GOP Rep. Trashes Trump for Soliciting a MAGA Candidate to Run Against Republican Rep: ‘Ridiculous Bullying Tactics’
(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) accused Donald Trump of using “ridiculous bullying tactics” when the former president posted on social media that he’s looking for a “MAGA Republican” to primary Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL).
Trump has denounced Lee for supporting the Ron DeSantis (R-FL) presidential campaign, instead of Trump’s. Once DeSantis dropped out, however, Lee threw her support behind Trump.
Massie posted to X (formerly Twitter) to defend Lee and chastise Trump:
This is unhelpful and unwarranted. @RepLaurelLee is a conservative thoughtful member of the judiciary committee. She endorsed DeSantis for President but then endorsed Trump when DeSantis got out of the race. More of my colleagues should call out these ridiculous bullying tactics.
This is unhelpful and unwarranted. @RepLaurelLee is a conservative thoughtful member of the judiciary committee. She endorsed DeSantis for President but then endorsed Trump when DeSantis got out of the race. More of my colleagues should call out these ridiculous bullying tactics. pic.twitter.com/xY13AfQv6M
— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) March 25, 2024
The Trump post to which Massie was responding read:
Any great MAGA Republicans looking to run against Laurel Lee in Florida’s 15th Congressional District? IF SO, PLEASE STEP FORWARD!
In a January interview with The Hill, Massie said he wasn’t afraid of backlash from Trump, even though he, too, supported DeSantis for president.
Massie repeated the “bullying” claim when speaking with Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream in January:
Massie said he thinks other members are endorsing Trump out of fear of retribution if Trump wins. “They’re either afraid that he will get involved in their primaries, or they’re afraid that if he does win, he’ll be vindictive,” Massie said…“It’s sort of bullying tactics from the former president,” Massie added.
