Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images 
Rep. Thomas Massie’s weak immigration record in the 119th Congress has opened the door for President Donald Trump to challenge his grip on Kentucky’s GOP voters.
The libertarian-leaning Republican from Kentucky’s 4th District has long been a darling of conservatives for his fiscal restraint and defiance of the establishment. But his D+ grade from NumbersUSA, a group advocating for reduced immigration, exposes a vulnerability that Trump could exploit to fracture Massie’s base in the 2026 primary.
NumbersUSA grades lawmakers on votes that strengthen borders and prioritize American workers. Massie’s D+ in the 119th Congress, down from a 93% score in 2022, reflects votes that clash with the immigration hawkishness of his district.
He opposed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which would have mandated E-Verify to block illegal workers and tightened visa overstay penalties. Massie also voted against FY 2025 Budget Resolutions (H.R. 1 and H. Con. Res. 14), which included up to $200 billion for border walls, 10,000 new ICE officers, and more Border Patrol agents.
These stances contrast with the 58% of Americans who support deporting illegal immigrants, per a CBS/YouGov poll, a view that dominates among Kentucky’s GOP voters.
Massie’s co-sponsorship of the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act (H.R. 1044), which increases family-based visa caps, has further fueled criticism. Immigration hardliners label it a betrayal of the America First agenda, accusing Massie of prioritizing libertarian ideals over border security. This disconnect could erode his support in a district that overwhelmingly backed Trump’s 2024 campaign, built on promises of mass deportations and a fortified border.
Trump’s political operation is already moving. The Kentucky MAGA super PAC, led by Trump lieutenants Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio, aims to unseat Massie in 2026. With no challenger yet named, the PAC plans to unify anti-Massie voters behind one candidate to avoid splitting the vote.
Trump’s past attacks, calling Massie a “pathetic LOSER” and “not MAGA” over unrelated votes, show his readiness to hit hard. Massie’s immigration record gives Trump a potent weapon to rally GOP voters who demand uncompromising border policies.
Massie has some defenses. He supported the Laken Riley Act, strengthening detention rules, and the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, criminalizing evasion of Border Patrol. These votes earned him points with NumbersUSA, but they’re drowned out by his opposition to broader enforcement measures.
His libertarian stance—favoring limited government over costly border programs—explains his votes but may not resonate with voters prioritizing security.
A Kaplan Strategies poll shows only 19% of GOP primary voters plan to reelect Massie, with 52% favoring a Trump-backed challenger, signaling trouble ahead.
Kentucky’s 4th District is a GOP stronghold, and Massie’s $1.7 million war chest makes him formidable. Yet Trump’s influence is unmatched, with 85% of district Republicans viewing him favorably, per a McLaughlin & Associates poll.
Social media reflects the tension: some voters praise Massie’s independence, but others, like former supporter Charlie Coleman, back Trump’s leadership and want Massie to fall in line.
Massie’s brand as a principled libertarian and constitutionalist has carried him through past primaries, winning 75% of the vote in 2022 and 2024. But immigration is a make-or-break issue for many GOP voters, and his D+ grade is a glaring liability.
If Trump hammers this weakness, Massie risks losing the trust of his base.
To survive, he’ll need to convince voters to overlook his immigration votes and instead remind voters he’s an independent outsider fighting against debt, resisting foreign wars, and pressing Trump for disclosure with the Epstein files.
Democrats Would Lose 30 Seats in Congress Under Trump’s Plan to Remove Illegals From Census
