WASHINGTON, May 16 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a primary challenge on Saturday for hardline conservative Representative Lauren Boebert, until now a staunch Trump ally, after she campaigned for maverick Representative Thomas Massie in his Kentucky district.
• “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!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
• Boebert, a Colorado congresswoman, responded with a post on X: “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.”
• Trump has vowed to unseat Massie, a Republican who has defied the president in Congress over major legislation and the Iran war and led his party’s drive to release government files on the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• The president’s quest to unseat Massie poses a test for his hold on the Republican Party.
• Trump’s social media post came hours after Boebert made campaign appearances for Massie, who faces Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL, in Tuesday’s Republican primary in Kentucky.
• “Is anyone interested in running against Weak Minded Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District?” Trump posted. “Just let me know, or announce your Candidacy, and I will be there for you!”
(Reporting by David MorganEditing by Rod Nickel)
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