Pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC cheered the primary defeat of Representative Thomas Massie at the hands of Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein in Kentucky.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Thomas Massie lost the Kentucky GOP primary to Ed Gallrein, a challenger backed by President Donald J. Trump, on Tuesday, with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) being quick to celebrate. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “Pro-Israel Americans are proud to help defeat anti-Israel candidates! Being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics!” – AIPAC on X (formerly Twitter) 📰 DETAIL: Massie had drawn the ire of both Trump and AIPAC over his opposition to the administration’s Middle East policy, particularly the military intervention in Iran. The Kentucky congressman also voted to force the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release the Epstein Files, opposed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and opposed the administration’s strikes on cartel vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Gallrein beat him by roughly 55 percent to 45 percent on Tuesday, after Trump branded Massie “the worst Republican congressman in history.” The race became the most expensive House primary on record, with enormous resources poured into removing Massie from office. 🎯 IMPACT: Gallrein’s win comes alongside Clay Fuller’s victory in the Georgia district formerly represented by Israel critic Marjorie Taylor Greene. AIPAC noted Wednesday morning: “Ed Gallrein’s victory in KY and Clay Fuller’s win in GA ensures two outspoken pro-Israel voices are positioned to fill seats previously held by outspoken detractors, Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene,” and added that their community was “proud to help pro-Israel candidates win” both contests. |
Pro-Israel Americans are proud to help defeat anti-Israel candidates!
Being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics! https://t.co/TtBhf7y7TW— AIPAC 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@AIPAC) May 20, 2026
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