Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images
- Two House Republicans voted against the "Big Beautiful Bill" on Thursday.
- Now, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump wants them to face primary challenges.
- "I don't think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress," she said.
Four months into his second term, President Donald Trump wants members of his own party thrown out of office over their perceived lack of loyalty to his "Big Beautiful Bill"
That was the message delivered by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt after two Republicans — Reps. Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky — voted against Trump's bill as it passed the House on Thursday.
Asked by a reporter at a briefing later on Thursday whether Trump think the duo should be primaried, Leavitt responded: "I believe he does."
"I don't think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress," Leavitt said. "'What's the alternative?' I would ask those members of Congress. Did they want to see a tax hike? Did they want to see our country go bankrupt?"
Both Massie and Davidson are deficit hawks who voted against the bill because, in their view, it did not cut spending enough.
I agree with @WarrenDavidson. If we were serious, we’d be cutting spending now, instead of promising to cut spending years from now. https://t.co/DFxTyhhYA9
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 22, 2025
Other Republicans have raised concerns about the bill's effect on the deficit but voted for it anyway. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, the chairman of the hardline House Freedom Caucus, voted "present."
In response to Leavitt's comments, Massie asked for donations on X.
"For voting on principle, I now have the President AND his press Secretary campaigning against me from the White House podium," Massie wrote. "Can you help me by donating?"
A spokesperson for Davidson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
While the Ohio congressman doesn't typically cross Trump, the president has long been critical of Massie — and vice versa. The Kentucky Republican backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the 2024 GOP primary, and Trump previously called for Massie to face a primary challenge in 2020.
Earlier this week, Trump bashed Massie in front of reporters.
"I don't think Thomas Massie understands government. I think he's a grandstander," Trump said on Tuesday. "I think he should be voted out of office."