Pete Hegseth Supports Thomas Massie’s Opponent Ed Gallrein: ‘Trump Needs More Support’

Army Secretary Supports Congressional Candidate in Kentucky

Army Secretary Pete Hegseth stepped away from his formal commitments to appear alongside Ed Gullane, a Congressional candidate from Kentucky, during a campaign event on Monday. This rally took place just ahead of Tuesday’s primary election, where Gullane is challenging incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).

Gullane, considered a favorite of former President Trump, is up against Massie, who has drawn Trump’s criticism for differing from party lines on various issues. Massie’s votes against significant Republican spending proposals, such as the One Big Beautiful Act, have also made him a target of Trump’s ire.

In a somewhat atypical gesture for a U.S. military leader, Hegseth showed his support at the rally, which was hosted by America First Works—an advocacy group linked to the America First Policy Institute, founded by former Trump officials like Linda McMahon, Brooke Rollins, and Larry Kudlow.

“President Trump needs reinforcements, and that’s what our fighters provide,” Hegseth stated. “A warfighter understands the mission, teamwork, and loyalty. They know that in critical moments, you can’t weaken your side to achieve your goals. Ed Gullane gets that because he’s lived it.”

Massie has been particularly vocal against military actions involving Iran, including strikes on its nuclear facilities last summer.

Hegseth remarked, “Opposing everything isn’t a substitute for achieving anything.” He further emphasized that real courage is about acting decisively when it counts, especially against what he sees as an existential threat to the country.

He clarified that he was attending the rally as a private citizen and veteran, expressing his support for Navy SEAL Ed Gullane.

A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that there were no taxpayer dollars used to support Hegseth’s visit, assuring that his involvement had been legally vetted and adhered to federal law.

“Kentucky has a choice,” Hegseth remarked. “They can opt for fighters and support for the president against the radical left, or they can select obstructionists. It’s pretty straightforward in my view.”

As Trump continues to press against Massie, the long-serving incumbent stated that the criticism had influenced him, as he aimed to “vote out the individuals he didn’t favor.”

The Republican primary is set for Tuesday, May 19th.

Other Republicans in the race include figures like Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), and Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN). Reports have noted that Boebert has recently campaigned alongside Massie.

Trump had previously accused Boebert of being a “carpetbagger” after her shift to a different district, despite having backed her election to the new district.

While Trump criticized Massie, he stated that Boebert is campaigning for “the worst ‘Republican’ Congressman in history” and suggested that Massie deserved a challenge in the primary.