An unusual coalition wants to recruit outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie to serve as the Libertarian Party's 2028 presidential nominee, according to a report by Axios reporter Brittany Gibson. The outlet's headline describes the group as "MAGA castoffs."
Axios reported that the effort rests on a bet that fractures within the MAGA movement can turn a third-party candidacy into a spoiler for the Republican nominee. The Axios summary presents the plan as an attempt to use those divisions in the 2028 presidential race.
Axios reported that organizers see a fighter in Massie, whom it describes as a frequent critic of President Trump. According to the outlet, Massie pushed hard on releasing the Epstein files.
Axios also said Massie lost a primary it describes as bitter. The summary cuts off before explaining the circumstances of that loss, so the available text does not identify the contest or how the defeat came about.
The Axios summary does not say whether Massie has responded to the recruitment effort, and it does not name the organizers beyond describing them as a coalition. It also gives no timeline for the 2028 nomination process, and it does not say which party officials, if any, have commented on the proposal.
The Axios summary is brief, so this account relies only on the points it contains. It includes no quotations from organizers, Massie, the Libertarian Party, or the Republican Party, and it reports no responses from them. Readers seeking the full account can consult the Axios report.