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Donald Trump's GOP revenge tour is complete
Donald Trump’s GOP revenge tour is complete
First came the Indiana state senators. Then Bill Cassidy. And now Thomas Massie and Brad Raffensperger have fallen.
President Donald Trump campaigns for congressional candidate Ed Gallrein in Hebron, Kentucky, March 11, 2026. | Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
By Aaron Pellish and Lisa Kashinsky
05/19/2026 11:00 PM EDT
President Donald Trump finished his retribution tour with a bang. ... Trump ousted GOP Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky and blocked Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s bid for Georgia governor on Tuesday, capping off a monthlong revenge campaign that saw the president force out most of the Indiana state lawmakers who opposed his redistricting efforts and unseat Louisiana GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy.
The show of dominance reaffirmed Trump’s iron grip on the Republican Party base even as his overall polling numbers continue to slip. The May primary season has proven the president is still a kingmaker and any GOP lawmaker looking to buck Trump is unlikely to live to tell the tale.
“Trump once again proved his power in the GOP,” said Trey Grayson, a Republican former Kentucky secretary of state who was neutral in Massie’s race. ... “The most valuable asset or currency in Republican primaries, not just in Georgia, but around the country, is having the endorsement of Donald Trump,” said Josh McKoon, the chair of the Georgia Republican Party.
{snip}
Dave Smith, a libertarian podcaster who supported Trump in 2024 but has since broken away from the president, encouraged Massie to maintain a place in the national political conversation. ... “If Massie loses tonight, he should run for President,” Smith said.
Erin Doherty contributed reporting.
First came the Indiana state senators. Then Bill Cassidy. And now Thomas Massie and Brad Raffensperger have fallen.
President Donald Trump campaigns for congressional candidate Ed Gallrein in Hebron, Kentucky, March 11, 2026. | Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
By Aaron Pellish and Lisa Kashinsky
05/19/2026 11:00 PM EDT
President Donald Trump finished his retribution tour with a bang. ... Trump ousted GOP Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky and blocked Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s bid for Georgia governor on Tuesday, capping off a monthlong revenge campaign that saw the president force out most of the Indiana state lawmakers who opposed his redistricting efforts and unseat Louisiana GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy.
The show of dominance reaffirmed Trump’s iron grip on the Republican Party base even as his overall polling numbers continue to slip. The May primary season has proven the president is still a kingmaker and any GOP lawmaker looking to buck Trump is unlikely to live to tell the tale.
“Trump once again proved his power in the GOP,” said Trey Grayson, a Republican former Kentucky secretary of state who was neutral in Massie’s race. ... “The most valuable asset or currency in Republican primaries, not just in Georgia, but around the country, is having the endorsement of Donald Trump,” said Josh McKoon, the chair of the Georgia Republican Party.
{snip}
Dave Smith, a libertarian podcaster who supported Trump in 2024 but has since broken away from the president, encouraged Massie to maintain a place in the national political conversation. ... “If Massie loses tonight, he should run for President,” Smith said.
Erin Doherty contributed reporting.
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