President Donald Trump indicated he is looking for someone to take on Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in a primary challenge next year. 

Massie said he is a firm “no” on the House’s continuing resolution that would fund the government through September. With House Republicans’ slim majority, they can only afford to lose one vote, should all Democrats vote against the resolution, to keep the government open.

Recommended Stories

• Johnson faces unity test on spending deal as Democrats promise not to help GOP
• DC officials decry CR plan to strip district of funding: 'Fiscal sabotage'
• Freedom Caucus calls for Medicaid reform in boost to Democratic narrative

Trump has urged House Republicans to vote in favor of the bill and expressed his dissatisfaction with Massie’s refusal to support it. 

“Congressman Thomas Massie, of beautiful Kentucky, is an automatic ‘NO’ vote on just about everything, despite the fact that he has always voted for Continuing Resolutions in the past,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. 

“HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him. He’s just another GRANDSTANDER, who’s too much trouble, and not worth the fight,” the president continued. “He reminds me of Liz Chaney before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!). The people of Kentucky won’t stand for it, just watch. DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS???”

Trump called Massie a “third-rate grandstander” who just wanted “publicity” for attempting to delay the COVID-19 relief bill in March 2020. Massie has represented his Kentucky district in Congress since 2012. He has won all of his recent elections and primaries with no serious challenge.

“Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my re-election. Guess what? Doesn’t work on me,” Massie said in response to Trump. “Three times I’ve had a challenger who tried to be more MAGA than me. None busted 25 percent because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance.”

Trump’s former 2024 campaign adviser Chris LaCivita responded, “Never faced me … stand by.” LaCivita lives in Virginia and was born in Pennsylvania, and it does not appear he has ties to Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.

Other Republicans came to Massie’s defense after Trump’s post.

“I have nothing but profound respect for Massie, who has worked harder than perhaps any member of Congress to bring federal spending under control. He might vote differently on this matter than most, but if he does so, he’ll have a really good reason. I’m a huge fan,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) said on social media.

Massie said he is against the stopgap funding bill, which will be voted on later Tuesday, because it maintains federal funding at current levels, which were set in 2022, without considering budget cuts ordered by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

“Unless I get a lobotomy Monday that causes me to forget what I’ve witnessed the past 12 years, I’ll be a NO on the CR this week. It amazes me that my colleagues and many of the public fall for the lie that we will fight another day,” Massie said on social media on Sunday.

HILL REPUBLICANS GET TO KNOW DOGE — AND THE BUSINESS TITANS RUNNING IT

He has oftentimes been the only Republican to break with the party on other votes. Reps. Cory Mills (R-FL) and Tim Burchett (R-TN) have said they are unsure if they will vote in favor of the CR, and Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) also indicated they were unsure but said they were likely going to vote in favor of it. 

Vice President JD Vance will be on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to convince some of the holdouts to vote in favor of the resolution.