GOP Rep. Thomas Massie, once targeted by Trump, gives former president 'full endorsement'

Rep. Thomas Massie – who erstwhile President Donald Trump erstwhile said should beryllium ousted from nan Republican Party – announced connected Friday that he is endorsing Trump for president.

In a connection issued connected Friday, nan Kentucky Republican endorsed Trump, and urged conservatives, libertarians, and independents to subordinate him successful casting their ballot for nan GOP statesmanlike candidate.

"Donald Trump will put Americans first by securing our liberties astatine location and preventing needless wars abroad. He will make America Healthy Again by empowering mini farmers and taking connected typical interests that person corrupted our healthcare system. He has moreover committed to freeing Ross Ulbricht who was wrongfully sentenced," Massie declared successful nan statement.

"For these and galore different reasons, he has my afloat endorsement," Massie added.

GOP LAWMAKER RIPS TRUMP FOR WADING INTO HOUSE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: ‘UNHELPFUL AND UNWARRANTED’

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has endorsed erstwhile President Donald Trump. (Left: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Right: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In a written remark to Fox News Digital connected Sunday, Massie explained that he wished nan 2024 statesmanlike title is "too important" for him to not "weigh-in."

"I had a awesome speech pinch [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] connected Friday and past pinch Donald Trump connected Saturday," Massie noted.

"I want to beryllium portion of nan alignment that puts nan attraction backmost connected regular group alternatively of corporations and bureaucracy," he continued. "One of nan different pressing issues of our time is that our meddling overseas has put america connected nan brink of war, and I judge Trump is nan only 1 who tin propulsion america backmost from that. For these reasons and those mentioned successful my endorsement, I came to nan conclusion that this statesmanlike predetermination is excessively important for maine not to weigh-in on."

Trump publically castigated Massie successful March 2020, calling for nan congressman to beryllium tossed from nan Republican Party. 

"Looks for illustration a 3rd complaint Grandstander named @RepThomasMassie, a Congressman from, unfortunately, a genuinely GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to ballot against nan caller Save Our Workers Bill successful Congress. He conscionable wants nan publicity. He can’t extremity it, only delay, which is some dangerous," Trump wrote, finishing nan condemnation successful different station by adding, "& costly."

"Workers & mini businesses request money now successful bid to survive. Virus wasn’t their fault. It is ‘HELL’ dealing pinch nan Dems, had to springiness up immoderate stupid things successful bid to get nan ‘big picture’ done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but propulsion Massie retired of Republican Party!" Trump tweeted.

TRUMP SCORCHES REP. MASSIE OVER THREAT TO DELAY CORONAVIRUS BILL, WANTS HIM BOOTED FROM GOP

Republican statesmanlike nominee erstwhile President Donald Trump arrives to speak astatine a news convention astatine Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, connected Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, successful Austin, Texas.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump fired disconnected nan onslaught connected Massie conscionable earlier nan lawmaker demanded a recorded ballot connected a monolithic COVID-19 pandemic-related spending measure.

Massie's request for a recorded ballot was yet rejected, but nan lawmaker had earned nan ire not only of Trump, but besides of galore lawmakers who returned to D.C. during nan episode.

Despite Trump's attack, Massie went connected to win a resounding triumph successful nan June 2020 Republican superior successful Kentucky's 4th Congressional District.

Trump later changed course, issuing a full-throated endorsement of Massie soon earlier nan lawmaker's 2022 superior victory.

JOHN KERRY CALLS REP. MASSIE AN ‘A--HOLE’ FOR CORONAVIRUS PACKAGE OBJECTIONS

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., speaks astatine nan Capitol successful Washington, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

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Last year, Massie endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president earlier nan politician announced his White House bid. 

DeSantis yet dropped retired and endorsed Trump successful January 2024 aft Trump won nan Iowa caucuses.

In June, Massie told Spectrum News that Trump was "endorsing non-conservatives successful Republican primaries correct now."