Trump-backed candidates continue GOP primary winning streak

Another Republican who broke with President Donald Trump has lost a primary election, as Trump continues tightening his grip on the Republican Party.

(NBC)- Another Republican who broke with President Donald Trump has lost a primary election, as Trump continues tightening his grip on the Republican Party. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy lost his primary race, becoming the latest Republican defeated after openly opposing Trump.

“When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to,” Cassidy said after the loss.

Cassidy voted to convict Trump following the January 6 Capitol riot and recently appeared to criticize the president again during remarks to supporters.

“You don’t pout, you don’t whine, you don’t claim that election was stolen, you don’t manufacture some excuse,” Cassidy said.

Trump responded online by posting a video depicting himself hitting Cassidy in the head with a golf ball after the senator’s impeachment vote.

The president’s influence inside the GOP has continued growing during the current election cycle. Earlier this month, Trump-backed challengers defeated Republican lawmakers in Indiana who opposed his redistricting efforts.

Now Trump is focusing attention on Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie ahead of Tuesday’s primary. Over the course of 24 hours, Trump repeatedly attacked Massie online, calling him “disloyal,” “a sanctimonious fool,” and a “loser.”

Trump’s frustrations with the Kentucky libertarian date back to his first term but intensified after Massie voted against Trump’s major tax and spending package, criticized the war with Iran and pushed for the release of Epstein-related files. Trump has also reportedly begun searching for a primary challenger against Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert after she campaigned alongside Massie.

Massie’s race has become the most expensive House primary in U.S. history. Outside groups aligned with Trump have heavily backed Massie’s opponent, Ed Gallrein, a relatively unknown political newcomer.

“You can disagree with President Trump, but if you try to destroy him, you’re going to lose,” Senator Lindsey Graham said. “Because this is the party of Donald Trump.”