Trump aims to defeat dissident Republicans in key May primaries
President Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to defeat Republican lawmakers who have opposed him by endorsing primary challengers in key May elections. The upcoming primaries in Kentucky, Indiana, and Louisiana serve as critical tests of Trump's influence within the GOP. Lawmakers like Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Bill Cassidy face serious challenges from Trump-backed candidates.
- ▪Trump has endorsed primary challengers against Republican lawmakers who opposed him on issues such as redistricting and impeachment.
- ▪Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky is facing a tough primary challenge from Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL.
- ▪Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who voted to convict Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial, is being challenged in the GOP primary by Trump-endorsed candidates.
- ▪Trump’s political operation has spent millions and deployed top allies to support candidates aligned with his agenda.
- ▪Massie argues that fear of retaliation is discouraging other Republicans from defying Trump, giving him outsized control over the party.
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2026 ElectionTrump aims to defeat dissident Republicans in key May primariesTrump has endorsed primary challengers to multiple GOP lawmakers, with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky as his top target.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00President Donald Trump at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, in July.Scott Morgan / Bloomberg via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 29, 2026, 5:00 AM EDTBy Bridget Bowman, Matt Dixon, Henry J. Gomez and Melanie ZanonaPresident Donald Trump’s yearslong revenge tour against select members of his own party faces big tests in May as Trump looks to oust multiple Republican lawmakers who have crossed him in the past.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Primaries in Kentucky, Indiana…
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