Just days after losing one of the most closely watched Republican primaries of the year, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) is already planning his political comeback.

Massie filed Monday to run for federal office again in 2028 after suffering a bruising primary defeat last week to former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, a challenger backed heavily by President Donald Trump and outside conservative groups.

The race quickly became a national proxy battle over loyalty to Trump and the future direction of the Republican Party.

More than $32 million was spent during the contest, making it one of the most expensive House primaries in recent history.

Massie, a longtime libertarian-leaning conservative, had increasingly broken with Trump in recent months on issues ranging from foreign policy to congressional oversight. He also supported efforts to push for the release of federal files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, placing him further at odds with Trump allies.

Trump openly targeted Massie throughout the campaign. In a Truth Social post published earlier this year, Trump called Massie “a simple-minded grandstander” and declared that the Kentucky congressman was “not MAGA.”

The president’s endorsement of Gallrein ultimately helped reshape the race, with pro-Trump groups and pro-Israel organizations flooding Kentucky airwaves with advertising attacking Massie’s record. Massie has been an outspoken critic of Israeli military actions during his time in Congress, a position that drew sharp backlash from influential conservative donors.

Despite the loss, Massie signaled Monday that he has no intention of leaving politics behind.

In a statement announcing his filing, Massie said the move would allow him “to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office.”

He added that he has not yet decided which office he plans to seek.

Massie’s defeat is part of a broader effort by Trump to remove Republicans viewed as disloyal or insufficiently aligned with his agenda. Last week, Trump-backed candidates also defeated Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and Georgia Republican Brad Raffensperger, who had both drawn criticism from Trump supporters in recent years.

The president has continued to flex his influence ahead of the 2026 midterms, including his recent endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in a bitter Senate primary fight.

Still, some Republicans have privately expressed concern that Trump’s aggressive push against fellow Republicans could weaken the party in competitive general election races. Costly primaries and ideological divisions have become a growing source of tension inside GOP circles as Republicans work to maintain congressional majorities.

For Massie, the filing appears aimed at keeping future options open while preserving a national fundraising network that has supported his outsider brand for years.

Even after a high-profile defeat, Massie seems determined to remain part of the Republican conversation heading into the next election cycle.