Republican Congressman Hurts Trump’s Feelings, Trump Demands He Lose His Seat

After Republican Congressman Chip Roy of Texas reaffirmed his support for Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primary, a furious Donald Trump called for Roy to be challenged in his own election—despite the fact that the filing deadline for candidates has already passed.

Roy, an outspoken Trump supporter for years, publicly endorsed DeSantis months ago. 

In recent campaign stops and interviews, Roy reaffirmed his support of DeSantis by arguing to voters that the Florida Governor is more likely to execute the sort of agenda that Trump promised but failed to deliver.

Roy also cited examples of Trump acting contrary to campaign promises and conservative principles during his administration, such as Trump’s working relationship with Dr. Anthony Fauci during the Covid pandemic and his $8 trillion contribution to the national debt.

In response, an angry Trump went on Truth Social to encourage someone more loyal to offer a primary challenge to Roy for his Congressional seat. But since the filing deadline for candidates has already passed in Texas, this request is impossible. 

Trump’s allegation that Roy is a RINO—Republican In Name Only—is particularly strange since Roy voted with Trump 90% of the time when he was president and has remained an outspoken opponent of President Biden and the Democratic Party. 

But to Trump and his cult, any Republican not personally loyal to him is not a Republican at all, and so Chip Roy now risks being consigned to the GOP trash heap in the eyes of MAGA—alongside Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney.