By McKenna Horsley
Kentucky Lantern
Verbally lashing his political foes, especially Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, President Donald Trump rallied in Northern Kentucky Wednesday in support of Massie’s Republican challenger.
“He is disloyal to the Republican Party. He’s disloyal to the people of Kentucky. And most importantly — he is disloyal to the United States of America,” Trump said of Massie, after saying that “somebody with a warm body” could beat the seven-term incumbent.
Speaking in the contested 4th Congressional District, Trump heaped praise on his choice in the race, Republican Ed Gallrein, a Shelbyville farmer and former Navy SEAL, for his military service. Trump emphasized that Gallrein has a “complete and total endorsement” from the president.
Trump bashed Massie for clashing with him on policies, including Trump’s war on Iran, which Trump celebrated throughout his hour-long remarks. Massie has criticized the president for not seeking congressional approval for the attacks.
When not talking about Massie or Iran, the president focused his remarks on bashing former Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
A crowd of supporters packed into a warehouse operated by Verst Group Logistics in Hebron, outside of Burlington. Gathering around Trump, the attendees, mostly clad in red hats and Trump shirts, were flanked by nondescript aluminum cans — some of which were red, white and blue — and a large sign that said: “Lower prices. Bigger paychecks.”
Trump endorsed Gallrein last October after vowing to back a primary opponent against Massie, who has held the 4th Congressional District seat since 2013. Gallrein addressed the crowd before the president spoke, walking onto the stage to “Eye of the Tiger.” He told the crowd he was honored to have the president’s endorsement, took time to introduce himself and cast Massie as someone who has ““misrepresented” the district which stretches along the Ohio River from suburban Louisville to Ashland in the foothills of Appalachia.
Gallrein focused on his combat military experience and upbringing on a farm, adding that President Ronald Reagan’s leadership inspired him to go into military service. He said that he and Trump bonded over their fondness for Reagan when they met last year.
Gallrein was critical of Massie’s opposition to military action in Iran, calling it “unforgivable.” He then referred to a phrase from Kentucky-born President Abraham Lincoln: “United we stand, Divided we fall.”
“The president understands that. The Republican Party understands that, and you all understand that, and I understand that,” Gallrein said to cheers from the crowd . He led a “U-S-A” chant as he left the stage.
Massie drew ire from the president after he led the charge to release the federal investigation files into the late sex offender and financier Jeffery Epstein. Trump initially campaigned on releasing the files, but changed course, backing off the idea once he won a second term. Later, he encouraged Republicans to vote for Massie’s measure to release the files after Massie gained enough votes from Democrats and a few Republicans to force a vote on the measure. Some documents have been released.
Kentucky’s ongoing race for U.S. Senate was a backdrop to the rally, even though Trump did not directly address it. The top three Republicans in that race — U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Lexington businessman Nate Morris — were in attendance, and Trump recognized them from the stage.
Barr’s campaign bussed in supporters to the rally. Cameron was in the crowd shaking hands with other attendees and taking photos with them, as was Morris.
Last month, Barr endorsed Gallrein against Massie. Later that day, Morris followed suit. The move drew criticism from some Kentucky Republicans, including some in the General Assembly who are allied with Massie.
Someone appeared to pass out in the middle of Trump’s speech on the stands behind him, but he resumed addressing the crowd after the person stood back up.
Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz, known as “Dr. Oz” assisted first responders in caring for some crowd members who passed out.
Another guest of Trump was YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul, who briefly addressed the crowd. Trump said he predicted Paul would run for political office “in the not so distant future” and that he would give him his “complete and total endorsement.”
Kentucky’s Republican constitutional officers addressed the crowd ahead of Trump’s speech. Secretary of State Michael Adams highlighted the state’s photo ID requirement to vote, which is something Trump has long supported, as well as business growth in Kentucky under the Trump administration. Adams pointed to a significant investment in Kentucky by Apple for glass manufacturing last year.
Adams, seen as a possible candidate for governor in 2027, criticized the current office holder, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, particularly on education policies.
Adams expressed support for a bill awaiting action from Beshear after passing the General Assembly that would allow his office to oversee scholarship granting organizations for Kentucky students as part of a federal tax credit under the OBBBA. The SGOs may benefit public, private and charter schools.
“I look forward to helping our kids get a better education thanks to President Trump,” Adams said.
Auditor Allison Ball slammed the Beshear administration on a number of issues she called “waste, fraud and abuse” that her office has investigated in recent months, particularly failure to remove ineligible people from Medicaid rolls.
Another supporter of Trump, Attorney General Russell Coleman, said that with Trump “commonsense is finally back in our Commonwealth” and said his office stands with law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, earning loud applause from the room. The Trump administration’s use of ICE agents and expanding their number has become controversial in recent months after viral videos have shown ICE agents killing American citizens.
Trump rallied in Kentucky for Barr in 2018 at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. At the time, Barr was fending off a reelection bid in the 6th Congressional District against Democrat Amy McGrath.
Trump last rallied in Kentucky in 2019 for former Gov. Matt Bevin, who later lost his reelection to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
This story first appeared at The Kentucky Lantern, a member of States Newsroom, the largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. It is reprinted here under Creative Commons license.