Cheney, Turner request return of donations to Massie's primary opponent after racist tweets surface

Cheney, Turner request return of donations to Massie's primary opponent after racist tweets surface

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyOvernight Defense: Senate confirms US military’s first African American service chief | Navy to ban display of Confederate flags | GOP lawmakers urge Trump not to cut troops in Germany Republicans urge Trump to reject slashing US troop presence in Germany Cheney blasts Trump move to draw down troops in Germany: ‘Dangerously misguided’ MORE (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio) are requesting the return of contributions made to Rep. Thomas MassieThomas Harold MassieRep. Massie called out by primary opponent for previous display of Confederate flag House holds first-ever proxy votes during pandemic House GOP lawmaker breaks with party to back proxy voting MORE’s (R-Ky.) primary opponent, Todd McMurtry, after news broke that the candidate posted racist tweets in the past. 

Cheney — the No. 3 Republican in the House who led efforts to publicly denounce Rep. Steve KingSteven (Steve) Arnold KingGOP lawmakers say Steve King’s loss could help them in November The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden on the cusp of formally grasping the Democratic nomination The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Sights and sounds from the protests MORE (R-Iowa) over remarks he made last year about white supremacy and Western civilization — said she was unaware of the comments when the donation was made and that racism should not be tolerated by the party. Turner echoed the Wyoming Republican’s comments.

“We as Republicans must not condone racism in any form. Last night I was alerted to tweets by a candidate to whom my political action committee made a contribution. After reviewing the tweets, I asked that the contribution be returned,” Cheney tweeted on Saturday. 

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In October, McMurtry reportedly tweeted: “I am in Austin this weekend. Glad to be in this group. #redneck #racist #f—wit Just had the best BBQ of my life.”

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Massie and Rep. Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) GaetzFloyd’s brother urges Congress to take action Philonise Floyd asks Congress to deliver justice for his brother Overnight Defense: Senate confirms US military’s first African American service chief | Navy to ban display of Confederate flags | GOP lawmakers urge Trump not to cut troops in Germany MORE (R-Fla.) took to Twitter to take aim at the Wyoming Republican for the donation to McMurtry.

“@RepLizCheney is the @HouseGOP Chair, guides House GOP messaging, runs all House GOP meetings, and is actively working to elect this guy. Is this her vision for the GOP Conference?” Massie tweeted on Saturday morning.

Massie then went after Turner, alleging that his rebuke of McMurtry’s comments wasn’t strong enough.

“.@RepMikeTurner doesn’t even have words for getting caught inviting racism into the party. It’s #refundseason,” he tweeted. 

Gaetz — who previously had tension with Cheney over a vote on war powers earlier this year — defended Massie. 

“.@Liz_Cheney is the GOP Conference Chair. She has $ supported this proudly racist candidate. She owes Republicans an explanation.  Liz – How do you square your support of McMurtry w what you said about Steve King? Do we tolerate Racism if it’s Anti-Massie? Or paired w BBQ?” he tweeted.

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Cheney, Turner and the Republican Jewish Coalition made donations to McMurtry after Massie forced members to return to Washington to vote on a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package amid the pandemic last month. 

Massie’s move sparked strong backlash from members on both sides of the aisle and President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE, who argued the Libertarian was putting his congressional colleagues and staff at risk during a health emergency. 

“Looks like a third rate Grandstander named @RepThomasMassie, a Congressman from, unfortunately, a truly GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to vote against the new Save Our Workers Bill in Congress. He just wants the publicity. He can’t stop it, only delay, which is both dangerous & costly,” Trump tweeted ahead of the vote on the stimulus package.

“Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive. Virus wasn’t their fault. It is ‘HELL’ dealing with the Dems, had to give up some stupid things in order to get the ‘big picture’ done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party!” he added.

Massie at the time argued against passing legislation of that magnitude by unanimous consent because “our republic doesn’t die by unanimous consent.”

Updated: 3:26 p.m.