dark turn

World news

Expert: Putin is changing tactics but would need SEVENTY YEARS to conquer all Ukraine

Timeline of the Idaho college killings

Post office in Plains, Georgia, to be renamed to honor Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter

Teen bullies in Tennessee may be banned from driving under new law

North Texas mom wanted for the murder of her 6-year-old son added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted

Ukraine-Russia war latest: US halts weapons shipments after Macron holds first Putin phone call since 2022

Orange County congresswoman targeted by protests over Trump megabill, cuts to healthcare

U.S. won't send some weapons pledged to Ukraine following a Pentagon review of military assistance

Passengers wrote their wills and goodbye letters as 'stewardess cried' on plummeting plane

FBI Special Agent supervisor hired prostitutes on assignments, watchdog claims

Senate Republicans Just Undermined Trump’s Energy Dominance Agenda

Trump says Israel has agreed on terms for 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and has warning for Hamas

Passengers pen goodbye letters during plane's 26,000 ft drop, oxygen masks deployed

Hackers abuse generative AI tool to create phishing sites in as little as 30 seconds

Florida says "Alligator Alcatraz" is temporary. Trump isn't so sure.

Newsom says Trump "caved" after 150 California National Guard troops moved to wildfire duty

Qantas data breach exposes up to six million customer profiles

US halts some weapons shipments to Ukraine, White House says

Mexican banks face cascading consequences following U.S. sanctions

Europe sizzles and the Eiffel Tower's summit closes

Charities and humanitarian groups press for end to Israeli-backed aid group in Gaza

Ukraine latest Russian neighbor to pull out of anti-landmine ban treaty

International charities and NGOs call for end to controversial Israeli-backed aid group in Gaza

Starmer's attempt at welfare reform roils his party, capping a troubled first year in office

Mother arrested after newborn baby found dead in several bin bags

The punishing price of essentials as Brits experience 'comfort crunch'

Trump announces Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal but warns 'it will only get worse'

20 states sue after the Trump administration releases private Medicaid data to deportation officials

UPenn bans transgender athletes from female sports and revokes some of Lia Thomas’ records in Trump admin deal

Americans are spending less on luxury items but this market still shines

Sleepless in the Senate well: Late-night ball game, cornered holdout, partisan tacos and Trump’s fave breakfast

Springer soaks up Canada Day vibes at the plate

Tornado warning issued for part of Yellowhead County in Alberta

Trump touts Gaza '60 day ceasefire' after Israel agrees US terms but tells Hamas 'it will only get worse'

A Crackdown Inside Iran

‘Our town’s going to collapse’: Northern B.C. businesses demand Ottawa revisit immigration, work permit cuts

Elks head coach says team ‘needs to grow’ as it continues to search for 1st win of CFL season

Report: Drug cartels' fentanyl trafficking part of China's asymmetric war on United States

Hurricane Flossie could become a major hurricane off the Pacific coast of Mexico

'Robert' returns: FBI investigating suspected Iranian hackers claiming to have Trump team info

'Lost city of Atlantis FOUND' — Archaeologist makes shock claim after underwater discovery

Here are the companies facing boycotts this month over workers’ rights and DEI policy changes

Republicans fall into line again and bring Trump’s agenda closer to reality

High bacteria levels have forced beaches in these states to close ahead of July 4

Rachel Zegler’s thrilling Evita throbs with sex and muscle

Trump says Israel agrees to conditions of 60-day ceasefire in Gaza

Zara McDermott’s To Catch A Stalker is a terrifying insight into a rising crime

Extreme heat warnings in place as Women's Euros kick off in Switzerland

Springer, Blue Jays crush Yankees 12-5

New NOAA document spells out further deep Trump cuts

Trump says Israel has agreed to terms for 60-day Gaza ceasefire

Trans swimmer Lia Thomas' records revoked in UPenn deal with Trump admin

Mother arrested after newborn baby girl found decapitated and dumped in bin bags

How 'blood gold' is fuelling conflict in West Africa

'They took shrapnel from my heart' – the magnets saving lives in Ukraine

Diddy jury to keep deliberating after deadlocking on most serious charge

Israel has agreed to conditions for 60-day Gaza ceasefire, Trump says