"He needs people willing to help him win," the defense secretary said at a campaign event for the Kentucky Republican's primary challenger.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a constant thorn in the side of GOP leaders during his eight terms in Congress, is no stranger to a primary challenge. But this year, President Donald Trump’s fury with the Kentucky libertarian has reached a boiling point.

Rep. Thomas Massie is looking to fend off a primary challenger as Trump vows to end the eight-term Republican’s career.

A handful of congressional Republicans defied President Donald Trump by throwing their support behind Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie. Trump

The president wants to oust the Kentucky Republican for voting against his spending bills, opposing his wars and pushing to release the Epstein files.

The Kentucky Republican's chances of winning his primary against a Trump-backed challenger have slipped sharply in recent days.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie has skewered Donald Trump with a savage impression on the eve of the most expensive House primary in American history. Massie, 55, has spent five years as one of the most reliable thorns in Trump’s side.

The president has tried to oust the Kentucky Republican for voting against his spending bills, opposing his wars and pushing to get the Epstein files released.