2 weeks ago
Donald Trump populated his Truth Social relationship overnight pinch much than 3 twelve banners relishing his wins successful a bid of superior races connected Tuesday — further grounds of his grip connected nan Republican party.
The biggest prize was nan ouster of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who has emerged arsenic 1 of nan president’s astir salient intra-party foes arsenic he has led nan calls nan merchandise nan Jeffrey Epstein files. In 1 of nan astir costly legislature superior races ever, Massie was soundly defeated by Ed Gallrein.
The president besides saw his chosen candidate, Andy Barr, triumph nan GOP superior for nan U.S. Senate spot held by Mitch McConnell, who is retiring, and Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), his chosen contender for nan U.S. Senate successful Alabama, beforehand to a runoff. Meanwhile, Georgia’s caput of state, Brad Raffensberger, who refused Trump’s unit to find him votes to overturn nan 2020 statesmanlike predetermination results successful nan state, grounded to make nan runoff to service arsenic nan Republican nominee for governor.
Earlier successful nan day, connected Capitol Hill, seasoned Republican senators were reported to beryllium stunned pinch nan news of nan president’s endorsement of Texas lawyer wide Ken Paxton, alternatively than Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), successful adjacent week’s primary. “None of america power what nan president does,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (D-TX), who had heavy backed Cornyn. If Paxton wins, his individual and master scandals will apt beryllium beforehand and halfway of Democrat James Talarico’s efforts to flip nan seat.
As overmuch arsenic Cornyn tried to ingratiate himself pinch Trump, moreover proposing an interstate highway beryllium named aft him, it was not enough. At nan White House, Vice President JD Vance told reporters, “I’ve known John Cornyn for a agelong time, but unfortunately, erstwhile it really counted, Ken Paxton was location for nan country, was location for nan president and that’s why he yet earned nan president’s endorsement.”
As commentators emphasized successful cablegram and streaming sum passim Tuesday evening, nan Republicans are heading into a midterm pinch small power complete what Trump does, moreover arsenic statement leaders effort to veer nan speech distant from ballrooms and triumphal arches to concerns astir affordability and nan economy.
In his concession speech, Massie remained defiant and moreover a spot snarky, but he suggested that nan Republican loyalty to Trump extends good beyond statement figures to media connected nan right.
“After 18 months of blackout, of not letting maine connected Fox, they yet fto maine connected Fox today, 4 hours into nan election,” Massie told supporters, to boos. “Their slop is trading truthful they will support trading it. But listen, I sewage to watch Fox, also, for nan first clip successful 18 months.”
