Former President Donald Trump remains the most formidable force within the Republican party. Candidates are fully aware that a Trump endorsement will open them up to a wave of support from his loyalists, and will likely set them over the edge of victory.
Many candidates are eager for that winning edge as the 2022 midterm elections approach and campaign efforts ramp up. Many Republican hopefuls are attempting to portray themselves as staunch supporters of the Former President, and have even publicized photos or proof of private conversations to demonstrate their “close” ties.
However, Trump’s team is ultra-protective of the Former President’s brand since leaving office and is monitoring certain Republican candidates, exposing those who’s connection to Trump is illegitimate.
“Lots of candidates pretend to have President Trump’s support and most are full of s***,” former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said, adding, “You’ll know when the Former President endorses someone.”
Several Republican contenders have overstepped the boundary recently according to members of Trump’s team.
Hirsh Singh, a New Jersey businessman, used Trump’s signature logo claiming the Former President fully endorsed him for the June 8 Republican primary election.
A spokesman for Donald Trump immediately called out this fake endorsement:
This posting is FAKE. President Trump has NOT endorsed in the race for Governor in New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/AIfzENwg6a
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) June 7, 2021
Singh has since accused one of his political rivals of forging the fabricate document in an attempt to embarrass him.
“I don’t play sneaky games like this,” Singh said, who came no where near to winning the primary.
State Sen. Mike Testa, who worked on Trump’s campaign in New Jersey, said the fake flier severely impacted Singh’s campaign by raising questions of trustworthiness. Testa eventually endorsed Singh’s rival, former state Assembly member Jack Ciattarelli, who eventually won the GOP primary.
“Donald Trump his own man, and if he wanted to weigh in in the state of New Jersey he would have made it loud and clear that he was weighing in in the state of New Jersey,” Testa said
Last month, the same spokesman for Team Trump exposed state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who claimed the Former President “asked him to run” for governor of Pennsylvania and vowed to campaign for him.
These claims were a complete farce.
President Trump has not made any endorsement or commitments yet in this race.👇
“AP Report: President Trump Picks Pennsylvania’s Next Governor” https://t.co/24rY2G2BD1
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) May 20, 2021
Trump aides have been vocal about their annoyance with Mastriano for his willingness to leak private conversations with the Former President to the press.
“I would warn people against claiming endorsements from anyone without authorization. If and when President Trump endorses anyone, it will be very unmistakable.”
Higher profiled races also have been scrutinized by Trump’s staff.
Lynda Blanchard, a major donor to pro-Trump political organizations and his Ambassador to Slovenia, is currently in the race for U.S. senator of Alabama. She launched a campaign showing videos and pictures with Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, alluding to their support of her candidacy.
It was reported that Team Trump expressed their extreme annoyance after receiving news Blanchard had been implying she had the Former President’s backing. Trump swiftly announced her rival, Rep. Mo Brooks even though the primary election is more than a year away.
President Donald J. Trump officially endorses Mo Brooks. pic.twitter.com/Hf2mAhiUVY
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) April 7, 2021
As a result, Mo has shot up in the polls with Lynda Blanchard no where in sight.
HOT! HOT! Club for Growth poll Alabama U.S. Senate Race:
Mo Brooks 59%
Lynda Blanchard 13%
Katie Britt 9%Key finding: “As the 77% who are not yet aware of Trump’s endorsement learn about it, Brooks’ already strong lead is likely to grow even larger.”https://t.co/OQmCKwfdKY
— Mo Brooks – Endorsed By President Trump 🇺🇸 (@MoBrooks) June 9, 2021
Last year alone, the Trump campaign sent cease-and-desist letters to people such as former attorney general Jeff Sessions, who’s also running for the senate seat in Alabama, and candidates for local office.
Dan Rodimer, a former professional wrestler running in a Texas special congressional election, falsely called himself “the Trump candidate.”
Trump’s spokesmen threw cold water on this fake endorsement as well.
🚨Important Note🚨
President Trump has NOT yet endorsed a candidate in TX-6.
This is a very strong pro-Trump district and President Trump is the most powerful endorsement in all of politics, but he has not yet weighed in.
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) April 22, 2021
Trump later endorsed Susan Wright, releasing a statement weighing in on the Texas race.
President Trump on TX-06's special election:
"Please explain to the Democrats and RINOs that the reason Texas-06 completely shut out Democrats in Saturday’s Jungle Primary is because of my Endorsement of Susan Wright, who surged last week after receiving it."
FULL STATEMENT: pic.twitter.com/emxekcfrVz
— Natalie Harp (@NatalieJHarp) May 3, 2021
Fake endorsements often prove to be fatal for the candidate pushing them. In every case so far, congressional hopefuls who falsely claim support from the Former President have seen their campaigns falter as a result.
Author: Sebastian Hayworth
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