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Hegseth stumps for Massie challenger in stark break from Pentagon norms
The Hill ^ | May 18, 2026 | Ellen Mitchell

Posted on 05/18/2026 12:36:42 PM PDT by Miami Rebel

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hit the campaign trail on Monday to help former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein in his bid to unseat Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) in a GOP primary, a highly unusual move for any head of the Pentagon.

Hegseth appeared alongside Gallrein, who President Trump is backing against Massie, at a rally in Hebron, Ky., hosted by the Trump-allied group, America First Works.

Coming out to the opening notes of Van Halen’s “Jump,” heavy applause and chants of “USA!”, Hegseth quickly launched into a full-throated endorsement of Gallrein, who he described as a reinforcement to Trump’s agenda.

“President Trump needs reinforcements, and that’s what war fighters do. They stand behind leaders and have their back,” said the former Army National Guard infantryman. “War fighters understand mission, they understand teamwork, they understand loyalty, and they understand that in the middle of a fight, you don’t weaken your own side to advance to the objective, and that’s what Ed Galline understands, because he has lived it.”

Massie, a libertarian who has criticized the Iran war and unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, has been a thorn in the president’s side on numerous issues.

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: gross; hegseth; massie; notappropriate
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To: Miami Rebel

Hegseth gave a great speech. How are Trump, Vamce, Rubio, and other cabonet officials stumping for a candidate any different than Pete Hegseth stumping. He was able to give context about the candidate’s military record

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XU0BdqpOHQ
12 min video of Hegseth’s remarks


21 posted on 05/18/2026 2:17:07 PM PDT by JayGalt (A never ending battle for Truth, Justice & the American Way.)
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To: jimwatx

Mandy Arthur
@mandyarthur
·
3h
Hey
@grok
, did Ed Gallrein lie about his military service? Be very concise.

Grok

@grok
·
3h
**There are documented inconsistencies in Ed Gallrein’s claims** (e.g., four Bronze Stars vs. records showing three in prior documents, plus questions on exact retirement timeline). He had a long, real Navy SEAL career with combat deployments, but these discrepancies have sparked valid stolen valor concerns.

https://x.com/grok/status/2056430754528100491


22 posted on 05/18/2026 2:24:07 PM PDT by jimwatx
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To: jimwatx

“”””Fellow Navy Seals who knew Gallrein all have negative things to say about him.””””

How many is that “all” from his 30 year career and rising to SEAL Team 6?


23 posted on 05/18/2026 2:30:48 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: lodi90
We've got a hot war against Iran with thousands of our troops in danger and the “Secretary of War” has nothing better to do than play stump politics and create some reality TV content.

I see you're concerned about our troops.

Massie wants to defund them.

Hegseath and the candidate he PERSONASLLY supports wants to prevent them from being defunded.

24 posted on 05/18/2026 2:41:06 PM PDT by FreeReign
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To: Miami Rebel

Hegseth is a CIVILIAN!


25 posted on 05/18/2026 2:47:54 PM PDT by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts )
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To: aMorePerfectUnion; Miami Rebel
Stephen Miller keeps getting mogged for spouting easily refutable falsehoods.

Nothing stopped Speaker Johnson from advancing a standalone ICE/BP funding bill, but they keep putting a bunch of crap in to make it a poison pill.

26 posted on 05/18/2026 3:21:41 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007 (There is nothing new under the sun.)
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To: Ultra Sonic 007
IMG-9840

Supporting Massie

27 posted on 05/18/2026 3:45:33 PM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (🦅 MAGADONIAN ⚔️ LIF)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion; Alberta's Child
Does anyone honestly believe that everyone from Jack Dorsey on down in that list would vote or endorse Massie over a Democrat in a general election?

Or do you think they're cynically trying to exploit things to drive a wedge between Trump and the more moderate elements of his base (such as libertarians and those more like Massie in mind) because he decided to endorse an empty suit opponent against a sitting GOP congressman that votes Trump's way 9 times out of 10?

(And it all comes across as so incredibly egregious because the amount of invective that Trump has spilled about Massie would never go against the likes John Thune or Lindsey Grahamnesty, much less his endorsement for the likes of a mass amnesty supporter like Maria Salazar.)

28 posted on 05/18/2026 4:18:45 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007 (There is nothing new under the sun.)
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To: pterional

You are a sucker for the worst anti-Zionist propaganda. Much of which is generated by Muslims these days. Face Mecca when you do your prayers.


29 posted on 05/18/2026 4:29:33 PM PDT by dennisw (Qatarlson the Insufferable blowhard. There is no limit to human stupidity. |||||||||||||||||||||||||)
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To: Miami Rebel
Massie is my favorite Congressman though I disagree with him on Iran.

I recognize that SoW is a political appointment. I think it is appropriate for him to loyally support the POTUS every chance he gets.

30 posted on 05/18/2026 5:41:14 PM PDT by Theophilus (covfefe!)
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To: dennisw

Put on your yarmulke and kiss the wall while the locals spit on you, because that is the true relationship. Wake up before it’s too late.


31 posted on 05/18/2026 6:54:59 PM PDT by pterional
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To: Republican Wildcat

Great post! May Massie’s career rot in Hades.


32 posted on 05/18/2026 7:17:11 PM PDT by ohioman
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To: lodi90

FU leftist scumbag!


33 posted on 05/18/2026 7:18:37 PM PDT by ohioman
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To: jimwatx

No surprise a leftist troll such as yourself would side with Massie.


34 posted on 05/18/2026 7:21:23 PM PDT by ohioman
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To: DownThe405
being dumped into defeating a conservative congressman in Kentucky.

OH. MY. SIDES! Massie is the biggest Masshole in D.C. Worthless.

35 posted on 05/18/2026 7:24:02 PM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: DownThe405

“defeating a conservative congressman in Kentucky”

If you are referring to Massie. ... LIBERTARIAN!


36 posted on 05/18/2026 7:28:39 PM PDT by TexasGator
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To: usconservative

And so your solution is to replace him with an establishment/foreign-money backed RINO?


37 posted on 05/18/2026 8:09:07 PM PDT by DownThe405
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To: TexasGator

And Gallrein left the party completely when Trump was elected in 2020.. so what’s your point?


38 posted on 05/18/2026 8:11:23 PM PDT by DownThe405
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To: Miami Rebel

“I don’t like the look of the Secretary of War getting personally involved.”

I’m fine with it. If Trump can be involved (and he is), why not his Cabinet?

Maybe there is a beach of ethics, but I don’t see it.


39 posted on 05/18/2026 8:34:03 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam ( "Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away". - B. Franklin)
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To: lodi90
“ We've got a hot war against Iran with thousands of our troops in danger and the “Secretary of War” has nothing better to do than play stump politics and create some reality TV content.”

This “hot” war compared to……

https://cdn.britannica.com/98/205998-050-DC199E7E/troops-woman-town-buildings-French-Germans-retreat-June-10-1944.jpg

https://www.normandy1944.info/photographs/horrors-of-wwii

40 posted on 05/18/2026 8:51:49 PM PDT by Chgogal (The NYT is the mouthpiece of the violent left-wing Democrat Party.)
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