Full Breakdown
Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene Vacation in Costa Rica After Kentucky Primary Defeat
5/28/2026, 1:23:37 AM
Primary Defeat and Immediate Aftermath
On May 21, 2026, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) lost the Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District to Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL endorsed by President Donald Trump. The contest was the most expensive House primary on record, a point Trump highlighted. The defeat marked a setback for Massie, a frequent critic of Trump. Within two days, Massie traveled to Costa Rica, where he was photographed on a beach with his wife Carolyn Grace Moffa, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), and her fiancé Brian Glenn.
Background: Trump Endorsement and Primary Cost
The primary’s high cost and Trump’s backing of Gallrein underscored the president’s influence in the race. Massie’s opposition to Trump included public disputes over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and criticism of the administration’s approach to the Iran conflict, which intensified intra-party tensions.
Official Statements & Responses
Massie posted on X that filing with the Federal Election Commission enables him to raise money while he remains a current office holder, preserving his political operations as he decides his future office. President Trump publicly said that Massie deserved to lose, expressing satisfaction with the primary result. Greene posted a tribute on X praising Massie, linking their joint effort to release the Epstein files to their electoral loss and describing it as their downfall.
Criticism & Opposition
Trump’s comment framed Massie’s loss as deserved, underscoring the president’s influence in the primary. Greene warned that the party’s direction marginalizes dissenting voices and labeled the organization “MAGA Inc.” as out of touch with ordinary Americans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He deserves to lose,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “ I filed with FEC for the 2028 House race.” — Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative
- “I am proud and thankful to have served in the U.S. House of Representatives with my friend Thomas Massie, a giant among weak pathetic men,” — Marjorie Taylor Greene, former U.S. Representative
- “I refuse to be a ‘battered wife’ hoping it all goes away and gets better,” — Marjorie Taylor Greene, former U.S. Representative
What's Next
Massie’s 2028 filing enables continued fundraising and a possible run for his former Kentucky seat or another federal office. Greene, who resigned from Congress in early 2026, remains active on political issues and continues to criticize the Trump-aligned faction within the Republican Party.
On-the-Ground Reports
TMZ-published photos show the four individuals dining at a beachfront restaurant and posing together on the sand, all in casual tropical attire.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Neither Massie’s nor Greene’s offices responded to requests for comment, and no independent source verified the itinerary beyond the published photographs.
