Donald Trump isn’t backing down. He’s standing up for his agenda even if that means upsetting some members of the GOP.
And a civil war breaks out in the Republican Party after what Trump threatened to do.
Trump vs. Massie: A Clash Over War Powers and Loyalty
President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack against Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), signaling his intent to back a primary challenger against the congressman. The feud, ignited by Massie’s push to curb Trump’s war powers, marks the latest chapter in their long-running tensions.
In a scathing Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump tore into Massie, branding him a “pathetic loser” and lambasting his voting record. “Massie is weak, ineffective, and votes ‘NO’ on virtually everything put before him (Rand Paul, Jr.), no matter how good something may be,” Trump wrote.
“Massie should drop his fake act and start putting America First, but he doesn’t know how to get there — he doesn’t have a clue! MAGA should drop this pathetic LOSER, Tom Massie, like the plague!”
Trump’s ire stems from Massie’s recent collaboration with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on a war powers resolution aimed at limiting the president’s authority to strike Iran. The measure gained traction following Trump’s military actions against Iran’s Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow nuclear facilities, which Massie swiftly called unconstitutional.
This is not Constitutional. https://t.co/EU3fS5jcwb
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 21, 2025
Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday, Massie defended the resolution, stating, “I represent part of the coalition that elected President Trump. We were tired of endless wars in the Middle East, and tired of wars in Eastern Europe.”
He criticized Congress for failing to debate the issue, adding, “They should have called us all back. And, frankly, we should have debated this war powers resolution that Ro Khanna and I offered, instead of staying on vacation and doing fundraisers, and saying, ‘Oh, well, the president’s got this under control, we’re going to cede our constitutional authority.’”
WATCH:
ICYMI: @RepRoKhanna and I appeared on @FaceTheNation this morning to discuss our War Powers Resolution.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 22, 2025
Congress has the sole authority to authorize war. @SpeakerJohnson should bring our Resolution to the floor for a vote immediately. pic.twitter.com/m6FavbVKyH
The clash is not new. Massie, known for his skepticism of large-scale government initiatives, previously drew Trump’s wrath in 2020 by opposing a $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package aimed at staving off economic collapse.
More recently, he voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trump’s flagship legislative effort for the year and potentially his second term. Trump also took aim at Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) earlier this month for opposing the same bill, citing concerns over its impact on the national debt.
Trump, unyielding in his stance, defended the strikes on Iran as essential to prevent the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. “MAGA is not about lazy, grandstanding, nonproductive politicians, of which Thomas Massie is definitely one,” he wrote.
“He’s a simple minded ‘grandstander’ who thinks it’s good politics for Iran to have the highest level Nuclear weapon, while at the same time yelling ‘DEATH TO AMERICA’ at every chance they get. Iran has k*lled and maimed thousands of Americans.”
cc: @MassieforKY pic.twitter.com/w9vceqX9Jx
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) June 23, 2025
Promising to campaign vigorously in Kentucky, Trump vowed to support a “wonderful American Patriot” to unseat Massie in the Republican primary.
As the rift deepens, the battle between Trump’s vision for the GOP and Massie’s independent streak promises to intensify, with war powers and party loyalty at the heart of the showdown.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
