- Ed Gallrein, backed by Donald Trump, criticized Thomas Massie for opposing key Republican priorities and breaking with the former president.
- State Sen. Gex Williams defended Massie, arguing he is a principled conservative and an important independent voice in Congress.
- The event highlighted broader GOP tensions between party alignment with Trump and maintaining congressional independence.
Former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein headlined the Kenton County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday in Covington, touting his endorsement from President Donald Trump, while criticizing incumbent Kentucky 4th District Rep. Thomas Massie for breaking with the president on a number of high-profile issues.
Massie did not attend the event, as he was in Washington, D.C., despite being invited. Instead, State Sen. Gex Williams of Boone County spoke on Massie’s behalf to close the dinner. Massie has previously criticized Gallrein for failing to attend joint events that were advertised for both candidates.
Williams attributed Massie’s absence to his presence on the House floor, where he was voting on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, or FISA Act, earlier that day. Williams said that due to Massie’s obligations in Congress, he was unable to leave in time to attend the event. Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky’s 6th District, who was also on the House floor earlier, arrived midway through the event.
“Congressman Barr had to rush to the airport because Thomas Massie was being Thomas Massie,” Williams said. “They (Congress) were going to vote on the FISA Act, and he did a roll call vote for it, and so he had to stay to the end because he was a part of the speech and debate, and was not able to make that flight in time.”
Prior to the event’s keynote, Gallrein fielded questions from local and national media about the state of the race. Gallrein dinged Massie for being insufficiently aligned with Trump and the Republican Party, telling reporters that the congressman has voted against several of the president’s legislative priorities, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025.
He accused the incumbent congressman of being aligned with the Democratic Party and mainstream media – a criticism Massie has denied in prior speaking engagements.
“He’s gone to Washington, D.C. — he’s burned every bridge, burned the bridge factory, run everybody off the middle bridge that’s a conservative Republican, and that’s why the mainstream media loves him, because he advances their cause,” Gallrein said.
Gallrein characterized Trump’s endorsement as reflecting the feelings of the American populace, rather than strictly a political choice by the president. Trump endorsed Gallrein last October at the inception of his campaign.
During his speech, Gallrein criticized Massie for seeking another term in Congress. Massie, first elected in 2012, has served seven terms. Gallrein argued that Massie’s legislative breaks with the GOP were a vote against the county’s best interests.
“But instead, he served for 14 years and wants an eighth term,” Gallrein said. “He’s also got a severe case of the Trump Derangement Syndrome like the radical Democrats, that he actively votes against our best interests, our nation, our party and our families.”
Williams, speaking on Massie’s behalf, pushed back against criticisms of the congressman, telling the audience that Massie stays true to his principles.
“Thomas, when he first got elected, he made promises,” Williams said. “He’s still delivering on that. He has not changed in all of these years. You know where Thomas is on any issue, because that’s where he was when he got elected. That’s where he is today, and he is working for his constituents.”
Furthermore, Williams argued that supporting both Trump and Massie is not contradictory, noting that the U.S. system is built on checks and balances, with both a strong president and an independent Congress.
“I urge you to reconsider if you are thinking that you can’t be for President Trump and for Thomas Massie,” Williams said. “You certainly can be for President Trump and for Thomas Massie, because our founding fathers wanted a strong independent president, and they wanted a strong independent Congress, and Thomas Massie stands for that.”
Prior to Gallrein and Williams’ speeches, Senate candidates Barr and former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron gave their electoral pitches to the captive audience. Cameron spoke before Barr.
Cameron pitched himself as the ‘law-and-order’ candidate; someone who promotes conservative principles such as support for law enforcement, farmers, low taxes, energy independence and merit-based opportunity over diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Cameron has not formally endorsed Massie or Gallrein.
“This is an opportunity for us to speak boldly and truthfully on the issues that are plaguing our country,” he said. “I hope you’ll give me a chance.”
Barr, an early backer of Gallrein, followed Cameron. Barr positioned himself as an experienced legislator, touting his lengthy tenure in Congress and alignment with former President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Barr emphasized his role in advancing tax cuts, deregulation, border security and military strength, arguing that he is prepared to serve in the Senate immediately without a learning curve due to his experience in Congress.
“I block the Democrats’ path,” Barr asserted. “I defeat Democrats. That’s what I do. It would be an honor to earn your vote because I’m a workhorse, because I’m ready on day one, and because I will win for you, for your families, for the future.”
Event organizer Shane Noem announced that entrepreneur Nate Morris, who is also running in the GOP Senate primary, was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
The GOP primary is scheduled for May 19.
