Trump Escalates Pressure on GOP Congressman as Massie Scores Record Fundraising Quarter

Even as former President Donald Trump escalates his GOP primary challenge, Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie had his best fundraising quarter ever from July to September. Massie raised about $768,000 in donations over those three months, up from $584,000 in the previous quarter, according to newly published campaign finance documents.

Massie’s fundraising rise coincides with an intra-party conflict. He has always been a maverick Republican, voting against Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and warned that the executive branch lacks power to launch military operations without Congress. Trump has called Massie “lazy,” “disingenuous,” and “the worst Republican Congressman” for defying party dogma.

This pressure campaign against Massie has used language and organization. Trump has expressed interest in sponsoring an intra-party opponent who could remove him, and allies have created a MAGA-aligned super PAC to oppose Massie in the 2026 primary. That PAC, “MAGA KY,” is one of Trump’s most direct assaults to a Republican senator.

Massie seems unfazed by the hostility. The campaign has nearly $1.7 million in cash reserves, including monies from his 2024 reelection attempt. Recent fundraising was mostly from tiny individual donations, demonstrating grassroots support. Senator Rand Paul and other libertarians in Congress have also given him small amounts of money.

In a recent Kentucky district tour, Massie and Senator Paul stressed their shared commitment to constitutional oversight, limited government, and local accountability. He saw the dispute as a test of whether contrarian voices can survive in a GOP increasingly dedicated to Trump.

Trump and his campaign-aligned strategists hope to unite opposition support behind one competitor to prevent fragmenting the anti-Massie vote. The super PAC may spend heavily on attack ads. Massie has increased his communications and grassroots efforts, using his reputation as an independent voice rather than a party conformist.

This election could affect more than one congressional district, say observers. It may indicate Trump’s influence in Republican primaries and if Congress can resist him on principle without electoral consequences. Massie must survive politically and prove that standing separate from party leadership is possible in today’s party dynamics.

Sources
AP News
Washington Post
The Washington Times
Business Insider
Time