Trending Now - Graham: Cassidy's Loss Signals Risks in Attacking Trump

WHO:

PBS - Charles Wandfluh, a voter in Louisiana, described Bill Cassidy as "just a squirrel running around the tree, chasing nuts to find whatever he can get to benefit him."

NBC News - Mark Schulingkanp, a 46-year-old shipping industry worker, stated that he voted for Julia Letlow to avoid the conflict that has marked Cassidy's relationship with Trump.

NBC News - Jeanelle Chachere, a 66-year-old nurse, called Cassidy a "phony" and said she voted for Letlow solely because of Trump's endorsement.

NBC News - Mark Workman, a 75-year-old retired physician, expressed that he voted for John Fleming to punish Cassidy for backing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation.

PBS - U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow stated, "There is no greater endorsement than the endorsement of President Trump," after her performance in the primary.

Fox News - Sen. John Kennedy stated that Trump's endorsement had a "huge impact" in Louisiana's Senate race.

PBS - U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, endorsed by Trump, and state Treasurer John Fleming, a former Trump administration official, will compete for the Republican nomination on June 27.

Fox News - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) warns Republicans about the risks of attacking Trump.

NBC News - Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, a two-term Republican, lost his primary election.

WHAT:

NBC News - Cassidy's defeat is described as the latest and perhaps most spectacular failure by a Republican who tried to cross Trump and get away with it.

NBC News - Trump suggested he could target U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado due to her support for Thomas Massie, stating, "Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my Honor to withdraw that Endorsement, and endorse a good and proper alternative."

NPR - Cassidy finished last in a three-way primary, illustrating Trump's strong influence over the Republican Party.

NPR - After this year, at least five of the seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump will no longer be in office.

PBS - Cassidy's defeat demonstrated the near-impossibility of a political future within the Republican Party without Trump's acquiescence.

NBC News - Cassidy finished third in the primary, falling short of even making a runoff despite outspending his rivals.

NBC News - Trump posted on social media that it was a "great victory speech tonight by Julia!!!" after Letlow's performance in the primary.

NBC News - Trump described Cassidy as ungrateful for previous support, stating, "His disloyalty to the man who got him elected is now a part of legend, and it's nice to see that his political career is OVER!"

AP - Cassidy's defeat demonstrated the near-impossibility of a political future within the Republican Party without Trump's acquiescence.

AP - Cassidy finished third in the primary, falling short of even making a runoff despite outspending his rivals.

NBC News - Cassidy finished third in the primary, falling short of even making a runoff.

NBC News - Bill Cassidy lost his seat in a primary election.

NBC News Politics - Lindsey Graham stated that Cassidy's loss shows there is “no room” in the GOP to oppose Trump’s agenda.

NBC News Politics - Graham warned that Republicans who oppose Trump “are going to get destroyed.”

WHERE:

NBC News - The primary election took place in Louisiana.

WHEN:

NPR - The primary election occurred on a Saturday.

NBC News - Cassidy lost his seat in a primary election that occurred on a Saturday.

WHY:

NBC News - Many Republican voters felt that Cassidy's vote to convict Trump was a betrayal, which contributed to his defeat.

NPR - Many Republican voters felt that Cassidy's vote to convict Trump was a betrayal.

NBC News Politics - Cassidy's defeat is attributed to his decision to break with Trump, particularly his vote to convict Trump for actions on January 6th.

HOW:

NBC News - Cassidy attempted to assure Republican voters that he remained committed to Trump's agenda, but this did not satisfy their loyalty to Trump.

NPR - Cassidy attempted to repair his relationship with Trump supporters while maintaining his independent streak, which proved to be impossible according to former Louisiana Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne.

NBC News - Cassidy attempted to portray himself as aligned with Trump, but voters were not satisfied due to his impeachment vote against Trump.

AP - Cassidy attempted to portray himself as aligned with Trump, but voters were not satisfied due to his impeachment vote against Trump.

NBC News - Trump posted on social media that it was a "great victory speech tonight by Julia!!!" after Letlow's performance in the primary.

NBC News - Trump is targeting political rivals ahead of the midterms, with another primary fight set for this week.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 23:19 UTC)

In a stunning political shift, Bill Cassidy faced defeat in his recent election, a consequence many Republican voters attributed to his vote to convict Trump, which they viewed as a betrayal. Voters expressed their discontent, with one Louisiana resident describing Cassidy as "just a squirrel running around the tree," while others opted for Julia Letlow, citing her endorsement from Trump as a key factor. Meanwhile, Trump hinted at potentially withdrawing his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, signaling that loyalty to his agenda remains a crucial element in Republican politics.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 19:25 UTC)

U.S. Representative Julia Letlow expressed her belief that there is no greater endorsement than that of Trump following her performance in the primary election, which took place on a Saturday. Meanwhile, Cassidy finished last in a three-way primary, demonstrating Trump's significant influence over the Republican Party, especially as many Republican voters viewed Cassidy's vote to convict Trump as a betrayal. After this year, at least five of the seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump will no longer be in office, highlighting the ongoing impact of Trump's endorsement and the challenges faced by those who diverged from his support.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 14:18 UTC)

Cassidy's recent defeat in the primary highlighted the challenges of pursuing a political future within the Republican Party without Trump's support, as he finished third and failed to make the runoff despite outspending his opponents. Trump took to social media to celebrate Letlow's performance, praising her victory speech and labeling Cassidy as ungrateful for his past support, declaring that Cassidy's political career is now over. Despite Cassidy's attempts to align himself with Trump, voters were not convinced, largely due to his impeachment vote against the former president.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 06:18 UTC)

Senator John Kennedy highlighted the significant influence of Trump's endorsement in Louisiana's Senate race, noting it had a "huge impact." Cassidy's defeat in the primary, where he finished third and failed to make a runoff despite outspending his rivals, underscores the challenges of navigating a political future in the Republican Party without Trump's support. Although Cassidy tried to align himself with Trump, voters were not convinced, largely due to his impeachment vote against the former president.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 04:16 UTC)

U.S. Representative Julia Letlow, endorsed by Trump, will face off against state Treasurer John Fleming, a former Trump administration official, for the Republican nomination on June 27. In the recent primary, Cassidy finished third and did not qualify for the runoff. Following Letlow's performance, Trump praised her on social media, calling it a "great victory speech tonight by Julia!!!"

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 01:31 UTC)

Senator Lindsey Graham is warning Republicans about the dangers of opposing Trump, stating that the recent primary loss of Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy shows there is “no room” in the GOP for dissent against Trump’s agenda. Cassidy lost his seat in a primary election after breaking with Trump, particularly due to his vote to convict Trump for actions on January 6th. As Trump continues to target political rivals ahead of the midterms, another primary fight is set for this week.