Despite being out of office, former President Donald Trump still exerts considerable political influence. As a result, every Republican running for federal office in 2022 is vying for his endorsement.
On May 10, 2022, Trump endorsed Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie. Ironically, Trump did so after he called for Massie to be booted from the Republican Party following Massie’s demand for a roll call vote on the gargantuan Wuhan virus spending bill that was rolled out towards the end of March 2020.
“Congressman Thomas Massie is a Conservative Warrior for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District!” Trump declared in his endorsement statement. “An MIT graduate and a first-rate Defender of the Constitution, Thomas fights hard to Protect your Liberties, especially the First and Second Amendments, which are under siege by the Radical Left.”
“Looks like a third rate Grandstander named @RepThomasMassie, a Congressman from, unfortunately, a truly GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to vote against the new Save Our Workers Bill in Congress,” Trump declared in a tweet back on May 27, 2020.
“WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party!” Trump stated in a separate tweet.
Trump’s endorsement of Massie is a logical move. Massie is a strong immigraton patriot (he enjoys a 93% career score from NumbersUSA) and has been one of the most prominent non-interventionists throughout the Russo-Ukrainian War as evidenced by his votes against increased military aid to Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Russia.
Trump likely realized that Massie is not one of his enemies. In fact, whatever disagreements Trump and Massie may have on policy, they pale in comparison to the threats other Democrats and pro-establishment Republicans pose to Trump’s political existence.
Politicians can have honest disagreements on public policy, but it’s another thing for a politician to subvert a previously sitting president and completely derail his agenda.
It’s good to see Trump bury the hatchet and recognize that Massie still remains a solid ally for his right-wing populist agenda.
