Trump-backed challenger defeats Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana GOP primary after Trump's sustained attacks

Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his Louisiana Republican primary after President Trump endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow and launched sustained attacks calling Cassidy a 'disloyal disaster' and 'sleazebag' who is 'BAD FOR LOUISIANA.' Cassidy, one of seven GOP senators who voted to convict Trump in the February 2021 impeachment trial following the January 6th attack, finished third behind Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming, who will advance to a runoff. The defeat marks the latest success in Trump's systematic purge of Republicans he views as disloyal, following his ousting of five Indiana state senators in March 2026. Despite Cassidy's attempts to repair relations with Trump and assure voters of his commitment to Trump's agenda, the president's retribution campaign—which intensified in the final weeks before the May 17 primary—mobilized voters against him. Trump's attacks included multiple Truth Social posts and rally appearances in Louisiana throughout April and early May 2026, demonstrating ...

"Bill Cassidy is a sleazebag, a terrible guy, who is BAD FOR LOUISIANA" — Trump's Truth Social attacks on Cassidy in the weeks leading up to the Louisiana GOP primary