Full Breakdown
Kyle Rittenhouse Endorses Rep. Thomas Massie, Heightening Intra-Republican Conflict Ahead of Kentucky Primary
5/18/2026, 12:34:43 AM
Rittenhouse Endorses Massie at Kentucky Gun-Range Event
On May 16, 2026, Kyle Rittenhouse appeared at a “day on the range” event near Burlington, Kentucky, to back state Rep. TJ Roberts and to publicly endorse Rep. Thomas Massie. In front of gun-enthusiasts, Rittenhouse called Massie “the greatest congressman, I believe, in a very long time,” and highlighted Massie’s record of voting “conservative 92 percent of the time, and the 8 percent he isn’t, he’s voting to expose pedophiles.” The endorsement arrives as Massie seeks re-election in the May 19 Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th district.
Massie’s Rift with Trump
Massie broke with former President Donald Trump in 2025 after voting against Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and championing the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Trump responded by recruiting retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein to challenge Massie, labeling the incumbent a “loser” on Truth Social and urging voters to “get this LOSER out of politics.” Trump-ally Rep. Lauren Boebert echoed the criticism, calling Massie the “worst Republican congressman” in the state.
Official Statements
Gallrein pledged to “represent their constituents more than their party,” noting he will keep a relationship with Trump. Trump’s Truth Social posts called Massie a “loser” and urged his removal; Boebert called him the “worst ‘Republican’ Congressman in the History of our Country.” Massie’s congressional record shows a 92 % conservative voting rate, with the remaining 8 % supporting the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Rittenhouse said the media “railed against me… I advocate for the Second Amendment every day.” Denniston said Massie “instilled a great deal of hope for the American people.”
MAGA Backlash
MAGA commentators reacted sharply. Vince Langman, a MAGA booster with over 30,000 X followers, wrote, “Wow! Kyle Rittenhouse turned out to be a complete douchebag, we should’ve left him to the liberal wolves in 2020!” Former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis defended Rittenhouse, labeling the criticism “predictably gross behavior for what has become a godless populist movement.” The exchange highlights a growing split between Trump-aligned activists and libertarian-leaning Republicans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He is the greatest congressman, I believe, in a very long time,” — Kyle Rittenhouse, supporter
- “conservative 92 percent of the time, and the 8 percent he isn’t, he’s voting to expose pedophiles.” — Kyle Rittenhouse
- “Wow! Kyle Rittenhouse turned out to be a complete douchebag, we should’ve left him to the liberal wolves in 2020!” — Vince Langman, MAGA booster
- “These morons ARE the leftist wolves, just in 'MAGA' clothing.” — Jenna Ellis, former Trump attorney
What’s Next
The May 19 primary will decide whether Massie retains his seat or yields to Trump-backed Gallrein. A Massie victory would preserve his libertarian, anti-Trump stance; a Gallrein win could deepen Trump’s influence over Kentucky’s congressional delegation and reshape the state’s Republican platform ahead of the November general election.
