President Donald Trump on Monday urged candidates weighing a run for the House seat held by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to back his preferred choice: Ed Gallrein.
Trump emphasized his endorsement of the combat veteran in the Kentucky congressional race while imploring others to do the same.
“I have heard that there are other Candidates exploring a run for this seat, but I am asking all MAGA Warriors to rally behind Captain Ed Gallrein, the Candidate who is, far and away, best positioned to DEFEAT Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the beautiful Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won BIG, ALL THREE TIMES,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Gallrein filed to run for Congress on Monday ahead of the Jan. 9 filing deadline for this year’s primary. The Trump-endorsed candidate launched his campaign in October, following Trump’s encouragement for him to run against Massie.
The feud between Trump and Massie has grown in recent months as the congressman opposed the president on many issues, including foreign policy and the release of the Epstein files.
Trump continued with his attacks against the Kentucky Republican on Monday, calling him “lightweight” and a “true hater of Israel.” Meanwhile, he made a strong case for Gallrein.
“A Brave Combat Veteran, Ed knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Defend our Country, Support our Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Trump said, citing Gallrein’s support for the recent capture of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his penchant for business.
“CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET KENTUCKY DOWN!” he concluded in all caps.
TRUMP HEAVYWEIGHTS DESCEND ON CAPITOL HILL: BURNING QUESTIONS FROM LAWMAKERS ON VENEZUELA
Massie rebuked the successful operation that led to Maduro’s arrest over the weekend, accusing the Trump administration of making the situation in Venezuela about oil and regime change. Gallrein contrasted his stance on the operation with Massie’s position. Maduro is now in the United States to face criminal charges on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
While Gallrein is the most notable candidate in the race with Trump’s endorsement, another Republican is also running against Massie. Robert Wells, a retired anesthesiologist and entrepreneur, filed to run for Congress in late November. He criticized Massie for casting votes in the House that “repeatedly betray President Trump and the MAGA Agenda.”
