President Donald Trump launched an early morning attack on three Republican lawmakers on his Truth Social account, calling them out by name and hitting them with sharp insults. He targeted Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, saying he would soon be “out of office,” Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who recently lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger, and Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, whom Trump called a “major sleazebag”.
According to Raw Story, Massie, who lost his primary to former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, got the harshest treatment of the three. Trump’s post also included a warning about the Iran deal, saying it would either be “great and meaningful” or there would be no deal at all. This move fits into a broader pattern of Trump going after Republicans who have crossed him or failed to meet his expectations.
The attack is the latest chapter in what many see as Trump’s revenge campaign against Republican critics. His influence within the party has been strong enough to back primary challengers who have successfully ousted sitting lawmakers, and that appears to be far from over.
Trump’s attacks on his own party are starting to hurt Republican chances in upcoming elections
Trump’s approval rating has dropped to a record low of 37%, according to a recent New York Times/Siena poll. For more on how low Trump’s approval numbers have fallen, the numbers paint a troubling picture for his party. Republicans also trail Democrats 39% to 50% on the generic congressional ballot, showing that his internal party battles may be doing real damage heading into competitive elections.
According to The Guardian, conservative author and broadcaster Charlie Sykes put it plainly: “He’s tightening his grip on his party, for better or for worse. The problem is that most of his victories are coming at the expense of the Republican party rather than the Democrats at this point, which ought to be something of a warning sign.”
Former Republican congressional aide Kurt Bardella, who is now a Democrat, pointed out the practical problem with attacking sitting lawmakers: “They’re still in office, and if you’re going to want to do anything for the rest of the calendar year, you’re gonna need their votes and you’ve just torched them.”
Trump has also endorsed Texas state attorney general Ken Paxton, who has faced both impeachment and indictment during his time in office. This has added another layer of controversy for Republicans who are already trying to hold together a party showing clear signs of strain. Trump has also faced criticism for how he talks about the U.S. economy, with many saying his messaging often backfires.
Republicans now find themselves in a difficult spot, needing to keep their party’s base happy while also preparing for general elections in districts where Trump’s brand may hurt more than it helps. The more Trump tightens his grip through primary threats and public attacks, the harder it becomes for the party to present a united front to voters outside the MAGA base.
Published: May 25, 2026 01:42 pm