Hegseth unleashes on Massie in GOP primary showdown against Trump-backed Navy SEAL vet
Trump-backed Ed Gallrein gets boost from Defense Secretary Hegseth on the eve of Kentucky's GOP primary challenge against Rep. Thomas Massie.
TL;DR
- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth campaigned for Ed Gallrein, a Trump-backed challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District GOP primary.
- Hegseth criticized Massie's record as "too much grandstanding, too few great votes" and urged support for a candidate "willing to help him [Trump] win."
- Massie perceived Hegseth's involvement as an indicator of his strong polling numbers and defended his independent stance on issues like foreign aid.
- The race is noted as the most expensive congressional primary in history, with significant ad spending from Trump's allies and pro-Israel groups.
- Trump has publicly endorsed Gallrein and urged voters to oust Massie, calling him "the worst congressman in the history of our country."
- Hegseth's appearance at a political event was unusual for a civilian head of the military, with the Pentagon stating he was acting in his personal capacity.