President Donald Trump has encouraged a retired Navy SEAL and unsuccessful legislative candidate to challenge Republican Rep. Thomas Massie in next year’s Kentucky primary, building up his choice as �A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN” in his latest�social media barrage�against the congressman, who has crossed him on high-profile issues.

Trump’s choice, Ed Gallrein, has not entered the 4th District campaign but said he would reveal his plans soon while praising the president for �an amazing job� on securing the border and lowering taxes. Trump touted Gallrein in a Friday evening post on his social media platform: �RUN, ED, RUN.�

Gallrein is a farmer and businessman who had a long military career and last year ran for a state Senate seat, narrowly losing in a three-way Republican primary.

Massie, bracing for the toughest political fight of his career, last week reported his best-ever fundraising quarter to try to counter a super PAC launched by Trump aides that has run ads attacking him. The maverick congressman sounded unfazed by the emergence of a would-be rival backed by Trump.

�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. Ed�s been begging them to pick him for over three months now,� Massie said in a statement Friday night.

Massie has drawn Trump�s wrath for opposing him on budget and foreign policy issues but is betting that Kentuckians will embrace his independent streak despite Trump�s popularity in the Bluegrass State.

Asked Monday to handicap a potential May 2026 primary involving Massie and Gallrein, Republican consultant Tres Watson said: �This race is 100% about Thomas Massie vs. Donald Trump. I think it will be an interesting test of Trump�s influence on the base of the party. Because Thomas Massie also appeals to an important constituency in the base of the party.�

Trump�s endorsement was seen as decisive in a recent open�congressional primary in Tennessee. Matt Van Epps, who won the crowded Republican primary, said Trump’s endorsement �made the difference, and I will never forget it.� Van Epps will compete in December in a special election to replace a GOP congressman who left office this summer.

Massie draws Trump’s ire

Massie�s well-documented, up-and-down relationship with Trump took another plunge this year. The libertarian-leaning congressman opposed�Trump’s massive tax breaks and spending cuts package, saying it will grow the national debt and hurt the economy, while Trump calls it �beautiful.� Massie also drew Trump�s ire for saying the president lacked authority to�attack Iran�s nuclear sites�without congressional approval.

And Massie has been among a handful of House Republicans looking to force�the public release of case files on the child trafficking probe into the late Jeffrey Epstein. The Republican president�s supporters want the government to release secret files about Epstein, who authorities say killed himself�in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial. Trump has repeatedly denied prior knowledge of Epstein�s crimes and claimed he cut off their relationship long ago.

Massie has been�endorsed by Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who joined the congressman on a two-day swing through the 4th District last month. After one event, Paul told reporters that based on the enthusiastic turnout they received, �it will be very hard to run against� Massie.

Trump brands Massie �lightweight�

While promoting his choice to unseat Massie, Trump touted Gallrein’s military service and background as a businessman. The president said he will �fight tirelessly� on such issues as border security, crime and support for gun ownership rights.

�Unlike �lightweight� Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN,� Trump said. �Should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement.�

Massie’s history of bucking Republican leadership

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology-educated Massie entered Congress in 2012. He represents a conservative district stretching across northern Kentucky that includes a mix of rural and suburban voters.

Massie�s reputation as a contrarian willing to buck GOP leaders goes back years. In 2020, during Trump�s first term, he tried to stall�a COVID-19 relief package. Trump berated him then as a �third rate Grandstander� who should be tossed from the GOP. The smackdown was a bump in the road for Massie, who cruised to reelection. In 2022,�Trump endorsed Massie, calling him a �Conservative Warrior� and a �first-rate Defender of the Constitution.�

Now Massie faces the prospect of running against Trump’s vaunted political operation.

�Since he got elected, he�s never faced a candidate who�s both well financed and well qualified,” Watson said. “So this will be a unique challenge for him. However, he�s a very unique member of Congress.�

Several candidates besides Massie have filed with the Federal Election Commission for the campaign in Kentucky�s 4th District. The winner of the Republican nomination will be heavily favored in the November general election in a district last represented by a Democrat two decades ago.

(AP)