President Donald Trump launched a public broadside against Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) on Saturday night, expressing strong disapproval over her decision to campaign for Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) ahead of his May 19 Republican primary. The series of posts on Truth Social saw President Trump label Boebert "Weak Minded Lauren Boebert" and openly solicit challengers for her in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, signaling a potential withdrawal of his prior endorsement.
"Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my Honor to withdraw that Endorsement, and endorse a good and proper alternative." — President Donald Trump
The rift emerged as Boebert traveled to Kentucky to support Massie, a move that directly defied President Trump’s efforts to unseat the incumbent congressman. President Trump has invested significant resources into the Kentucky primary, endorsing former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein to challenge Massie and personally campaigning for Gallrein in March. Massie’s primary has become the most expensive House primary race in American history, attracting $25.6 million in advertising spending, according to AdImpact.
President Trump’s posts did not mince words, accusing Boebert of being a "Carpetbagger" for her 2024 decision to switch from Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District to the more reliably Republican 4th after narrowly winning reelection in 2022. "You remember Lauren moved to the District when it became obvious that she couldn’t win in her original Congressional District (The Third!) – A Carpetbagger, indeed!" President Trump wrote.
He extended his criticism to Boebert’s support for Massie, stating, "Boebert is campaigning for the Worst ‘Republican’ Congressman in the History of our Country, Thomas Massie, of the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and anybody who can be that dumb deserves a good Primary fight!" President Trump then placed his endorsement of Boebert, which previously called her "a MAGA warrior" and "an America First Patriot," in jeopardy. "Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my Honor to withdraw that Endorsement, and endorse a good and proper alternative," he posted, adding, "Just let me know, or announce your Candidacy, and I will be there for you!"
Earlier the same evening, President Trump also targeted Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) for appearing alongside Boebert at Massie campaign events. "Word is that Rand Paul and Lauren Boebert, two very difficult, and highly unreasonable, Republican Votes, are right now in the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, parading around like fools for the Worst ‘Republican’ Congressman in the History of our Party!" President Trump wrote, reiterating his label of Massie as a "disloyal, ungracious, and sanctimonious FOOL."
Representative Boebert responded within 30 minutes on Truth Social, showing no signs of backing down. "Yes, I saw the President’s post. No, I’m not mad or offended. I knew the risks when I agreed to stand by my friend Thomas Massie. I was, and will be, America First, America Always, and MAGA. Onward," she stated. The day prior, Boebert had posted a photo of herself with both President Trump and Massie, writing, "He’s put his life on the line to save this great country. I support both of these men. I’ve worked with both to preserve freedom and liberty. And if that makes you angry, bless your heart."
The core of President Trump’s opposition to Massie stems from several high-profile legislative disagreements during his second term. Massie voted against President Trump’s signature tax-and-spending legislation in June 2025 due to debt concerns, opposed military strikes against Iran as unconstitutional, and led efforts to release the Jeffrey Epstein files through a congressional discharge petition, which Boebert also signed despite pressure from President Trump to remove her name.
Massie has framed the upcoming primary as a "national referendum" on President Trump’s influence within the Republican Party, describing it as "by far the most challenging reelection I’ve ever faced." Kentucky State Senator Gex Williams, however, suggested that voters in Massie’s district are not forced to choose between the two. "If you are thinking that you can’t be for President Trump and for Thomas Massie, you certainly can be," Williams told attendees at a recent Lincoln Day Dinner.
Voter sentiment in Massie’s district appears divided. Steve Jarvis, a retired law enforcement officer, expressed his intent to oppose Massie for the first time, stating, "I understand voting your principle once or twice, but at some point in time when it becomes crucial, I think they have to get in line." Conversely, registered nurse Jana Kathman affirmed her support for Massie, explaining, "I just like him as a person, I like how he lives his life, and I know he stands very strong with his convictions," while also criticizing President Trump’s confrontational approach. "I don’t like when Trump plays the little games as soon as someone opposes him, but we know that’s how Trump lashes out."
Massie addressed the ongoing pressure from the White House with a medical analogy. "Once this race is over, I don’t think there’s any benefit to him attacking me," he said, adding, "I’ll have the antibodies from a natural infection. This will be the booster shot." The outcome of the Kentucky primary on May 19 will be closely watched as an indicator of President Trump’s sway over Republican voters and the boundaries of party loyalty.
