Key Highlights
- Key US politics stories from 27 December at a glanceThe Kentucky Republican congressman Thomas Massie – who was singled out by Donald Trump on Christmas as a “lowlife” after co-authoring a law requiring the federal government to release all of its Jeffrey Epstein files – says the president attacked him for keeping a commitment to “help victims”. The congressman then successfully sought donations for his run in the 2026 midterm elections against an opponent that Trump has endorsed. Massie, who has served in the US House since 2012, has become a thorn in Trump’s side, co-authoring the Epstein Files Transparency Act that sailed through Congress in November. Trump has endorsed a retired US navy seal, Ed Gallrein, to run against Massie in the Republican primary. Massie uses president’s insult to raise fundsOn Christmas, Trump posted a rant on his Truth Social platform that dismissed Congress’s interest in Epstein as a “scam” while referring to Massie – the only lawmaker named in the post – as “one lowlife ‘Republican’”. That prompted Massie to reply on X: “Imagine celebrating a blessed Christmas with your family … suddenly phones alert everyone to the most powerful man in the world attacking you … for fulfilling his campaign promise to help victims!”Massie’s account cited the “one lowlife ‘Republican’” phrase in the post’s text, highlighted it in screenshots of Trump’s tirade – and asked X users to “please support me” while providing a link to his campaign donations site.
- More than 40 people had donated nearly $3,000 within the first two hours, Massie’s account said in separate follow-up posts. Read the full storyRepublicans bracing for midterm trouncingThe omens for November 2026 are grim.
- Democrats appear galvanised and determined to curb Donald Trump’s power.
- Some Republicans are already deserting what they may fear is a sinking ship.
- Several Republican senators have announced they will not run for re-election next year. The polls suggest that groups who moved towards Trump in 2024 – including young voters and Latino voters – are now deserting him and returning to the Democratic fold, animated by jobs, inflation and healthcare. With the Epstein files also casting a long shadow, Trump appears increasingly out of touch.
