Massie ally sparks backlash after accusing Trump-backed challenger of abusing VA benefits

By Fox News · Fox News

An ally of Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is receiving blowback for painting Ed Gallrein, Massie’s challenger, as a veteran potentially abusing disability benefits. "Ed Gallrein has received government benefits for claiming to be 100% physically disabled, while also claiming to do demanding full-time farm work on his family’s operation," Andrew Cooperrider, a radio and podcast host, said in a post to Facebook . "This raises serious questions about consistency, transparency and accountability." The post drew criticisms from experts in the veterans' community for what they called a mischaracterization of the Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating system. It also highlights the sensitivity of a race that pits a Trump-endorsed candidate against one of the president's most frequent critics. SCOOP: TRUMP-BACKED FORMER NAVY SEAL LAUNCHES GOP PRIMARY CHALLENGE AGAINST MASSIE "I think it’s disgraceful that any type of campaign would try to use a VA disability rating against somebody," Mark Lucas, Founder and President of Veteran Action, an advocacy group, said of Cooperrider’s post. "Just because a veteran has a disability, it does not mean that they can’t work," Lucas added. Gallrein has positioned himself as a pro-Trump candidate looking to unseat the biggest thorn in the side of the GOP. He contends that Massie’s decision to vote against Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, his push to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act and constant criticisms of overseas conflicts in Iran and Venezuela all go against the grain of the party. Gallrein received Trump’s endorsement earlier this year. Tim Murtaugh, an advisor to his campaign, blasted Cooperrider’s Facebook post, calling the criticism an "offensive attack." "This is a ridiculous and offensive attack on a veteran, a potentially illegal invasion of privacy and it proves Massie and his allies truly have no shame and no honor," Murtaugh said. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NAVY SEAL EDDIE GALLAGHER AS TRUMP POISED TO INTERVENE IN CASE Prior t…