Donald Trump has shown his continued influence over the Republican Party, as several lawmakers who opposed him have been defeated in recent primary elections, BBC reported. Thomas Massie. An independent-minded congressman from Kentucky, was comfortably defeated on Tuesday in the Republican primary race to determine who will challenge Democrats in November’s midterms — the Trump-backed candidate, Ed Gallrein, is heading toward a 55% share of the vote.

Trump’s Influence on GOP Primary Outcomes

Massie, a frequent critic of Trump, is the latest in a growing list of political casualties. His transgressions included opposing Trump’s tax-and-spending budget package last year due to concerns about the federal deficit and voting to curtail the president’s military operations in Venezuela and Iran. He was also a driving force behind efforts to release Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier with ties to the powerful.

These actions placed Massie at the top of Trump’s enemies list, prompting a $20 million campaign to remove him from Congress — Trey Grayson, a two-time Republican secretary of state in Kentucky, said Trump has once again proven his power in the party. Massie had also accumulated enemies in state politics due to his lack of cooperation with local business leaders and preference for high-profile legislative efforts over routine work.

Campaign Strategies and Outcomes

Gallrein, Massie’s Trump-backed opponent, did not campaign extensively; he declined most debate and public forum invitations, relying instead on Trump’s endorsement and the financial support it generated. This strategy proved successful. With Gallrein securing a double-digit victory; Massie now joins Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who was also defeated by a Trump-endorsed candidate in a Republican primary earlier in the week.

Next Tuesday, another incumbent senator, John Cornyn of Texas, may face a similar fate, but Earlier on Tuesday, as Kentucky Republicans were still casting ballots, Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the upcoming runoff election. Cornyn, unlike Massie or Cassidy, never clearly broke with Trump; Just last week, he proposed a bill to name a Texas highway after the president.

Reactions and Implications

Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Paxton caught Republican senators by surprise and prompted criticism. Cornyn was a former member of the Senate leadership team and a prolific fundraiser for fellow Republicans. Senator Susan Collins of Maine expressed confusion over the decision, saying John Cornyn is an outstanding senator who deserved Trump’s support.

Trump’s willingness to target Republican incumbents could come at a cost. His polling numbers show dissatisfaction, particularly among independent voters, with his performance on the economy. The Republicans he has supported may not be the best candidates to win over a broader electorate in November. There are also concerns about the actions of defeated Republicans in their final months in office.

Earlier on Tuesday, Cassidy voted for the first time to support a resolution limiting Trump’s authority to conduct the Iran war. He also expressed opposition to providing a billion dollars in security funding for Trump’s proposed White House ballroom. As more Senate Republicans leave the chamber, they could complicate Trump’s efforts to push through new spending packages or get administration nominees approved.

Their opposition could highlight the loyalty of rank-and-file Republicans, providing a campaign advantage to Democrats seeking to associate their general election opponents with an increasingly unpopular president. Trump is steadily removing his critics from the Republican Party, but they may have a few parting gifts for the president on their way out.