Rep. Thomas Massie says breaks with Trump were ‘absolutely worth it’
Rep. Thomas Massie has no regrets about breaking with President Trump on key issues and losing the Kentucky Republican primary to the president’s hand-picked challenger.
“It was definitely worth it for me,” Mr. Massie said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
The congressman said he would “continue to go against the grain” during his final seven months in the House and vote for principles and people over party. He says it’s a mistake that more Republicans don’t do it.
“There are a growing number of people on the right who suffer from a form of TDS called Trump Disappointment Syndrome,” Mr. Massie said. “And I think what’s going to happen to the party this fall is that it has disenfranchised a lot of that constituency that Trump brought together to get us to the White House, to a majority in the Senate and to a majority in the House.”
“They have alienated MAHA by kowtowing to pesticide manufacturers and pharmaceutical manufacturers,” he added. “They’ve alienated fiscal hawks by running DOGE out of town. They’ve alienated people who don’t want to fight another war for other countries. And so I fear that come November, it’s going to cost the party dearly.”
Mr. Massie has consistently voted against foreign wars, including the current conflict between the United States and Iran.
He has also voted against laws that worsen the deficit, such as Mr. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The congressman also led legislation that forced the Justice Department to release its files on the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
These actions frustrated Mr. Trump, who recruited and supported former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein to run against Mr. Massie.
Mr. Gallrein beat Mr. Massie by 10 percentage points to become the Republican nominee and likely next representative from Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.
Mr. Massie said the fact that he received 45% of the vote despite intense headwinds, including record spending against him from pro-Israel and pro-Trump groups, is proof that the ideals he espoused are still widely popular among Republicans.
Asked about supporters at his election night who encouraged him to run for president in 2028, Mr. Massie said he was not ready to think about his political future.
“I won’t rule anything out, and right now I won’t make any decisions on anything,” he said.
Mr Massie said he enjoyed the time he spent after primary school decompressing on his farm with his grandchildren, cattle and peach trees.
“It’s a pretty good life. I don’t know if I want to ruin it again,” he said.
The congressman said he will take some time to think about what he wants to do next, but he anticipates staying engaged in politics “one way or another.”
“Maybe it comes from the outside,” Mr. Massie said. “I have been speaking out against what is happening in Washington, DC for years, and I will continue to do so. »
