**President Trump Calls for Removal of Rep. Thomas Massie, Endorses Challenger for 2026 Midterms**
*Published: October 18, 2025, 2:30 p.m. ET*
President Donald Trump launched a fierce attack on Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky on Friday, October 17, calling for his removal from Congress and endorsing a potential challenger for next year’s midterm elections, RadarOnline.com reports.
### Trump Targets Massie
“Third-Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
This post marks Trump’s latest effort to punish GOP lawmakers who have opposed his agenda or questioned his influence within the Republican Party. Massie, a libertarian-leaning conservative known for defying party leadership, has frequently clashed with Trump and his allies over issues like government spending and foreign policy.
### Trump Endorses Ed Gallrein
In the same message, Trump endorsed Navy veteran Ed Gallrein as a potential challenger.
“Should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, ED, RUN — MAGA!” Trump declared. He added that Gallrein “will fight tirelessly” for border security and against crime, while describing Massie as “a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly.”
Gallrein, who narrowly lost a 2024 Republican state Senate primary to fellow Navy SEAL Aaron Reed, expressed gratitude for the endorsement. “He is doing an amazing job securing the border, lowering taxes, and making America great again,” Gallrein said. “I will make an announcement on what’s next soon!”
### Massie Responds
Massie quickly fired back, labeling the endorsement a desperate move.
“After having been rejected by every elected official in the 4th District, Trump’s consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein,” Massie told outlets. “Ed’s been begging them to pick him for over three months now.”
### Ongoing Rift Between Trump and Massie
This public exchange adds to a long-standing rift between Trump and Massie, who first drew Trump’s ire by opposing the GOP’s massive spending package earlier this year.
“I don’t think Thomas Massie understands government. I think he’s a grandstander,” Trump said in May. “I think he should be voted out of office.”
### MAGA Efforts to Oust Massie
Trump’s push to unseat Massie comes amid intensified efforts by his allies to recruit challengers and inject funds into primary races. The newly formed MAGA KY super PAC has already spent $1.8 million targeting Massie.
Despite Trump’s attacks, Massie remains a formidable figure in his district. He ran uncontested in 2024 after easily defeating two primary challengers.
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*Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving political battle in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.*
https://radaronline.com/p/donald-trump-declares-war-republican-congressman-truth-social-rant/
