Representative Lauren Boebert is being told she can’t have it both ways. The Colorado lawmaker faces intense backlash from the Make America Great Again (MAGA) contingent for endorsing a Republican lawmaker—Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky—who’s earned the wrath of President Donald Trump by repeatedly breaking with him on key issues. She particularly irked MAGA adherents with an X post on Friday placing photos of Trump and Massie side by side, above which she wrote:
“Below is my friend Thomas Massie. He loves America and is fighting to save it. Also below is my friend and President, Donald Trump. He’s put his life on the line to save this great country. I support both of these men. I’ve worked with both to preserve freedom and liberty. And if that makes you angry, bless your heart.”
With Trump having described Boebert as a “MAGA warrior” and endorsing her last summer, the backlash—which included some critics saying Boebert had just committed political suicide—points to a question raised by the targeting of Massie as well: How much dissent will Trump, who expects political loyalty, and his most ardent followers tolerate among Republicans, particularly those he’s supported? And how long can the political careers of those who cross the line last?
That question will be partially answered in primary voting over the next few days, with two Republican incumbents deemed insufficiently loyal to the president—Massie and Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy—facing Trump-backed challengers. (On Saturday, Trump called Cassidy—who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial in the wake of the U.S. Capitol riots—a “disloyal disaster.”)
Newsweek reached out to Boebert, Massie, and the White House on Saturday morning.
Trump Targets Massie
In the Kentucky Republican primary, which will see votes cast on May 19, Trump has endorsed former Navy Seal officer Ed Gallrein. In March, Trump slammed Massie at a Kentucky rally, calling him a “a complete and total disaster as a congressman” who is “disloyal to the people of Kentucky, and most importantly, he is disloyal to the United States of America.”
Trump’s anger stems from Massie’s repeated breaks with him on key legislative and policy matters. The libertarian-leaning lawmaker was one of only two Republicans who voted against the final version of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” has been a vocal critic of the Iran war, and pushed aggressively for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Massie has defended himself partly by saying he votes with Trump most of the time. According to an analysis by CQ Roll Call, Massie voted with Trump 77.6 percent of the time last year.
Massie responded on Friday to Boebert’s post of him and Trump, writing: “Lauren is a great friend, and like most of my friends, she likes both Trump and me! Yes it’s possible!!”
MAGA Attacks Boebert
But given the president’s anger, Boebert faced a tricky challenge trying to support both men at the same time.
The response on X was harsh. The account @ChatByCC—self-described as “Original MAGA” and with 257,000 followers—posted:
“Lauren Boebert’s endorsement of Massie won’t breathe life into his chances to win in Kentucky. Lauren Boebert’s endorsement is suicide for her future with President Trump and MAGA.”
Meanwhile @LoomerUnleashed— an account associated with conservative activist Laura Loomer’s media brand—wrote:
“Trump gave Boebert an endorsement and major fundraising support. Boebert repays Trump by campaigning with someone Trump wants voted out. Talk about disgusting disloyalty.”
The account @PAMarine412—also self-described as MAGA—wrote: “You’re here because you pretended to be MAGA and the people trusted you but it turns out, you’re just another stupid RINO b****.”
Another MAGA-linked account, @1Nicdar, with over 450,000 followers, wrote:
“I’m about to say something good about Thomas Massie, so you might wanna sit down. He can expose a RINO like no other. Today’s winner is Lauren Boebert.”
The MAGA-aligned account @JayTC53 added: “I like Boebert but without a doubt, this is the biggest mistake of her career. We don’t care about your ‘friendship’ with Massie. He sides with the Democrats. He sides and votes with the people that wish to destroy this country and destroy President Trump.”
The account @LexiMurica wrote:
“Time to primary Boebert another RINO snake.”
MAGA figures also used the occasion to criticize Boebert over a photo she posted of her smiling with Jared Polis, her state’s Democratic governor, at the Colorado Rockies Opening Day game in April. But Boebert noted that she played a role in Polis granting clemency to Tina Peters, a former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, on Friday. A Trump ally, Peters was sentenced in 2024 to about nine years in prison for her role in a scheme to allow unauthorized access to voting equipment and data. Boebert wrote that she and Polis “had many conversations regarding Tina’s unjust punishment and her release. My heart was filled with joy when he called me today to share this great news!”
Trump had pushed hard for Peters’ release, posting “FREE TINA!” on Friday on Truth Social.
As for Boebert posting about her loyalty to both Trump and Massie, Trump as of Saturday afternoon had not responded on Truth Social. History suggests, however, that attacks may soon follow.
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