Trump revenge plot derailed as unexpected GOP challenger throws wrench in Louisiana plan
President Donald Trump's revenge campaign against Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy has hit a significant snag.
The 79-year-old president has backed Rep. Julia Letlow to unseat Cassidy — one of only three Senate Republicans who voted to convict him over Jan. 6 — but state treasurer John Fleming's self-funded campaign is forcing a likely runoff and testing Trump's political dominance over the Republican base, reported CNN.
Cassidy's impeachment vote enraged the president, who won Louisiana by 22 percentage points in 2024, and the senator further antagonized the White House by criticizing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decisions and blocking Trump's surgeon general nominee, Dr. Casey Means.
Fleming, a former House Freedom Caucus member who served as a Trump administration official, has emerged as an unexpected obstacle. Despite resisting three separate White House entreaties to withdraw — including one offering "some accommodation to me, maybe a job" — Fleming has remained in the race, forcing both Letlow and Cassidy to contend with a three-way primary.
Fleming alleged that a former Centers for Disease Control official offered him the agency position as an inducement to drop out, claiming the official then became chair of Letlow's campaign after leaving the CDC. The official denied the accusation, though the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
The campaign has devolved into chaos, CNN reported. Letlow's super PAC has spent roughly 10 times more advertising money attacking Fleming than Cassidy, while Cassidy largely ignores Fleming to focus on Letlow. Meanwhile, Cassidy watches from the sidelines as his two challengers clash, with his campaign issuing statements promoting their "cage match" complete with popcorn emojis, CNN reported.
Fleming challenges the authenticity of Trump's Letlow endorsement, claiming Gov. Jeff Landry blocked him from making his case to the president, and he attempted to secure a Louisiana GOP endorsement but fell one signature short after four members rescinded their support — a failure Fleming attributes to Landry's influence.
The primary serves as a bellwether for Trump's political power heading into a higher-profile revenge primary Tuesday against Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie.
While deep-red Louisiana will likely remain Republican regardless of the nominee, Saturday's result will reveal whether Trump's endorsement and pressure tactics can overcome Fleming's deep community roots and self-funded resources.
Cassidy has pragmatically distanced himself from Trump's ire, telling reporters: "I don't really think President Trump likes me that much, but we work really well together."
He continues highlighting legislative accomplishments and his Senate leadership role, essentially ignoring the presidential vendetta while Letlow and Fleming battle for anti-Cassidy votes.