Ousted Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie warned that 
Donald Trump has "alienated" voters and that the GOP will pay for "Trump disappointment syndrome" in November, days after losing his primary to a Trump-backed challenger. Massie's defeat by Ed Gallrein was the latest in a string of losses for incumbents at odds with the president, the Guardian reported.
What did Massie say? In the Guardian interview, Massie cast his defeat as a leading indicator for the midterms, with what he called "Trump disappointment syndrome" set to drag the broader party in November. His maverick stances — pushing for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files and opposing the war on Iran — were central to making him a target for the Trump operation.
How are Democrats reacting? Rep. Ro Khanna of California, asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" about Massie's primary loss, told host Kristen Welker the result reflected those same Epstein and Iran stances and left him with "sadness, disappointment," The Hill reported. Khanna's appearance came in the same Sunday show round in which the emerging US-Iran deal also dominated discussion.
How are other Republicans responding? Sen. John Cornyn, facing his own primary contest in Texas, drew a line — telling NewsNation's Chris Stirewalt that his relationship with Trump "is different from the Cassidy and Massie situation," in reference to Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who also lost his primary to a Trump-endorsed candidate, per The Hill's account of the interview. Cornyn would not commit to backing Trump-endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton should Paxton win their runoff.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
