Donald Trump published the following on "Truth Social" about the heroic Congressman Tom Massie, in response to Massie's voting against Trump's budget proposal: "Thank you to the House Freedom Caucus for just delivering a big blow to the Radical Left Democrats and their desire to raise Taxes and SHUT OUR COUNTRY DOWN! They hate America and all it stands for. That's why they allowed MILLIONS of Criminals to invade our Nation. Sometimes it takes great courage to do the right thing. Congressman Thomas Massie, of beautiful Kentucky, is an automatic "NO" vote on just about everything, despite the fact that he has always voted for Continuing Resolutions in the past. HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him. He's just another GRANDSTANDER, who's too much trouble, and not worth the fight. He reminds me of Liz Chaney before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!). The people of Kentucky won't stand for it, just watch. DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS??? Anyway, thank you again to the House Freedom Caucus for your very important vote. We need to buy some time in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. Unite and Win!!! (italics removed)

Was Trump justified in what he said? Of course not! Trump continually campaigned on the promise to cut spending, but the budget proposal he supports was much higher than that of President Obama, as the great David Stockman has pointed out: "But for crying out loud, Donald, Congressman Massie has actually read every line of this 110 page abomination and knows that it provides spending authority of $1.658 trillion, which is 47% more than Big Spender Obama's last budget. It will virtually cancel every dime DOGE has allegedly saved."

Massie wasn't disturbed by Trump's threat, posting on Twitter that "Doesn't work on me. Three times I've had a challenger who tried to be more MAGA than me. Doesn't work. None busted 25% because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance."

Massie is sound on Covid: "I have a bill to end the COVID jab mandate for legal immigrants, but Trump just suspended the mandate." "Hallelujah!" he added. The representative also slammed former President Joe Biden in a separate post for initially approving the requirement. "But the reality is this: President Biden invented this cruel and unscientific mandate without congressional approval, so President Trump could end it today with his pen," he wrote." "I will sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty," Trump said. "It's going to end immediately. Our armed forces will be able to focus on its sole mission: defeating America's enemies."