MA 2026 U.S. Senate Race: Deaton Mocks President Trump's 'Support' Of Markey

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton mocked President Donald Trump's "support" of Democrat Ed Markey in the recent primary after the president said "it was nice to see" that the longtime senator handily fended off the primary challenge from U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton.

Deaton is a self-proclaimed "independent voice" who has rallied against both major political parties despite appearing on the Republican ballot for office.

• MA Primary 2026 U.S. Senate Race: Markey Bests Moulton In Battle Of The Ages

"President Trump was just asked about the Massachusetts Senate race," Deaton said in a social media campaign post. "Up until now, Markey keeps saying John Deaton is a Trumper. He knows that I'm not. That I've never voted for President Trump. And he calls me 'MAGA' and all these things.

"But when President Trump was asked about the Massachusetts Senate race, do you want to know what he said? He didn't say: 'Go, John Deaton.' He said he was very happy that Senator Markey won the way he did over Seth Moulton."

Deaton's post included a clip of Trump talking about the primary, which Markey won by about a two-to-one margin over Moulton.

"It was nice to Markey win in a landslide," Trump said. "Markey, I wouldn't say he loves Trump. But Moulton was so bad."

"So just ask yourself: 'Who would be the true disruptor in Washington?' Deaton said. "The 80-year-old career politician who's been there for 50 years, who is celebrated by the current 80-yearold president of the United States? Or the guy who said F- the Republican Party. F- the Democratic Party.' ... We need a true independent voice for Massachusetts.

"Ask yourself: 'Which one?'"

Markey has been a staunch critic of Trump — calling for his impeachment during the primary — and ran to the left of Moulton in the primary, saying this country has to become "more progressive" in abolishing ICE, adopting "Medicare for All" universal health care, as well as free universal child care and kindergarten, free public higher education and fare-free public transportation.

"Donald Trump is attacking the futures, the dreams of every boy, of every girl, on every porch all across this country," Markey said in his victory speech on Tuesday night. "Cutting education, cutting health care, cutting protections against discrimination. ... We have led the fight against Trump and MAGA extremism, and we are not backing down in Massachusetts.

"Not now. Not ever."

The general election is Nov. 3.