Trump-Backed Candidate Unseats Massie in $33 Million Primary House Race

Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and farmer, won Kentucky’s Republican primary with about 54.9% of the vote, defeating Rep. Thomas Massie, who received about 45.1%. The race drew national attention because President Donald Trump intensely targeted Massie, driven by Massie’s votes supporting war powers restrictions on Trump’s Iran policy and Massie’s push for full release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The primary became one of the most expensive in U.S. history, with roughly $33 million spent on political advertising by the candidates and super PACs. Trump- and Israel-aligned groups spent about $19 million on ads supporting Gallrein and opposing Massie, including pro-Israel organizations with ties to AIPAC. The race also included AI-generated ads against both candidates.

"Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and farmer, won the Kentucky race with around 54.9 percent of the vote. Massie, meanwhile, garnered 45.1 percent of support from Republican voters in his district. The race drew national attention because of Trump's intense targeting of Massie. The president's ire was prompted by the congressman's votes in favor of war powers restrictions on his war in Iran, as well as Massie's insistence on the full release of files relating to alleged child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Trump once had a close friendship."

"The primary race is likely one of the most expensive in U.S. history. Between the two candidates (and super PACs involved in the race), around $33 million was spent on political advertising, the highest amount ever recorded for a primary race by AdImpact, a firm that has measured political spending in such races since 2018. In addition to Trump-aligned groups spending huge amounts in the race, several pro-Israel organizations, including some with ties to AIPAC, spent millions of dollars in favor of Gallrein and opposed to Massie, as the latter candidate has been a frequent critic of Israel."

"In total, Trump- and Israel-aligned groups spent around $19 million in ads for Gallrein and against Massie. The primary race was also notable for including AI-generated ads against each candidate, featuring fictionalized versions of bot"

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