President Donald Trump sharply criticized Kentucky lawmakers Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Thomas Massie on Friday, calling both Republicans “RINOs” and accusing them of opposing the GOP’s America First agenda, as reported by Newsmax.

In a pair of Truth Social posts, President Trump took aim first at Sen. Paul, writing that the three-term senator “never votes positively for the Republican Party.” He added, “He’s a nasty liddle guy.”

Minutes later, Trump turned his attention to Rep. Massie, urging voters in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District to remove him from office.

“Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP!” Trump wrote.

Trump calls out Rand Paul and Massie for voting against Trump’s policies and MAGA.

Trump himself is even pointing out that there are many who claim to be on our side, who are not.

The Libertarians have proven they are just anti-Trump of a different flavor.

Told ya. pic.twitter.com/Sju1fs9f17

— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) October 17, 2025

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The President went on to endorse Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL and former congressional candidate, as a potential challenger to Massie.

“I hope Ed gets into the Race against Massie, who is now polling at about 9% because the Great People of Kentucky are wise to him — He only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left,” Trump said.

Trump’s criticism of Paul and Massie reflects long-standing policy differences with both lawmakers. Senator Paul has clashed with the administration on issues including tariffs, government spending, and the use of executive authority.

He opposed President Trump’s $5 trillion debt ceiling package, describing it as fiscally reckless, and has repeatedly criticized tariffs as “hidden taxes.”

Paul has also opposed Trump’s proposal to use the military for deportations and called federal investment in private firms like Intel “socialism.” On Friday, he called on Congress to reaffirm that “war powers reside with Congress, not the president.”

His remarks followed concerns over recent U.S. operations targeting Venezuelan vessels accused of drug trafficking without congressional approval.

“About 25% of the time that the Coast Guard boards a vessel in the Caribbean looking for drugs, about 25% of the time, the boat that is boarded doesn’t have drugs,” Paul told Newsmax earlier this month. “So we’ve blown up four boats. Statistically speaking, what are the odds that one of the boats didn’t have drugs?”

Trump’s ongoing friction with Massie dates back to 2020, when Massie delayed a COVID-19 relief bill, prompting Trump to label him a “third-rate grandstander.”

Since then, Massie has split with Trump on spending, foreign aid, and trade policy, aligning himself with libertarian principles and often voting against GOP-led measures.

On Friday, Trump renewed his call for a challenger to replace Massie, saying, “Unlike ‘lightweight’ Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. Should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement.”

BREAKING: Trump has made an endorsement in his effort to unseat Thomas Massie in Kentucky: former Navy Seal and Army Ranger Ed Gallrein pic.twitter.com/1IRSlQAm1h

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) October 17, 2025

Massie, meanwhile, reported raising $768,000 between July and September — his strongest fundraising quarter yet — as a super PAC aligned with President Trump considers investing in the race ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

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