'Crazy to run against me': Republican who voted against megabill defies Trump's threats
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media, on the day of a closed House Republican Conference meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
Even though President Donald Trump has hinted at backing primary challengers against incumbent members of the House Republican Conference who don't back his agenda, one of them remains bullish about his reelection chances.
Axios reported Thursday that Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is refusing to relent in his opposition to Trump's so-called "big, beautiful bill" after being just one of a small number of Republicans who didn't vote for its passage. The Kentucky Republican's main source of contention with the bill was its cost, saying that he refused to back any legislation that would raise the federal deficit by trillions of dollars. And he told Axios that he wasn't scared of Trump's threats to drive him out of office.
"If somebody got in this race and they were a reasonable person, not crazy to run against me, I would call them up and say: 'You know what you should do before you dedicate the next year and a half of your life to getting your a-- kicked? You should do a poll,'" Massie said.
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The seven-term Republican added that Trump calling him out has led to a fundraising bonanza, telling Axios that he's raised $47,000 for his reelection effort this week alone. He also reportedly has fundraising events scheduled in California throughout next week.
Massie has long been a thorn in Trump's side, dating back to 2019 when he voted against Trump's declaration of a national emergency on the Southern border. The following year, Massie drew Trump's ire when voting against his Covid-19 relief legislation and led to Trump calling for him to be forced "out of the Republican Party." And in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Massie endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over Trump.
After the Kentucky Republican's wife, Rhonda, passed away in June of last year, Massie's opposition to Trump calcified to the point where he told the Wall Street Journal he had "no F's to give" regarding his refusal to vote for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to keep the gavel.
According to Ballotpedia, Massie already has a primary opponent, as Republican registered nurse Nicole Lee Ethington has declared her candidacy for next year's race. And Axios is reporting that Trump's political team is already fielding calls from would-be challengers to Massie in 2026.
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Click here to read Axios' report in full.
