Republicans learn a lesson: Don’t cross Trump

In today’s issue: It’s Wednesday. The weather for Memorial Day weekend looks crummy for much of the U.S. this year. See if that stops me from celebrating properly! 🍦🎆

Trump dominates Tuesday primaries

Trump dominates Tuesday primaries

Massie goes down to GOP challenger

Massie goes down to GOP challenger

IRS quietly promises to drop Trump family audits

IRS quietly promises to drop Trump family audits

Trump administration sues Minn. over prediction market ban

Trump administration sues Minn. over prediction market ban

Raúl Castro charges expected today

Raúl Castro charges expected today

Fourth Republican backs limiting Trump’s Iran power

Fourth Republican backs limiting Trump’s Iran power

Donald Trump, the ultimate primary boss:

President Trump’s approval rating is in the dumps. He’s led the U.S. into a widely unpopular war with Iran and is giving Republicans a migraine over his pivots away from the economy and toward his pet projects, such as building a massive, controversial White House ballroom and compensating his allies who claim they’ve been wronged.

But Republicans have learned a tough lesson over the past several days: None of that matters. Do not cross him. There’s no room for Trump dissenters within the Republican Party.

On Tuesday night: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has been a thorn in Trump’s side, became the latest to fall. He lost his primary, which was the most expensive House primary in U.S. history, after Trump backed his challenger, Ed Gallrein.

For what it’s worth, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) blames Massie’s loss on the release of the Epstein files but says it was worth it. (Massie co-sponsored the legislation to force the release of the files.)

And over the weekend: Incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who voted to convict Trump during the 2021 impeachment trial, also lost his primary. Trump played a major role in his ouster, backing one of his challengers and calling him a “sleazebag, a terrible guy, who is bad for Louisiana.” Cassidy didn’t even place in the top two.

Oh, and on Tuesday afternoon: Trump snubbed incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), handing his valuable endorsement to Cornyn’s challenger, state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn is a powerful senator who is deeply respected by his colleagues, serving as the Senate GOP whip during Trump’s first term. Now, Cornyn will likely lose his seat.

^ Fellow Senate Republicans are frustrated, angry and sad by Trump’s decision, according to reporting by The Hill’s Alexander Bolton.

💡 But does this help Republicans win in the November midterms?: That’s the big question. Trump certainly settled his political scores with his political opponents by backing their........

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