Israel Lobby, Pro-Trump Super PAC Turn On Funding Spigot To Topple Thomas Massie

Pro-Israel donors and related organizations poured millions into ousting Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie ahead of his contentious primary race against his opponent backed by President Donald Trump.

The American Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and other pro-Israel lobbying groups spent over $9 million in mostly independent expenditures to oust Massie. Pro-Israel GOP donors donated millions to a Trump-aligned super PAC that has spent nearly $7 million on the race, according to Politico.

Massie has been staunchly against foreign aid to Israel and other foreign countries. He voted against foreign aid to Israel on several occasions and called for halting all military aid for the nation in May, citing civilian casualties in Gaza and arguing Israel should fund its own defense.

The campaign for Massie’s opponent, Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, raised roughly $3.16 million to challenge Massie, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data. He received over $63,000 in direct PAC donations from groups such as the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) and AIPAC’s super PAC, the United Democracy Project (UDP), and over $11.8 million from independent expenditures, according to Track AIPAC.

Massie’s campaign raised over $5.5 million, earning donations from pro-life PACs and the campaigns of Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan