Record $25M Battle: Trump-Backed Candidate vs. GOP Critic in Kentucky House Primary

The battle between Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and President Trump-backed rival Ed Gallrein has set a new record as the most expensive U.S. House primary in history—totaling over $25.6 million in ad spending, according to AdImpact.

The race has also become one of the nastiest, marked by AI deepfakes, inflammatory accusations, and savage personal attacks from both sides.

AI Deepfakes and Outlandish Accusations

Pro-Gallrein super PACs have deployed AI-generated content to smear Massie. One ad features a fabricated scene of Massie dining and holding hands with Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), labeling him part of a "throuple" and accusing him of betraying the America First movement.

In response, pro-Massie groups have targeted Gallrein’s conservative credentials. One AI-generated ad portrays the retired Navy SEAL as abandoning Trump on a battlefield, branding him "woke Eddie."

Attacks on Conservative Credentials

Both candidates have accused each other of being insufficiently conservative on key social issues, including:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies
• Transgender rights
• Black Lives Matter
• Immigration

Massie, a staunch isolationist and vocal critic of Israel, has faced heavy opposition from pro-Israel groups. The Republican Jewish Coalition has spent $4 million supporting Gallrein, while AIPAC’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, has contributed another $2.6 million.

Record-Breaking Ad Spending

The $25.6 million spent in this race surpasses the previous record of $25.2 million in the 2024 cycle, when AIPAC targeted Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) over his criticism of Israel.

Massie’s campaign has spent $5.6 million on ads, while pro-Massie groups Kentucky 4th PAC and Kentucky First PAC have added $4.6 million and $920,000, respectively. Trump-aligned MAGA KY has spent $5.6 million, with Gallrein’s campaign contributing $1.3 million.

Controversial Ad Targets Pro-Gallrein Donor

A new ad by Hold The Line PAC features a Jewish pro-Gallrein donor, Paul Singer, with a rainbow Star of David in the background. The ad accuses Gallrein of being "bought and paid for by the LGBTQ mafia," calling his values "freak values."

Singer, a billionaire financier and GOP megadonor, is openly gay and has supported LGBTQ+ rights causes. Neither Massie’s campaign, Singer, nor his hedge fund Elliott Management responded to requests for comment.

The ad is tracked by AdImpact, which notes that Hold The Line PAC previously supported right-wing candidates like Colton Moore in Georgia’s 14th district.