May 20, 2026 6:00 AM EDT
Ed Gallrein, a Republican candidate backed by President Donald Trump, defeated Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie in GOP primary Tuesday.
READ MORE: Massie's loss leaves no doubt about Trump's power over the GOP. 6 takeaways from Tuesday's primaries
The result showed the president's persisting influence over GOP voters, adding to a growing number of Trump-backed primary challengers to defeat Republican lawmakers who angered him in his second term.
Massie, who has served in Congress since 2012, fell into Trump's crosshairs in part by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and denouncing the war in Iran.
