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GOP lawmakers brushed aside concerns over President Donald Trump targeting GOP incumbents after Rep. Thomas Massie’s, R-Ky., loss, as several Republicans stressed the need for unity to advance the Republican agenda.
Massie lost to congressional candidate Ed Gallrein in Kentucky’s Republican primary last week after months of escalating attacks from Trump, who publicly criticized the Kentucky Republican over repeated breaks with the president and opposition to parts of the GOP agenda.
“Primaries happen,” Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital. “We move through that, but it’s back to the business of the American people, so you know, my hope is that everybody just gets focused on that.”
MTG SAYS GOP’S FUTURE ‘DESTROYED’ AFTER TRUMP-BACKED PRIMARY CHALLENGER DEFEATS THOMAS MASSIE IN PRIMARY
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., speaks in Hollywood, Florida, as he campaigns for Florida governor with backing from former President Donald Trump. (Al Diaz/Getty Images)
Massie had long been one of the most outspoken Republican critics of parts of Trump’s agenda in Congress, drawing repeated attacks from the president over spending fights and other legislative disputes. Trump intensified his criticism of Massie in the months leading up to the primary, backing efforts to oust him from Congress.
The stakes are particularly high for Republicans as the party works to maintain its slim House majority over Democrats while navigating internal divisions over Trump’s agenda and political influence.
Despite speculation that Trump’s strategy of targeting GOP incumbents could be harmful to the party, many lawmakers stood by Trump’s decision to make his personal endorsements as he sees fit.
“I think Trump is going to be Trump, and not everybody’s going to agree with what he does,” Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, said. “The fact is that he’s been incredibly effective.”
“He gets to endorse who he wants to endorse,” Sen. John Hoeven,…
