Thomas Massie’s political future in question as support shrinks from feud with Trump

Representative Thomas Massie is facing political headwinds in Kentucky, a stark contrast to previous support levels amidst an intense challenge by a MAGA-backed super PAC.

Newsweek reported that an influential ad campaign has weakened Massie’s approval ratings, casting doubt on his re-election bid due to rising unpopularity and intense scrutiny from a former ally’s faction.

Internal polling conducted by McLaughlin and Associates reveals that Massie’s favorability is waning among voters in his district.

The data showcases a notable decline, with his favorability dropping from 54% in June to 43% by August. Simultaneously, his job approval rating saw a dip from 52% to 39%.

Massie’s Unfavorability Rises Amid GOP Dissent

The polling results highlight an increase in Massie’s unfavorability rating, rising from 40% to 54% within two months.

This shift in perception is attributed primarily to a substantial $800,000 television ad campaign launched by MAGA Inc., coupled with a preceding $1 million ad buy that further damaged his standing.

Among key Republican voting blocs, including conservatives, the decline in support was particularly pronounced. Approval ratings fell to as low as 22% among senior voters, signaling widespread dissent.

Further amplifying the challenge is the preference among 57% of GOP primary voters for a Trump-endorsed challenger. This sentiment arises despite Massie’s earlier endorsement of Trump for the 2024 presidential race. Some of Massie’s decisions, however, remain at odds with Trump’s policies.

A number of Massie’s controversial positions have led to tensions with Trump’s base. Notably, Massie opposed airstrikes on Iran and vocalized concerns about the U.S. debt ceiling, further straining his relationship with Trump’s staunch supporters. Additionally, he was among only two House Republicans to vote against Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Despite having endorsed Trump for the 2024 election, Massie has broken ranks on previous occasions, opposing several high-profile initiatives led by the former president.

The rift widened during the 2020 COVID relief package discussions, where Massie took a stand against the proposed measures, and it solidified when he endorsed Ron DeSantis over Trump in the GOP presidential primary.

Trump’s Threats and Massie’s Predicament

The challenges Massie faces are further heightened by Trump’s open threat of supporting a primary challenger in the 2026 elections. This possibility looms large, especially as 62% of voters now perceive Massie as unsupportive of Trump’s policies, a significant increase from 49% in June.

John McLaughlin of McLaughlin and Associates asserted the accuracy of their polling, emphasizing their past success in the 2016 and 2024 primaries. McLaughlin argues that Massie must align more closely with Trump’s agenda to regain voter favor.

Massie remains defiant, however, suggesting that efforts to oust him might fail and waste considerable financial resources. He raised concerns about the fiscal implications of certain bills, underscoring potential inflationary consequences.

According to Massie’s spokesperson, the internal polling data is detached from reality, insinuating that the MAGA super PAC is driven by globalist motivations rather than regional interests.

Claims that the influential TV ads come from “three socially liberal globalist billionaires” have been firmly reiterated by Massie’s camp.

The spokesperson also disparaged the reputation of the pollster, suggesting inaccuracies and emphasizing that it’s not the one employed by the Trump team for more consequential polling efforts. Meanwhile, McLaughlin and Associates maintain that their findings reflect an effective campaign influencing voter opinions.