Despite frequent boasts that his endorsement guarantees a primary victory for virtually any Republican candidate, a number of former President Donald Trump's 2022 endorsements have led some of his supporters to sour on him.
In Georgia, Trump was blasted by his own supporters after endorsing ex-Senator David Perdue's gubernatorial campaign. These Peach State Republicans claimed Perdue—who lost his Senate race to Democrat Jon Ossoff in early 2021—didn't do enough to embrace Trump's fantasies that the 2020 election was stolen.
Trump reversed his previous endorsement of far-right Congressman Mo Brooks' U.S. Senate campaign in Alabama, months after Brooks urged Trump's supporters to move on from the 2020 election and focus on winning in 2022 and 2024.
In the swing state of Pennsylvania, Trump previously endorsed Republican Sean Parnell, but Parnell suspended his campaign last November after a growing domestic abuse scandal.
That left the crowded Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate primary without a Trump-endorsed candidate, until this past weekend.
Trump endorsed fellow reality television star Dr. Mehmet Oz, who previously served on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (until his recent dismissal) and often defended Trump's erroneous COVID-19 claims on air.
NEW!
President Donald J. Trump announces his endorsement of Dr. Oz pic.twitter.com/k6U7UrkmdC
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) April 9, 2022
Trump wrote in a statement through his spokeswoman, Liz Harrington:
"Dr. Oz is smart, tough, and will never let you down, therefore, he has my Complete and Total Endorsement. Good luck, Dr. Oz. our Country needs you!"
Prominent conservatives immediately denounced Trump's endorsement, including the previous Trump-endorsed candidate, Sean Parnell.
I have enormous respect for President Trump. I was honored to have his endorsement in PA.
Twice
But I’m disappointed by this. Oz is the antithesis of everything that made Trump the best president of my lifetime—he’s the farthest thing from America First & he’d be very bad for PA https://t.co/kuTo4pp53U
— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) April 9, 2022
As did prominent Trump supporter and conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec.
I stand by every single thing I have said about Dr Oz’ campaign for Senate and I’m not going to stop saying it
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) April 10, 2022
As did Brooks.
This is happening because Trump’s surrounded himself by staff who are on McConnell’s payroll & hostile to the MAGA agenda. Everybody telling Trump who to endorse in primaries works for The Swamp.
They played him. Again. https://t.co/SoD656HT0V
— Mo Brooks (@MoBrooks) April 10, 2022
...And a slew of other social media Republicans.
This is a horrible endorsement. TN was as well. I'm concerned about Ohio endorsements for Senate and governor now. https://t.co/yXYRk47NOX
— Lee Thompson (@thompsonlee17) April 10, 2022
Trump is losing it. YUGE MISTAKE!@GovRonDeSantis is looking better every. Single. DAY! https://t.co/wNbif15zwk
— Boston Bobblehead (@CarolinaOpinion) April 10, 2022
President Trump is a narcissistic clown. He served his purpose. Time to move on. https://t.co/fp9hXhQFJP
— Anthony (@catholicizm_) April 10, 2022
Really wish he hadn’t done this :/ dr oz is pro trans and is only larping as pro life https://t.co/YgEVD3OujF
— StinkMuffin (@stink_muffin) April 10, 2022
One of the worst endorsements he’s ever made. https://t.co/o9pSvKU078
— Art (@realinroart) April 9, 2022
Don’t brag about this…huge mistake…people questions judgement over this.
Oz is not #AmericaFirst
Oz is pro gender surgery for minors, pro illegal immigration …President Trump needs to take back this endorsement a haunting reminder personnel errors: Sessions, Wray, Christie https://t.co/KeMH0Zqr6N
— VeteranCaregiver (@VeteranSusan) April 11, 2022
If this pattern of endorsements holds, Trump may find himself less indestructible than he predicted when the 2024 Republican presidential primary rolls around.
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AMC