Trump lashes out on Kentucky Rep. Massie, calls him a ‘grandstander’

(The Hill) – President Trump lashed out at Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) during his visit to the Capitol for the House Republican Conference meeting on Tuesday, calling him “a grandstander.” 

“I don’t think Thomas Massie understands government. I think he’s a grandstander, frankly” Trump said when asked about Massie’s concerns the president’s legislative agenda will add to the deficit. 

“We don’t even talk to him much,” he continued. “I think he should be voted out of office.” 

“If you ask him a couple of questions, he never gives you answer. He just says I’m a no,” he said. “He thinks he’s going to get publicity.”

Massie said following the conference meeting that his mind on the legislation had not changed following Trump’s meeting with House Republicans. 

Trump’s visit to the Capitol on Tuesday is part of a pressure campaign to get Republicans to get behind his legislative agenda, which he calls the “big, beautiful, bill.” 

However, the legislation has run into roadblocks among a number of factions within the GOP conference, including deficit hawks like Massie who want to avoid adding to the debt and moderates who want an increase the ceiling on a tax deduction for state and local taxes (SALT).

This is not the first time Trump has criticized the Kentucky congressman. In March, Trump vowed to “lead the charge” to unseat Massie after the Republican lawmaker voted against the stopgap GOP funding bill.