Scoop: Trump launches MAGA PAC in effort to oust Rep. Massie from Congress

President Trump 's political operation has launched an aggressive effort to unseat Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, its first such effort to defeat a sitting Republican incumbent, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: By going after Massie, Trump's team is looking to put wayward Republicans on notice that they're ready to play hardball.
Massie has attacked Trump over his strike on Iran, saying on X that it was "not Constitutional," prompting the president to fire back on Truth Social that the congressman is "not MAGA."
He also called Massie "weak, ineffective" and "disrespectful to our great military, and all that they stand for."
Massie was one of two House Republicans to vote against Trump's "big beautiful bill" last month, leading Trump to declare that he should be " voted out of office."
Zoom out: Trump's $500 million political apparatus is the most powerful, well-funded force in American politics — and gives Trump a weapon with which to target any lawmaker who crosses him.
Zoom in: Trump's team has launched Kentucky MAGA, a super PAC devoted to defeating Massie in the May 2026 primary.
The organization will be run by Trump's senior political advisers, Tony Fabrizio and Chris LaCivita.
LaCivita said the PAC would spend "whatever it takes" to defeat Massie.
Plans for taking on Massie were in the works before the congressman decided to call Trump's attack on Iran unconstitutional, a Trump aide said.
Behind the curtain: Trump's operation has been talking with potential Republican challengers to Massie.
Aides say the goal is to rally around one Massie opponent, so that multiple rivals don't splinter support.
The intrigue: The Trump team earlier this month quietly commissioned a survey gauging Massie's support in his conservative central Kentucky district and found that the congressman would be vulnerable to a Trump-backed primary challenge.
The survey, which was conducted by Trump pollster John McLaughlin, found that 52 percent would support a Trump-endorsed candidate and 23 percent support Massie.
Eighty-seven percent approved of Trump, compared to 52 percent for Massie, according to the poll, a copy of which was obtained by Axios.
Seventy-four percent said they supported the "big beautiful bill."
Yes, but: Massie, who was first elected in 2012, easily survived primary challenges in the last three cycles.
His advisers argue that his libertarian-minded, independent streak endears him to voters.
What they're saying: " Massie's long-time opposition to President Trump's working family tax cuts -- and really anything to do with President Trump -- is coming to an end," LaCivita said in a statement. "Thomas 'Little Boy' Massie will be fired."
Massie told Axios: "Any serious person considering running should spend money on an independent poll before letting swampy consultants take them for an embarrassing ride."
The background: Massie and Trump's contentious relationship dates back to Trump's first term.
In 2020, Massie opposed Trump's COVID relief package, leading the president to call for the congressman to be thrown "out of the Republican Party."
The congressman was one of only six House Republicans to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Trump in last year's GOP presidential primary.
After Massie opposed a Trump-backed government spending bill this spring, Trump called the congressman a "GRANDSTANDER."

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