Massie says – Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, facing a primary on Tuesday, says out-of-state billionaires and pro-Israel groups are trying to “buy a seat” in Congress, portraying the race as a referendum on foreign policy. President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked him i
Days before the Tuesday primary, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie sounded defiant, arguing that his race has attracted large sums from outside Kentucky aimed at unseating him.
In an interview on Sunday. Massie told ABC News’ “This Week” that out-of-state billionaires “have funneled millions of dollars in here” in an effort to “buy a seat” in Congress.. He described the level of spending as unusually high for a primary. and said it has become “the most expensive race in the history of Congress for a primary.”
Massie also framed the contest as tied to Israel and U.S.. foreign policy.. On Friday. he told a reporter that the election had turned into a referendum “on whether Israel gets to buy seats in Congress.” During the Sunday segment. “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos pressed him on what he meant by the comments.
Massie said two of the individuals he named—major GOP donors Miriam Adelson and Paul Singer—along with the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) and American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), are “all part of the Israeli lobby.” Adelson and Singer, he said, are both major AIPAC contributors.
“That’s where all the money comes from, and it will be a referendum on foreign policy, whether Israel gets to dictate that by, you know, bullying members of Congress, and I’m the one they haven’t been able to bully, so they’re putting all the brunt, the force on me,” Massie said.
He added that he believes his opponents are acting out of desperation. “That’s why the president is losing sleep and tweeting about this,” the Kentucky congressman said.
The statement drew a direct response from the broader political spotlight Trump has placed on the race. President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Massie, including on Sunday morning, after another Republican Trump wanted to oust—Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy—lost his primary on Saturday.
Trump posted on his social media platform: “Bad Congressman Tom Massie voted against Tax Cuts. the Border Wall. our Military and Law Enforcement.. Actually, he voted against almost everything that is good.. The Worst Republican Congressman in History.. Kentucky, vote the bum out on Tuesday.. We can’t live with this troublemaker for another two years.. He is a true negative force!!!”
Massie is not the only candidate seeking the seat.. He faces a primary challenge from former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.. Trump endorsed Gallrein before he entered the race: in an Oct.. 17 Truth Social post. Trump said he hoped Gallrein “gets into the Race against Massie. ” and four days later Gallrein filed and entered the contest.
The seven-term congressman. who has clashed with Trump throughout his second stint in the White House. argued he can still win despite Trump’s opposition.. He said his campaign has backing from right-to-life groups and gun organizations. and that members of Congress have come to Kentucky to campaign with him.
“I have the endorsement of the right to life organizations, the gun organizations.. I had four members of Congress come here yesterday and campaign with me.. So, my situation is a little bit different [than Sen.. Cassidy’s],” Massie said.. “Plus. I’ve had millions of dollars come in from the grassroots. tens of thousands of donors. to my website. thomasmassie.com.. And it’s still coming in.. And that’s how we’re going to beat them.”
ABC News reached out to the RJC, AIPAC, Adelson’s foundation, Singer’s foundation and Singer’s investment management fund for comment in response to Massie’s statements, but no replies were received.
The pattern Massie described is consistent across his comments: he points to outside billionaires and specific organizations as the source of large money flows. says those efforts are meant to force a change of lawmakers through pressure. and then ties his own bid to surviving that pressure while portraying Trump’s attacks as a reaction to his standing in the polls.
With Tuesday’s vote approaching. Massie’s campaign is centered on whether voters see the contest as local versus outside influence. while Trump’s messaging emphasizes Massie’s record and urges supporters to replace him.. For Massie. the argument is that the race has turned into a fight over who gets to shape policy in Congress—especially when it comes to foreign policy—and he says he’s prepared to win anyway.
Thomas Massie Kentucky primary Donald Trump Ed Gallrein Miriam Adelson Paul Singer AIPAC RJC foreign policy Israel lobby campaign fundraising