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Trump Dominates in Primaries as Capitol Hill Flouts Him

Trump backs primary challengers and defends initiatives that have drawn opposition from Republican senators.

Trump Dominates in Primaries as Capitol Hill Flouts Him
Image · The Daily Signal

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Outlet credibilityThe Daily Signal57/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
tl;dr

Trump-backed candidates advanced or won in several Republican primaries, while Republican senators including Bill Cassidy and Thom Tillis opposed parts of the president’s agenda in Congress. The article describes disputes over Iran war powers, proposed White House ballroom funding and a Justice Department fund.

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Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose endorsements, proposed initiatives and disputes with Republican senators are central to the story

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

North Carolina senator opposing proposed White House ballroom funding and the Justice Department fund

Tillis's version of this story ↗
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator opposing proposed White House ballroom funding and the Justice Department fund

Cassidy's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Maine senator who voted to advance the Iran war-powers resolution

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative who lost his primary

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader commenting on the budget impasse and political climate

Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Alaska senator who voted to advance the Iran war-powers resolution

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Louisiana representative and Trump-backed Senate primary candidate

Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Senate candidate endorsed by Trump

Kentucky House candidate who defeated Thomas Massie in the primary

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator whose seat Paxton is seeking

Rand Paul
R · KY · SEN

Kentucky senator who voted to advance the Iran war-powers resolution

Part of a bigger story

17 OUTLETS
Massie and Cassidy Lose Primaries After Trump Backs Challengers

Thomas Massie lost Kentucky's Republican primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, and Bill Cassidy finished third in Louisiana's Republican Senate primary. Left-leaning outlets emphasize Trump's campaign against Massie and consider whether defeating Republican dissenters could backfire, while also treating the result as a test of his influence. Center outlets focus on Trump's influence in GOP primaries and the fallout, including Senate Republicans' response and whether departing lawmakers may challenge his agenda. Right-leaning outlets stress Trump's strength in primaries and present Massie's race as a test of whether the Tea Party's small-government politics survived his rise.

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