Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is calling on donors to support his reelection campaign after President Donald Trump publicly suggested he should be “voted out of office” for not falling in line with the Republican Medicaid and tax cut bill.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Trump-endorsed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” would use cuts in Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to help pay for tax cuts for all income groups, but that would especially benefit the rich.
The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the legislation would add $2.3 trillion to deficits over the next decade and add $3.1 trillion to the national debt.
In addition to cutting essential services for the lowest-income U.S. households, the bill also contains a provision to eliminate a sales tax on gun silencers, Reuters reports.
Massie criticized the legislation, warning CNN’s Manu Raju Tuesday that the bill would only add to the national deficit.
“We’re going to add $20 trillion to the debt over the next 10 years, which is three and a half to $5 trillion more than would have been added otherwise,” Massie said.
Trump came after Massie that same day at a press gaggle on Capitol Hill.
“I don’t think Thomas Massie understands government,” Trump said. “I think he’s a grandstander. ... We don’t even talk to him much. I think he should be voted out of office.”
Following the president’s suggestion that he be voted out of office, Massie took to social media Tuesday and called for donors to help fund his reelection campaign.
“For having the audacity to say this bill does NOT repeal the green new deal, but DOES increase the deficit and debt substantially, I was threatened by Trump today,” Massie wrote on X.