Election live updates: Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania and 3 other states hold major primary contests

Six states—Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania—held primary elections, with President Donald Trump actively campaigning to influence outcomes. In Kentucky, Trump directly targeted Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., for defying his stance on a GOP tax bill and a measure demanding the Justice Department release Jeffrey Epstein’s files. Trump endorsed Massie’s challenger, Ed Gallrein, alongside other candidates in Kentucky and Alabama, including Rep. Andy Barr for Senate and Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., also for Senate. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before a Senate subcommittee regarding the DOJ’s $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund, created after Trump dropped a lawsuit against the IRS. Senators raised concerns over whether the fund could benefit Trump’s campaign donors or individuals convicted of assaulting police officers during the January 6 Capitol riot. Blanche declined to commit exclusions, stating that anyone could apply, though fund rules would be set by commissioners. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., pressed Blanche on whether Trump donors or Jan. 6 rioters could receive payouts, citing law enforcement concerns. Blanche responded that the fund’s eligibility was not his decision but implied rules would be established later. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., called the fund an ‘outrageous, unprecedented slush fund’ and urged Blanche to bar convicted rioters from accessing it, though no definitive commitments were made. Trump’s endorsements in Kentucky and Alabama reflect his strategy to consolidate party loyalty ahead of the 2024 election. The primary results in these states will signal whether his influence over Republican candidates remains strong. Meanwhile, the DOJ fund’s transparency and oversight remain under scrutiny as Blanche’s testimony highlighted ongoing political and legal tensions.