Skip to main content
5 min read
◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Cassidy tried to get along with Trump after his impeachment vote. Retribution came anyway

Trump’s endorsement and reaction to Cassidy’s loss figure prominently in the account of the Louisiana primary.

Cassidy tried to get along with Trump after his impeachment vote. Retribution came anyway
Image · New Haven Register

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityNew Haven Register85/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

Credibility rates New Haven Register, where this article appeared. The other scores rate the article itself.

Original publisher not identified

This article credits another publisher, which ChamberLight has not identified, so the scores are New Haven Register's own.

New Haven Registeroriginal publisher not identified
May 17, 2026
tl;dr

Bill Cassidy finished third in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary and did not advance to a runoff, after failing to regain President Donald Trump’s support. Julia Letlow and John Fleming will compete for the nomination, in a result the article presents as evidence of Trump’s influence over the party.

Community verdict

42 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Letlow and criticized Cassidy after his primary loss

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator who lost the Republican primary

Cassidy's version of this story ↗
Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

South Carolina senator commenting on Cassidy’s defeat and Trump’s influence

Richard Burr
Former U.S. Senator (R-NC)

Former North Carolina senator who voted to convict Trump

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Maine senator facing Trump’s criticism

Mitt Romney
Former U.S. Senator (R-UT)

Former Utah senator who voted to convict Trump

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative whom Trump is backing a primary challenger against

Colorado representative whom Trump said he might stop endorsing

Patrick J. Toomey
Former U.S. Senator (R-PA)

Former Pennsylvania senator who voted to convict Trump

Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Alaska senator and vocal Trump skeptic

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
R · Secretary of Health and Human Services

Secretary of Health and Human Services whose nomination Cassidy supported

Kamala Harris
Former U.S. Senator (D-CA)

Democratic presidential candidate cited in background about Maine’s political alignment

Benjamin Sasse
Former U.S. Senator (R-NE)

Former Nebraska senator who voted to convict Trump

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative and Trump-endorsed candidate advancing to the Republican runoff

Louisiana Senate candidate advancing to the Republican runoff

Part of a bigger story

45 OUTLETS
Bill Cassidy Loses Louisiana Republican Primary

Bill Cassidy finished third and was eliminated from Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary; Julia Letlow and John Fleming advanced to a runoff. Donald Trump backed Letlow and campaigned against Cassidy. Left-leaning outlets link Cassidy’s defeat to Trump’s campaign against him and Cassidy’s conflicts with the administration. Center outlets mostly treat the result as a test of Trump’s influence, while also reporting the race and, in some coverage, Louisiana election concerns. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Trump’s backing of Letlow as a political win and portray Cassidy’s defeat as a rebuke of his opposition to Trump.

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…