Republican Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky has gained an unexpected ally in his fight against his own party’s leadership. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has promised to donate money to Massie’s re-election campaign after the congressman faced heavy criticism from President Donald Trump.
The support comes at a crucial time for Massie, who has been one of the most independent voices in the Republican Party. He was one of only two House Republicans who voted against a major spending bill in May. He also criticized Trump’s military strikes against Iran as unconstitutional. “An interesting thing just happened,” Massie wrote on X, sharing news about Musk’s pledge to support his campaign.
Musk backs fiscal conservatives despite Trump’s opposition
The clash between Massie and Trump became public in June when the president called the congressman a “pathetic LOSER” on Truth Social. Trump promised to campaign hard for a primary challenger against Massie in Kentucky. The president made similar attacks on Massie over several days, showing his serious displeasure with the congressman’s independent stance.
Musk’s decision to support Massie appears to be driven by concerns about government spending. The Tesla CEO wrote that members of Congress who voted for big debt increases should ‘hang their head in shame’ and would lose their primary elections, continuing his pattern of opposing spending bills even when they fund critical programs like pediatric cancer research. Former Representative Justin Amash encouraged Musk to back Massie, calling him a “genuine fiscal conservative” who opposes wasteful spending.
An interesting thing just happened:https://t.co/78ioUfmVIo
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 1, 2025
When someone on social media said they had donated to Massie’s campaign and asked who would donate next, Musk simply replied, “Me.” This direct commitment shows Musk is serious about supporting the Kentucky congressman despite Trump’s opposition. The exchange highlights growing tensions within the Republican Party between different groups with different priorities, reflecting the increasingly complicated relationship between Trump and Musk.
Massie responded positively to Musk’s support, saying the billionaire’s ownership of Twitter had already helped his cause greatly. He said the platform allowed him to bypass traditional media and explain his positions directly to voters. The congressman described his re-election as a test of whether members of Congress can think independently or must follow party lines.
Despite facing pressure from Trump and party leadership, Massie’s campaign has been raising significant amounts of money. He reported that over 3,400 grassroots donors contributed more than $308,000 in just one week. This fundraising success suggests that his independent approach appeals to many Republican voters who want fiscal responsibility in Washington.
