“What we need is basic decency,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) told his supporters after losing the Kentucky primary race to Trump-endorsed challenger Ed Gallrein. “That’s what the Epstein Files Transparency Act was all about.”
Talking about the purge of powerful figures linked to the Epstein files, Massie said to applause: “We’ve taken out two dozen CEOs, an ambassador, a prince, a prime minister, a minister of culture. That was just six months. I got seven months left in Congress.”
Massie: Today is the six-month anniversary of the Epstein Transparency Act. We’ve taken out two dozen CEOs, an ambassador, a prince, a prime minister, a minister of culture—that was just six months. I’ve got seven months left in Congress. pic.twitter.com/sm1nAOBVO6
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 20, 2026
[NOTE: Massie’s headcount of those who’ve faced Epstein-related consequences included the UK’s former Prince Andrew and its former Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson, former Norwegian PM Thorbjørn Jagland, former Harvard President and U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, French culture minister Jack Lang, former chairman Brad Karp of the law giant Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, among others. Despite the revelations exposed in millions of newly released files, the U.S. Department of Justice has not charged anyone new with a crime in connection with Epstein.]
Massie’s drive to release the Epstein Files — he circulated a discharge petition that eventually compelled a vote to release them against President Trump’s wishes — was a big factor, along with Massie’s rejection of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), in Trump’s successful effort to boot Massie from Congress.
Massie’s plan to use his remaining time in Congress to push for more Epstein-related consequences has precedent in a decision this week by another U.S. lawmaker, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who like Massie was successfully primaried by a Trump-supported challenger and who — after losing — changed his vote in the Senate regarding Trump’s war powers, siding with Democrats to insist Trump get congressional approval for the war in Iran.
GOP lawmakers like Massie and Cassidy, cut loose from needing Trump’s support to keep their jobs, have limited time left in office. But, as Massie signals in his threat to other Epstein-linked figures who have yet to face consequences, these lawmakers intend to operate in a manner unrestrained by the requirement that they please Trump where their personal agendas differ from the president’s.
Massie also said he feels “hopeful,” despite his loss, citing data that said his supporters were much younger than those who tossed him out. He said the “not jaded” young voters don’t want someone who “goes along to get along” and that his supporters, “true patriots,” represent the future.
Massie: Why am I hopeful right now? We have the younger demographic. You are patriots and you will inherit the country. You will make it better and I am hopeful because of it. We started out as an election and it turned into a movement. There is a yearning in this country for… pic.twitter.com/wtVF3zx5ov
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 20, 2026