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2026 Election

Thomas Massie Is Testing Whether a Trump Nemesis Can Win a Republican Primary

Thomas Massie has never been more influential, taking down foreign leaders with the Epstein files. But his independence from Trump could hurt him at home. “I’d call him a Judas,” his primary challenger told NOTUS.

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Rep. Thomas Massie talks with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol after the House voted on a bill to release the Jeffrey Epstein files on November 18, 2025. Tom Williams/AP

By Alex Roarty

February 26, 2026 05:37 a.m.

FLORENCE, Ky. — Thomas Massie was about halfway through a reelection speech when he started mocking Donald Trump.

The president first threatened to end his political career in 2020, the Republican congressman said Saturday — Trump called him minutes after he voted against a COVID-related spending plan.

“He said, ‘I’m coming at you like you’ve never seen,’” said Massie, exaggerating Trump’s sneering accent. “‘Never in your life before have you seen the way in which I will come at you. I’m more popular than you in Kentucky, and you know it. I’m backing your primary opponent, and you’re going to looooose.’”