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Trump tightens grip on GOP after Massie’s defeat in Kentucky primary – US politics live
TL;DR
Donald Trump has consolidated his influence over the GOP following Congressman Thomas Massie's defeat in the Kentucky primary, where Massie lost 55% to 45%. This primary became the most expensive in US history, costing over $32 million.
Key points
- Trump tightens grip on the Republican party
- Massie defeated in Kentucky primary
- Gallrein won with 55% of the vote
- Primary cost over $32 million
- Massie broke with Trump on key issues
Mentioned in this story
Donald TrumpThomas MassieEd GallreinRepublican party
Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of US politics. Donald Trump has tightened his grip on the Republican party after the independent-minded Congressman Thomas Massie was defeated in the Kentucky Republican House primaryby the president’s hand-picked challenger.
Massie lost by a vote of 55% to 45%, in what became the most expensive House primary in US history, drawing over $32m in spending.
Trump repeatedly called for voters to back Ed Gallrein, a retired navy Seal and farmer, over the incumbent Massie who had drawn the president’s ire after breaking with him on several high-profile issues, including the war on Iran, the release of the Epstein files and his signature tax bill.
“There is a yearning in this country for somebody who will vote for principles over party,” Massie said in his concession speech.
“If the legislative branch always votes whichever way the wind is blowing, then we have mob rule,” he added.
Massie’s defeat was the latest in a series of successful proxy battles Trump has fought which have ousted dissenting Republican incumbents – in states like Indiana and Louisiana – by endorsing a more loyal challenger.
Thomas Massie speaks with supporters after his concession speech in Hebron, Kentucky. Photograph: Jon Cherry/Getty Images
The election took place as voters in five other states – Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Idaho – went to the polls on Tuesday, to decide their nominees for the November election in what was the biggest primary night of the year so far. We’ll bring you a round up of these results shortly.
The next major test of Trump’s influence is in Texas, where the state’s controversial attorney general, Ken Paxton, has just secured the president’s endorsement in his bid to unseat four-term incumbent Republican senator John Cornyn in next week’s Republican primary run-off race.
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Q&A
What were the results of the Kentucky Republican House primary?
Thomas Massie lost to Ed Gallrein by a vote of 55% to 45%.
How much money was spent in the Kentucky primary involving Trump and Massie?
The primary became the most expensive in US history, with over $32 million spent.
Why did Trump support Ed Gallrein over Thomas Massie?
Trump supported Gallrein because Massie had broken with him on several key issues, which led to Trump's endorsement of Gallrein.
