In a move that has put former President Donald Trump at odds with his most fervent supporters, the former President inexplicably endorsed an establishment ‘Never Trumper,’ Morgan Ortagus, in a primary bid for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.
This unexpected endorsement comes as a surprise to Robby Starbuck (an American First candidate and staunch Trump ally) who had announced his candidacy in June 2021.
Trump under fire over Tennessee primary nod https://t.co/jDaMYMthjW pic.twitter.com/as4qA5k0E2
— The Hill (@thehill) February 1, 2022
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It’s a swift backlash
Trump’s endorsement of Ortagus was criticized by some of the top Republican politicians. Candace Owens, conservative commentator and blogger voiced her disapproval on Twitter.
Nope. Trump does not believe this. @robbystarbuck is the correct pick for Tennessee’s 5th district and Tennesseans have his back. https://t.co/pIWXYyYanb
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) January 26, 2022
Rep. Madison Cawthorn, a strong Trump supporter in Congress (R-NC), took to Twitter to reaffirm his support for Starbuck.
I endorsed @robbystarbuckMonths ago, I stood by my endorsement.
He’s the ideal candidate for the job right now.
His presence in Congress is crucial for the MAGA Movement!
— Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) January 26, 2022
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Another outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), stated that she would continue to back Starbuck saying that he “has been a champion for ‘America First’ for a long time.”
Sebastian Gorka is a Trump Supporter
Evidently it was @LindseyGrahamSCWho said President Trump Morgan Ortagus should be running in TN5, where there is already a strong MAGA nominee?
Are you surprised?
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) January 30, 2022
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One Reason For Blowback: Ortagus’ Past
Donald Trump endorses Morgan Ortagus, which is not only a blatant ploy to rob Starbuck but also because of her opposition and America First beliefs.
Ortagus was a Jeb Bush superPAC employee in 2016. She criticized Trump’s America First foreign policy as an “isolationist foreign policy approach,” and also described Trump as “disgusting” and “not serious.”
“Ortagus is a senior advisor for a sub-venture of the Atlantic Council. Abroad, the Atlantic Council (whose donors include the UAE, Raytheon, Boeing, and even Burisma) is a leading agitator for permanent conflict with Russia…”https://t.co/H2OM2w2kaP
— Darren J. Beattie 🌐 (@DarrenJBeattie) February 1, 2022
In a radio interview she said, “Quite frankly, I don’t want someone with the temperament of a middle school pubescent boy in the president’s office.”
🧵I have been given additional information about Trump’s endorsement for Morgan Ortagus.
Ortagus’ *business partner*, Samantha Vinograd, is a prominent anti-Trump activist, Russiahoax advocate, and…. The Biden Institute, Senior Advisor
Wait, there’s more!⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3zyt4jZBx2
— Daniel Bostic (@debostic) January 29, 2022
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Trump Inner Circle Seeks Endorsement As Too Late
Ortagus is not yet officially announcing her candidacy.
Following the near-universal backlash from Trump supporters, an unnamed Trump aide called the nod “a misstep” that has created some rather tense feelings between Trump and his most ardent supporters.
Those deepest within the inner circle, Trump’s eldest son Don Jr. and social media director Dan Scavino, have criticized the endorsement.
It will be fascinating to see whether Trump admits his mistake or moves on.
Quite the thread… https://t.co/9LDXIaRPw6
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 26, 2022