WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to back a primary challenger against U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert after the Colorado Republican campaigned for Representative Thomas Massie in Kentucky.
Trump posted on Truth Social that Boebert “is campaigning for the Worst ‘Republican’ Congressman in the History of our Country, Thomas Massie, of the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and anybody who can be that dumb deserves a good Primary fight!” The remarks came hours after Boebert appeared with Massie, who faces a Trump-backed opponent in Tuesday’s Republican primary.
The president also asked whether anyone was interested in running against “Weak Minded Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District,” adding that he would support such a candidate. The statements mark a sharp turn for Trump, who had previously counted Boebert among his most reliable allies in Congress.
Boebert’s decision to campaign for Massie drew immediate attention because the Kentucky lawmaker has repeatedly broken with Trump on key votes. Massie opposed major legislation backed by the White House and pushed for the release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump has already endorsed Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL, to challenge Massie in the primary.
According to the Reuters report, Trump’s move against Boebert tests the limits of his influence within the Republican Party. While many lawmakers have aligned closely with the president, Massie has maintained an independent streak that has frustrated Trump and his supporters.
Boebert, who represents Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District, has not yet responded publicly to the president’s posts. Her appearances for Massie came as the Kentucky primary race intensified, with Gallrein positioning himself as the stronger Trump ally.
Trump has made clear his determination to defeat Massie, describing the effort as necessary to maintain party discipline. The president’s social media activity on Saturday signaled that he views Boebert’s support for Massie as a serious misstep.
Political observers note that primary challenges backed by Trump have often succeeded in recent cycles, though some targeted incumbents have survived. Boebert herself won a competitive primary in 2022 after redistricting placed her in a new district.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Trump’s preferred candidates and more independent conservatives who sometimes diverge on issues such as foreign policy and government transparency. Massie’s push to release Epstein-related documents has been one point of friction.
Trump’s posts also raised the possibility of a primary contest in Colorado’s Fourth District, where Boebert has built a profile as a hardline conservative. Any challenger would likely need significant fundraising and organizational support to mount a serious bid.
Officials in both states are preparing for Tuesday’s primaries, with the outcomes expected to influence the balance of power heading into the general election. Trump’s involvement has already drawn attention from national Republican donors and strategists.
Supporters of Massie argue that his willingness to challenge party leadership on certain issues reflects a commitment to principle rather than disloyalty. Critics, including Trump, contend that such independence weakens the Republican agenda.
The coming days will show whether Trump’s threat against Boebert prompts other lawmakers to reconsider their public associations or whether it energizes candidates willing to challenge her in Colorado. Both races remain fluid as voters head to the polls.