Trump Tightens Grip on GOP After Massie’s Defeat in Kentucky Primary
Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of US politics. Former President Donald Trump has consolidated his influence over the Republican Party following the defeat of independent-minded Congressman Thomas Massie in the Kentucky Republican House primary. Massie was unseated by Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL and farmer, who was personally endorsed by Trump.
Massie lost the primary by a margin of 55% to 45% in what became the most expensive House primary in US history, with spending reportedly exceeding $32 million.
Trump actively campaigned for Gallrein, urging voters to support him over Massie, who had drawn Trump’s criticism after diverging from the former president on several prominent issues, including the war on Iran, the release of the Epstein files, and Trump’s signature tax legislation.
“There is a yearning in this country for somebody who will vote for principles over party,” Massie said in his concession speech.
“If the legislative branch always votes whichever way the wind is blowing, then we have mob rule,” he added.
Massie’s defeat marks the latest in a series of proxy battles where Trump has successfully backed challengers to oust Republican incumbents who dissent from him, including in states such as Indiana and Louisiana.
The election coincided with primaries in five other states—Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, and Idaho—where voters selected nominees for the November general election in what was the largest primary night of the year to date. A comprehensive summary of these results will be provided shortly.
The next significant test of Trump’s sway will occur in Texas, where the state’s controversial Attorney General Ken Paxton recently secured Trump’s endorsement in his bid to unseat four-term Republican Senator John Cornyn in the upcoming Republican primary runoff.
Netanyahu 'Will Do Whatever I Want' on Israel Striking Iran, Says Trump
On Wednesday morning, when asked about how long Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would delay resuming strikes on Iran, Trump responded,
“He’s fine. He’ll do whatever I want him to do.”
Trump also referenced a poll claiming he had 99% approval in Israel, though this poll has not been independently verified by US.
He added,
“I could run for prime minister, so maybe after I do this, I’ll go to Israel and run for prime minister.”
Immigration Activists Allege Intimidation Following Federal Raids
Federal agents have conducted raids on the homes of three southern immigration activists, which the activists claim is part of an escalating campaign to intimidate a volunteer-led advocacy group organizing neighborhood ICE-watch patrols.
On May 13, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigative branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), executed a pre-dawn raid at the home and business of Leonardo Martinez. Martinez’s group operates a rapid response hotline and supports immigrant families across Ventura County. The homes of two other current and former VC Defensa volunteers were also targeted. No arrests were made during these raids.
Members of VC Defensa had previously been arrested last October in connection with protests. The group alerted the community to July raids after spotting a government convoy heading to local greenhouses, which mobilized large numbers of protesters.
The July raids resulted in numerous Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests, with immigration agents, accompanied by the National Guard, confronting demonstrators.
Cuban American Lawmakers Advocate for Raul Castro Indictment
Cuban American lawmakers held a news conference to advocate for the indictment of Raul Castro, the 94-year-old former Cuban leader and brother of Fidel Castro, ahead of an anticipated announcement from Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general.
Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart stated,
“We have a president now who won’t look the other way. The day of justice is finally arriving.”
Other Cuban American leaders, including Florida Congressman Carlos Gimenez, New York Representative Nicole Malliotakis, and Florida Congresswoman Maria Salazar, commended the Trump administration for pursuing justice against Castro.
This move represents a further escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign against Cuba. Economic sanctions on the island nation remain stringent, additional political and military officials were sanctioned this week, and Trump has repeatedly threatened to overthrow the Cuban regime if diplomatic efforts fail.
Gimenez remarked on Wednesday morning,
“Finally the Trump administration has taken notice. Justice come a little late but justice will be served.”
Diaz-Balart indicated that Raul Castro could be indicted for his role in the downing of civilian aircraft 30 years ago, which killed three Americans conducting humanitarian missions in the Florida Strait. This incident precipitated the longstanding embargo on Cuba currently in place.
Salazar emphasized her representation of South Florida, the heart of the Cuban exile community, stating that Cubans have awaited this moment for three decades and desire to feel safe.
Georgia Mayor Resigns After Attempt to Fire Entire Police Force
The mayor of Cohutta, Georgia, Ron Shinnick, resigned shortly after attempting to terminate the town’s entire police department, a decision later reversed by the local governing council. The action was part of a political dispute involving Shinnick, his wife, and members of the police force.
In a resignation letter dated May 15, reviewed by , Shinnick did not reference the attempted police department dissolution, which had attracted international media attention. Instead, he cited family health concerns as the reason for stepping down from the mayoral post he had held since 2014.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Shinnick wrote, assigning immediate effect to his resignation. “But I believe it is in the best interest of both the town and myself at this time.”
Shinnick, aged 70, had dismissed the police chief and 10 officers by May 6. A sign posted in the town of approximately 930 residents announced the police department’s dissolution and advised residents to contact a non-emergency county government number for assistance.
Shinnick later explained that his actions were in response to comments made by officers on social media. A police sergeant indicated the issue involved a complaint officers had raised concerning Shinnick’s wife, Pam, who had served as the town clerk before being fired in January.
On the morning following the primaries, Trump continued posting on Truth Social about the congressmen, governor, lieutenant governor, and senator candidates he endorsed who won their races on Tuesday.
In 13 posts, he named Republican winners from Idaho, Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky, concluding with a claim that 100% of the 37 candidates he endorsed have won their contests.
Trump is scheduled to deliver the commencement speech at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, at 11 a.m. today, where he is expected to discuss these electoral victories further.
Georgia Republican Races for Governor and Senate Advance to June Runoffs
The Republican primary for Georgia governor will proceed to a June runoff between Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson, excluding Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Secretary of State and a longtime political adversary of Trump, who finished a distant third.
Jackson, a political newcomer with limited prior recognition in the state, significantly impacted the race by investing nearly $50 million of his own funds into campaign advertising. Republican candidates collectively spent over $100 million, according to tracking data.
Jones, endorsed by Trump, and Jackson will face off on June 16 in a runoff that has dominated available advertising slots on Georgia television.
The Democratic primary was comparatively subdued, lacking the intense attack ads seen in the Republican contests.
Despite expectations of a runoff, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic gubernatorial primary decisively, with support from former President Joe Biden.
EU Agrees to Implement Trade Deal with US, Averting Tariff Threats
The European Union has agreed to implement a trade deal with the United States after extensive negotiations between members of the European Parliament and member states. This agreement likely averts the threat of punitive tariffs, including on cars and trucks imported from the EU, which had been considered by the US in response to delays.
Trump Claims 100% Success Rate for Endorsed Candidates in Republican Primaries
Donald Trump posted on Truth Social asserting that “100%” of his endorsements in the May 19 Republican primaries were victorious, citing clean sweeps in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Idaho, Oregon, and Kentucky.
Republicans endorsed by Trump either won or led in the primaries in Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky on Tuesday. Idaho’s three long-serving congressional incumbents, all supported by Trump, easily secured their party nominations in the recent primary. However, some races remain unresolved and will proceed to runoffs.
Additional election results came in as polls closed in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Idaho, and Oregon.
Notably, US Senator Tommy Tuberville won the Republican nomination for Alabama governor; former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in Georgia; and State Representative Chris Rabb secured the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s third congressional district.
In Georgia, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and healthcare executive Rick Jackson will compete in a Republican primary runoff for governor, while Congressmen Mike Collins and Derek Dooley will advance to a runoff for the Republican Senate nomination to challenge Democrat Jon Ossoff in November.
