President Donald Trump threatened Saturday to back a primary challenger to Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) after she campaigned in Kentucky for Trump adversary Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).
“Is anyone interested in running against Weak Minded Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District?” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my Honor to withdraw that Endorsement, and endorse a good and proper alternative.”
Boebert is among a small group of GOP lawmakers who have publicly supported Massie in his race against Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and Army Ranger. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was also at the event.
Massie has emerged as one of Trump’s most outspoken critics on high-profile policy debates, including Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, the Iran war, and spending.
“I’m not mad or offended. I knew the risks when I agreed to stand by my friend Thomas Massie” Boebert said in response to the president on X. “I was, and will be, America First, America Always, and MAGA.”
Gallrein held roughly a 5 percentage-point lead over Massie one day before early voting began, according to a Wednesday Quantis Insights poll of 908 likely GOP voters. The primary will be held on Tuesday, May 19.
Trump had endorsed Boebert in 2024 when he was a presidential nominee, calling her then a “Proven Conservative” who delivers for the “America First agenda.” She has been a notable ally of Trump in Congress, recently introducing legislation in late April to give congressional approval to Trump’s White House ballroom.
Massie’s ex-girlfriend alleged this week that the Kentucky congressman had offered her $5,000 to abandon a wrongful termination complaint against his close ally Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), allegations Massie has denied.
Massie’s race serves as a test of Trump’s ability to successfully primary his opponents. During the state elections in Indiana earlier this month, all five lawmakers opposed by Trump lost.
GALLREIN TAKES THE LEAD OVER MASSIE IN LATEST KENTUCKY PRIMARY POLLING
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) also lost in the Louisiana Senate primary Saturday night, with Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) placing first to advance to a state runoff election with state Treasurer John Fleming.
Ahead of the campaign stops in Shelby County and Oldham County, Kentucky, Boebert said in an X post that she supports both Trump and Massie, saying both work “to preserve freedom and liberty.”
