$33 Million: Trump And AIPAC Take Out Thomas Massie
By Prem Thakker|Zeteo Photos: Wikimedia Commons Nearly $33 million. That’s how much was thrown into one Republican House primary in Kentucky. The most expensive such primary ever. And it was enough to beat Thomas Massie. Millions were dropped by outside groups and Trump allies seeking to boost Massie’s challenger, Ed Gallrein. It paid off, Gallrein winning 55% to 45%. Massie told supporters he had called his opponent to concede. Though he couldn’t resist a crack at Gallrein, he said he was committed to “basic decency” in politics, adding: “We’ve been honorable the whole time and we’re going to stay that way.” The spending in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District surpassed even that seen in two vastly expensive House primaries in 2024, successful challenges against then Democratic Reps. Jamaal Bowman in New York and Cori Bush in Missouri. Bowman and Bush had something in common beyond progressive politics: they were leading critics of the Israeli government and advocates for Palestinian rights. Yes, your guess is correct: many of the same groups and individuals who spent against Bowman and Bush spent to get rid of Massie, AIPAC prominent among them. It should be said that Massie is no one’s idea of a progressive, hidden or otherwise. Hardline positions include abortion (anti), guns (pro), and birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented migrants (you guessed it, anti). Nonetheless, his breaks from Trump created headlines, and not just thanks to colorful quotes like this one, when he told a minion of pro-Trump troll Laura Loomer: “I thought you knew. I vote with Republicans 91% of the time, and the 9% I don’t, they’re taking up for pedophiles, starting another war, or bankrupting our country.”… Subscribe to Zeteo
Black News 
By Prem Thakker|Zeteo
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Nearly $33 million. That’s how much was thrown into one Republican House primary in Kentucky. The most expensive such primary ever. And it was enough to beat Thomas Massie.
Millions were dropped by outside groups and Trump allies seeking to boost Massie’s challenger, Ed Gallrein. It paid off, Gallrein winning 55% to 45%.
Massie told supporters he had called his opponent to concede. Though he couldn’t resist a crack at Gallrein, he said he was committed to “basic decency” in politics, adding: “We’ve been honorable the whole time and we’re going to stay that way.”
The spending in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District surpassed even that seen in two vastly expensive House primaries in 2024, successful challenges against then Democratic Reps. Jamaal Bowman in New York and Cori Bush in Missouri. Bowman and Bush had something in common beyond progressive politics: they were leading critics of the Israeli government and advocates for Palestinian rights. Yes, your guess is correct: many of the same groups and individuals who spent against Bowman and Bush spent to get rid of Massie, AIPAC prominent among them.
It should be said that Massie is no one’s idea of a progressive, hidden or otherwise. Hardline positions include abortion (anti), guns (pro), and birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented migrants (you guessed it, anti).
Nonetheless, his breaks from Trump created headlines, and not just thanks to colorful quotes like this one, when he told a minion of pro-Trump troll Laura Loomer: “I thought you knew. I vote with Republicans 91% of the time, and the 9% I don’t, they’re taking up for pedophiles, starting another war, or bankrupting our country.”…
