Trump Comments On Congressman's Statement About Airstrikes
President Donald Trump intensified his political offensive against Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on Sunday, publicly severing ties with the Kentucky lawmaker and announcing plans to support a primary challenger in the 2026 election. The escalation follows Massie’s outspoken opposition to U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Trump authorized over the weekend.
Trump took to Truth Social to deliver a pointed rebuke: “Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky is not MAGA... He’s a simple-minded ‘grandstander’ who thinks it’s good politics for Iran to have the highest level Nuclear weapon, while at the same time yelling ‘DEATH TO AMERICA’ at every chance they get.” Trump added that the Make America Great Again movement “doesn’t want him, doesn’t know him, and doesn’t respect him.”
The conflict centers on Massie’s insistence that the strikes violated the Constitution because Congress had not granted prior authorization. Massie introduced a war powers resolution last week and reiterated his view on social media, stating, “When two countries are bombing each other daily in a hot war, and a third country joins the bombing, that’s an act of war.”
Massie’s position found support among progressive Democrats, including members of the so-called Squad, but was sharply rejected by Republican leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump’s action, arguing that the operation was both necessary and legal. “The President made the right call,” Johnson said. “This limited, targeted strike follows the history and tradition of similar military actions under presidents of both parties.”
Trump’s post also drew comparisons between Massie and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), branding Massie as “Rand Paul, Jr.” and accusing him of voting no “on virtually everything.” Trump further criticized Massie for not acknowledging the military’s success and bravery, declaring the Iran strike a “total and complete WIN.”
Later on Sunday, Axios reported that Trump allies are forming a dedicated super PAC, Kentucky MAGA, with the goal of unseating Massie in the upcoming primary. The PAC will be headed by senior Trump advisers Tony Fabrizio and Chris LaCivita.
Massie responded by acknowledging Trump’s endorsement of a challenger and asking supporters to back his re-election campaign. “I introduced a War Powers Resolution on Tuesday, while Congress was on vacation,” he noted, pushing back on claims that time was insufficient for debate.