In an intriguing Congressional primary in Kentucky, roughly $10 million is being poured into the election, highlighting President Trump’s call to action against incumbent Thomas Massie. This comes at a time when Congress appears to be stepping back from its constitutional duties, and the stakes for the midterms are escalating.
If the Game Is Fixed, Why Keep Score?
Navigating American political coverage amidst the ongoing polycrisis often evokes a sense of futility, as if the game is rigged.
The U.S. Congress has largely relinquished its crucial constitutional responsibilities—specifically taxation and the power to declare war. Instead, its focus seems to shift towards fundraising and shirking accountability.
The Supreme Court, now openly political, has undermined the Voting Rights Act, resulting in the loss of several Democratic congressional seats in Southern states.
Both political parties have engaged in aggressive gerrymandering of state boundaries where they hold power, with their efforts often curtailed by a judicial system leaning towards the GOP.
Regardless, the millions being spent and the widespread online engagement in this Congressional primary suggest there is significance behind these expenditures.
This article aims to document the unfolding events in an informative and engaging way.
Trump Moves Fast to Capitalize on Supremes’ Ruling
Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision declaring Louisiana’s congressional map an unconstitutional gerrymander, Trump wasted no time in rallying his supporters. This ruling has substantial implications for the Voting Rights Act, potentially allowing Republicans to redraw congressional maps in the South to their advantage, thereby skewing the U.S. House in favor of the GOP for years.
Trump urged immediate action from states, even those already in the voting process, to revise their maps in accordance with the ruling for the 2026 election. “Administrative convenience pales in comparison,” he asserted on Truth Social. “The result will be that Republicans gain more than 20 House Seats in the upcoming Midterms!”
Trump Crushed Indiana GOP Opposition
As Trump heads into next week’s Kentucky GOP primary, he carries momentum akin to his past successes in Venezuela and Iran, reports NBC:
The significant defeats faced by five incumbents—some seasoned legislators in Indiana—demonstrate Trump’s substantial sway over the Republican Party, despite his diminishing approval rating amongst the general public amid rising gas prices and the war in Iran.
Trump’s influence in these traditionally quiet local primaries attracted an avalanche of financial support and national spotlight, with approximately $12 million allocated for advertisements across seven contests, including challenges to established state senators, largely funded by Trump-friendly external groups.
Yet, in a surprising rebuke, the Republican-controlled state Senate rejected a new congressional map backed by Trump, intended to create two additional GOP seats. This battle over redistricting, occurring in the lead-up to the narrowly contested midterm elections, showcases the tensions within the party.
Despite Trump’s push, many lawmakers in Indiana found themselves paying for challenging his authority just six months later.
Trump may have faced setbacks, but his resilience continues to solidify his grip on the GOP, even as some of his original MAGA supporters have been replaced by neocons and “Never Trumpers” like Lindsey Graham and Ben Shapiro.
One of the traditional Republicans who joined Trump early in shaping his political strategy is Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
Mrs. WWE Wrestling Plays for Real
Linda McMahon’s political influence stems from her personal wealth, largely acquired through her husband, Vince, who created a wrestling monopoly in the U.S.
There’s an insightful profile on McMahon in The New Yorker (archived). Here’s an excerpt detailing her political journey:
By the time Trump first ran for President in 2016, Linda McMahon was a prominent conservative donor, having run twice for Senate as a moderate Republican in blue-state Connecticut. Known for her relentless campaigning, McMahon invested nearly fifty million dollars in each of her campaigns—an unprecedented sum at the time—yet she lost both races by a significant margin.
Despite her defeats, her commitment to the GOP was recognized, and she earned a reputation as a capable manager during her tenure at the SBA, where she made substantial strides compared to her predecessors.
Following Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, McMahon and two senior White House advisers convened with him, proposing the formation of a think tank to sustain his agenda, though lacking a clear vision. MacMahon emphasized a focus on actionable initiatives over theoretical ones, resulting in the establishment of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI).
Under McMahon’s leadership, the AFPI laid the groundwork for a potential second Trump Administration, drafting numerous executive orders for Trump while quietly positioning itself against established conservative institutions.
The details also highlight McMahon’s alliance with Texas billionaire Tim Dunn, as well as her ambitions to dismantle the very department she oversees.
Trump Leads Effort to Purge Thomas Massie from Congress
A recent article from Newsday outlines the current landscape:
Retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein has entered the 4th District race with Trump’s endorsement. Armed with significant support and a super PAC funded by Trump affiliates, he aims to dethrone Massie, an incumbent who has previously resisted Trump’s agenda.
According to NOTUS, Massie stands out:
He is unique among Republican members, publicly challenging Trump while campaigning for election. As Massie seeks reelection in Kentucky’s 4th District, he does so in defiance of Trump’s attempts to unseat him. Trump’s dissatisfaction stemmed from Massie’s votes against key legislation and his push for the release of Epstein-related federal files.
Massie, who highlights a record of voting alongside Trump 91% of the time, insists that his campaign is focused on aligning with the agenda Trump originally proposed.
Starting with a notable polling lead, Massie has since faced a shifting landscape dominated by money, as noted by Axios:
Now, the campaign has devolved into a fierce exchange of aggressive allegations and personal attacks, accentuated by the use of AI deepfakes.
Ads from a pro-Gallrein super PAC depict a fabricated Massie in compromising situations with progressive representatives, while anti-Gallrein groups have labeled him derogatory terms, questioning his conservative credentials.
With over $25.6 million spent on ads, this contest is now the costliest U.S. House primary in history, surpassing the previous record from the last election cycle.
As of early April, polls indicated that advertising expenses had successfully swayed older voters away from Massie.
In a twist, alleged “rat family blogging” may have tilted the competition against him, as one example illustrates:
🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨
I’ve gathered evidence showing Massie’s involvement in romantic trips, a claim made against him during the campaign.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 12, 2026
Massie’s supporters have voiced their frustration, but the damage may have been done:
Everyone should read and share
Short version:
The Loomer hit piece is based on recycled accusations with no evidence. This is purely a political maneuver to manipulate the election.— Clint Russell (@LibertyLockPod) May 13, 2026
Market predictions are already leaning away from Massie due to this latest assault:
.@Polymarket – KY-04 Republican Primary (chance of winning)
🟥 Ed Gallrein: 54% (+30)
🟥 Thomas Massie: 46% (-29)(+/- change since January 19)
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 13, 2026
It looks increasingly likely that the upcoming election could favor another victory for the bad actors.
Stay strong, freedom advocates.
