Ro Khanna says Thomas Massie lost primary over Epstein push, Iran stance: ‘Sadness, disappointment’

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Ro Khanna (D-Calif) on Sunday, May 24, sharply criticized the political forces behind Rep Thomas Massie’s Republican primary defeat, arguing the Kentucky congressman was targeted for challenging powerful interests in Washington.

Speaking days after Massie lost to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein, Khanna said the longtime lawmaker paid a political price for supporting transparency legislation related to Jeffrey Epstein and for opposing US military involvement in Iran.

Massie lost the GOP primary by more than nine points in one of the most expensive House primaries in recent history.

Ro Khanna links Thomas Massie loss to Epstein fight

During an appearance on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ Khanna described Massie as “a real friend” and “a good man” before arguing that his defeat stemmed from two specific issues. “Sadness, disappointment,” Khanna said when asked about Massie’s loss. “Thomas is a real friend. He’s a good man.”

“And he was taken out for two reasons,” Khanna continued. “One, he had the courage to go after some very powerful people in working with me to get the Epstein Transparency Act passed.”

Khanna referred to bipartisan legislation he introduced with Massie requiring the Justice Department to release files tied to Jeffrey Epstein investigations. The California Democrat described the bill as a rare example of bipartisan cooperation that drew backlash from influential interests in Washington.

“And second, he worked with me to stop this war in Iran,” Khanna said. “So, for taking on the Epstein class and taking on war, he basically lost his state. And I admire his courage in taking those positions.”

Khanna also indicated support for continued diplomacy with Iran amid reports that the Trump administration is nearing a framework agreement with Tehran. “I do believe we need a negotiated deal,” he said during the interview.

Thomas Massie backs possible Iran nuclear deal

Massie also appeared on ‘Meet the Press’ on May 24, where he defended both his record in Congress and his willingness to work across party lines. Asked whether he would support a short-term agreement with Iran after Donald Trump announced that a deal had “largely been negotiated,” Massie responded: “Heck yes, I would support it!”

“We don’t know what the terms of it are, but if Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz are crashing out last night, I’d say it’s probably a pretty good deal,” he added.

Massie linked his support for diplomacy to economic pressures facing constituents in Kentucky. “My constituents are hurting,” Massie said. “Gas is almost $5 a gallon. Diesel is almost $6 a gallon, and the farmers here in Kentucky can’t afford the fertilizer to put on their fields.”

Massie specifically pointed to his bipartisan partnership with Khanna on Epstein-related legislation as a turning point. “I think the biggest crime I committed against the swamp, Kristen, was showing the American people that somebody on the right could join somebody on the left and get something done,” he said.