President Donald Trump’s feud with Kentucky GOP Congressman Thomas Massie has roped in another big name: Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who said early Tuesday that he’s backing Massie in his reelection bid next year.
The self-described “sassy” congressman has butted heads with the president before, even backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential run in 2023. But Massie’s latest opposition to Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear energy sites prompted new outrage from Trump who vowed to campaign against Massie in Kentucky and support a Republican challenger in the primary.
Musk has had his own public falling out with Trump recently after the former besties parted ways in May. Musk too has become a vocal opponent of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Since Trump’s ongoing feuds with Massie and Musk move at lightning speed, here’s a rundown of some of the latest things you need to know about them.
Yes, Musk said he’s donating money to re-elect Massie
Early Tuesday morning, Musk retweeted a Libertarian X user who said he’d just donated to Massie’s reelection campaign. In the tweet, the person said, ” I donated again to @RepThomasMassie’s re-election campaign. Who’s next?”
Musk retweeted it adding, “Me,” to the post.
Below that, the Thomas Massie for Congress campaign thanked Musk for the support.
Massie’s spokesman Jonathan Van Norman did not immediately reply to inquiries about how much money Musk donated or if the congressman had spoken to Musk about re-election support.
Trump said he’ll campaign against Massie in Kentucky
On Truth Social last month, Trump called Massie a “bum” who needed to be removed from office immediately.
The post came after Massie introduced a War Powers Resolution to prohibit the United States’ involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict. After the Trump administration dropped bombs on three nuclear power sites, Massie called the actions unconstitutional and made the rounds on the media circuit criticizing the decision and speaking against further involvement.
In response, Trump also said on social media that he’d support a GOP challenger against Massie and campaign against Massie in Kentucky.
A new Massie challenger?
At least four people – all with little political experience – have filed to run against Massie in 2026.
But state Sen. Aaron Reed made headlines over the weekend after Politico broke the news that White House officials reportedly plan to meet with Reed in the next few weeks to discuss running against Massie in the 2026 Republican primary.
Reed told The Courier Journal Monday that he has “no plans, yet” to run against Massie.
When will he decide whether to challenge the longtime Congressman?
“When God tells me,” Reed said.
Trump’s beef with Musk
President Trump and Musk have had a highly publicized, brutal falling out over the past few months.
The two campaigned together and Musk was the leading voice behind DOGE, which gutted federal agencies throughout the first four months of Trump’s presidency.
But the two began slinging insults online shortly after Musk announced he would be stepping back from his duties at the White House and as one of Trump’s top advisors in May.
He later said on X, formerly Twitter, that Trump should be impeached and accused the president of being mentioned in undisclosed classified files about sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He later deleted those tweets, though, USA TODAY reported.
Trump posted on social media early Tuesday that Musk would have to “close up shop and head back home to South Africa” without government subsidies for his business enterprises.
Musk’s recent support of Massie hints that the raging feud between the two is not over.
Trump told reporters Tuesday morning, “We’ll have to have a look,” at deporting Musk from the country, USA TODAY reported.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elon Musk says he’ll donate to Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie amid Trump opposition
Reporting by Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
