Trump mocks Bill Cassidy after primary loss: ‘Nice to see that his political career is over!’

WASHINGTON, DC: Five and a half years after voting to convict President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, Sen Bill Cassidy has officially been shown the door by Louisiana Republicans.

Trump-backed Rep Julia Letlow and Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming finished ahead of Cassidy in Republican Senate primary, according to the Associated Press, knocking the incumbent out of contention in a bruising defeat that reinforced Trump’s grip on the GOP.

With most votes counted late Saturday night, Letlow led the field with 45% of the vote, while Fleming pulled in roughly 28%. Cassidy lagged behind at just under 25%. Because no candidate crossed the 50% threshold, Letlow and Fleming will head to a runoff next month for the Republican nomination.

Cassidy’s loss also puts him in rare company. He becomes the first elected Republican senator to lose renomination since former Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar was defeated in a 2012 primary.

Trump celebrates Bill Cassidy’s crushing Louisiana primary loss

Even though Trump himself wasn’t on the ballot, the Louisiana race quickly became another referendum on his influence within the Republican Party. The results handed him another clear win.

Trump unloaded on Cassidy on social media. He branded the senator “a disloyal disaster” and “a sleazebag, a terrible guy, who is BAD FOR LOUISIANA.”

After Cassidy’s defeat became official, Trump celebrated online by declaring, "Bill Cassidy, after falsely using his 'relationship' with me during his political career, and winning Elections because of it, voted to impeach me on preposterous charges that were fake then, and now, are criminally insane! His disloyalty to the man who got him elected is now a part of legend, and it’s nice to see that his political career is OVER!."

"I’d like to thank the Great People of the State of Louisiana, and this Big Victory will only make me work even harder for your success, and all that comes with it. I LOVE YOU ALL. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J TRUMP."

Cassidy’s problems with the GOP base have lingered ever since he became one of only seven Republican senators to vote in early 2021 to convict Trump following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Senate, but Cassidy’s vote remained political baggage in a state Trump carried by 22 points in the 2024 election.

The senator had tried to repair relations with the MAGA wing during Trump’s second term, backing much of the president’s agenda and supporting several nominees, including Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, but it clearly wasn’t enough to win back the Republican base.

Trump, meanwhile, had fully embraced Letlow well before she officially entered the race in January, later calling her a “Highly Respected America First Congresswoman.”

Bill Cassidy concedes as Julia Letlow praises Trump support

While conceding to supporters, Cassidy couldn’t resist slipping in what appeared to be a jab at Trump.

“When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you want it to,” Cassidy said.

“But you don't pout, you don't whine. You don't claim the election was stolen… You don't manufacture some excuse,” he continued. “You thank the voters for the privilege of representing the state or the country for as long as you've had that privilege. And that's what I'm doing right now.”

The comments landed as a not-so-subtle reference to Trump’s continued claims surrounding the 2020 election. Still, the night belonged to Letlow, who celebrated the result as proof that Louisiana Republicans remain firmly aligned with Trump.

“Louisiana made it clear tonight: we are ready for strong conservative leadership that will stand with President Trump and never waver,” Letlow wrote on X after the race was called. 

Speaking to Fox News before the primary, Letlow said Trump personally encouraged her to jump into the race. “Not only did he encourage me to get into this race, but also to have his complete and total endorsement has been, wow, the honor of a lifetime,” she said.

She also made clear just how valuable Trump’s backing was in deep-red Louisiana. “It's the most powerful endorsement in the world,” Letlow said, adding that Louisiana Republicans “are huge fans of the president.”

Letlow also received support from Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry, another close Trump ally.

Now, attention shifts to next month’s runoff between Letlow and Fleming. In heavily Republican Louisiana, the eventual GOP nominee is widely expected to cruise through the general election and keep the Senate seat in Republican hands.