WASHINGTON — The man late conservative youth organizer Charlie Kirk once referred to as his “favorite congressman” is now at the center of the most expensive U.S. House primary in American history, as outside groups have poured more than $25 million into efforts aimed at defeating U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
Massie, a Republican known for his libertarian streak and frequent clashes with party leadership, has been targeted by President Donald Trump ahead of Tuesday’s Republican primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. Trump has repeatedly attacked Massie on social media while backing challenger Ed Gallrein.
Federal Election Commission records show that pro-Israel groups and aligned donors have fueled much of the spending against Massie, with more than $15.5 million spent through political action committees tied to pro-Israel interests.
United Democracy Project, the election arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, spent more than $4.1 million in the race. The RJC Victory Fund, affiliated with the Republican Jewish Coalition, added roughly $3.9 million.
MAGA KY emerged as the single largest outside spender, investing approximately $7.5 million into the contest. Financial disclosures show the group received backing from billionaire investor Paul Singer, a major donor to pro-Israel political causes, as well as Preserve America PAC, a group linked to Israeli-American megadonor Miriam Adelson.
The spending surge has helped push total expenditures in the race past $34 million, making it the costliest congressional primary contest on record.
Massie has become one of the few Republican members of Congress willing to publicly criticize U.S. foreign policy toward Israel and continued military involvement in the Middle East. He has also drawn national attention for leading efforts surrounding the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation intended to force the release of government records connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Supporters of Massie argue the congressman is facing political retaliation after successfully guiding the Epstein transparency legislation through Congress, while also opposing foreign aid priorities backed by influential lobbying groups.
Trump’s attacks on Massie have intensified in recent days, with the president labeling the Kentucky congressman an “obstructionist” and urging Republican voters to remove him from office.
