Massie Talks Trump, Epstein Files at Reelection Launch Party

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie kicks off his campaign for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District amid a heated Republican primary challenge.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Garrison, hosted a campaign headquarters launch party in Florence, Kentucky, where he discussed his strained relationship with former President Donald Trump, his push for the release of the Epstein files, and his stance on gun rights. Massie is facing a tough Republican primary challenge from Ed Gallrein, who is backed by Trump and several billionaire donors.

Why it matters

Massie's reelection campaign has become a referendum on whether Republican voters in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District are willing to support a candidate that Trump wants to unseat, even though they've previously voted for Trump. The race highlights the divisions within the Republican party and the influence of Trump's endorsement power.

The details

At the launch party, Massie impersonated a phone call from Trump, in which the former president threatened to back Massie's primary opponent. Massie also criticized Republicans who were hesitant to speak out against the sexual abuse of minors by Jeffrey Epstein, calling them "cowards." He touted his support for gun rights and his introduction of the National Constitutional Carry Act.

  • Massie kicked off his reelection campaign with a headquarters launch party on February 21, 2026.
  • Massie survived a primary challenge from Trump in 2020, winning with over 80% of the vote.

The players

Thomas Massie

A seven-term Republican U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District, who is facing a tough primary challenge from a candidate backed by former President Donald Trump and several billionaire donors.

Ed Gallrein

Massie's Republican primary challenger, who is backed by former President Donald Trump and several billionaire donors.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President, who has publicly disagreed with Massie on federal spending, international military intervention, and the release of the Epstein files, and is backing Massie's primary opponent.

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What they’re saying

“Never in your life before have you seen the way in which I will come at you. I'm more popular than you in Kentucky. I'm backing your primary opponent and you're gonna lose,”

— Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative

“Why is it in these monarchies, in these socialist countries, they are resigning and stepping down and going to jail but it's not happening here? It's because there is a corruption happening that is deeper than I even realized.”

— Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Massie's reelection campaign has become a proxy battle for the direction of the Republican party, with Trump backing a challenger to unseat a conservative lawmaker who has been critical of the former president. The race will test the influence of Trump's endorsement power and the willingness of Republican voters to support a candidate at odds with the former president.