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Trump-backed candidates sweep Republican primaries
Donald Trump's influence over the Republican Party was on full display this week as multiple incumbent lawmakers fell to challengers endorsed by the former president. Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie became the latest casualty in a string of primary defeats that analysts say underscores Trump's unshaken grip on the GOP.
Massie's defeat marks latest Trump victory
Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican who had clashed repeatedly with Trump, lost his primary race Tuesday to Ed Gallrein, a candidate backed by the former president. Gallrein secured approximately 55% of the vote, despite minimal campaigning, relying instead on Trump's endorsement and the $20 million in support it generated.
Massie's opposition to Trump's policies-including the 2023 tax-and-spending budget, military operations in Venezuela and Iran, and his push to release Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein-placed him squarely on Trump's enemies list. His defeat follows similar losses by other Republican incumbents, including Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who fell to a Trump-endorsed rival over the weekend.
Trump's endorsement strategy raises questions
Trump's willingness to target even loyal Republicans has raised eyebrows within the party. On Tuesday, he endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in next week's runoff against Senator John Cornyn, a longtime GOP leader who had proposed legislation to name a Texas highway after Trump just days earlier. Trump dismissed Cornyn as insufficiently supportive during "tough times," opting instead for Paxton, whom he called a "true MAGA warrior."
"I don't understand it. John Cornyn is an outstanding senator and deserved, in my judgement, the president's support."
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine)
The move surprised Cornyn's allies, given his decades of service and role as a top fundraiser for Senate Republicans. Analysts warn that Trump's endorsements may backfire in November, as his preferred candidates could struggle to appeal to independent voters amid growing dissatisfaction with his economic record.
Defeated incumbents could complicate Trump's agenda
With several Republicans set to leave Congress after losing primaries, Trump may face new challenges in advancing his legislative priorities. Cassidy, who voted to limit Trump's war powers in Iran and opposed funding for a proposed White House ballroom, is among those who could use their remaining months in office to obstruct the president's agenda.
As more Republicans depart-either by choice or by Trump's intervention-their opposition could highlight divisions within the party, potentially benefiting Democrats in the general election. The exodus also raises questions about the long-term impact of Trump's dominance on the GOP's electoral prospects.
What's next
Next Tuesday's runoff in Texas will test whether Trump's endorsement of Paxton can overcome Cornyn's established support. Meanwhile, Massie and other ousted incumbents face an uncertain future, with some already signaling they may use their remaining time in office to challenge Trump's policies.
