President Donald Trump\u2019s pull inside the Republican Party is still absolute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His endorsement? Political gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Trump endorsement is king in any primary,\u201d longtime GOP strategist Jesse Hunt told Fox News Digital. Fellow Republican consultant Matt Gorman didn\u2019t mince words either, calling it \u201can undeniable force.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that reality is driving a new, high-stakes strategy among vulnerable Republicans: if you can\u2019t win Trump\u2019s backing\u2026 try to look like you have it anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Across the country, embattled GOP incumbents are facing serious primary threats from candidates backed by Trump himself. And instead of confronting that head-on, some are leaning into carefully crafted messaging that suggests they\u2019re still aligned with the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cassidy \u2014 one of just seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump after the January 6 impeachment \u2014 is now locked in a tough primary against Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But you wouldn\u2019t know that from his ads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In one spot, Cassidy highlights a fentanyl bill he authored, adding:
\u201cPresident Trump said it was the most important legislation he would sign this year,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Images of Trump appear prominently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another ad goes further, flashing \u201cTrump & Cassidy\u201d on screen while touting tax cuts the two \u201cworked\u201d on together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notably missing? Any mention that Trump is backing his opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Kentucky, Rep. Thomas Massie \u2014 a longtime Trump critic \u2014 is facing a Trump-backed challenger, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Massie has repeatedly clashed with Trump, including over the Epstein files and foreign policy. But in a recent campaign ad, he spotlighted an old photo of himself smiling alongside the former president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A subtle signal \u2014 but a deliberate one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Trump allies are pouring money into boosting Gallrein and attacking Massie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn is fighting for survival in a runoff against MAGA favorite and state Attorney General John Paxton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump hasn\u2019t endorsed either candidate \u2014 but Cornyn is making sure voters remember their past relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In one ad, the narrator says Cornyn \u201chad his back,\u201d as footage shows Trump and the senator giving a thumbs-up together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’re especially grateful to your wonderful senators,\u201d Trump says in an old clip featured in the ad, referring to Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike Cassidy and Massie, Cornyn isn\u2019t contradicting an endorsement \u2014 but he\u2019s still leaning hard into Trump\u2019s image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tactic may be clever \u2014 but it\u2019s also dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hunt warns that implying support from Trump when you don\u2019t actually have it could blow up fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you haven\u2019t earned it but portray as though you have, it could be the end of your campaign,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s if the President decides to take issue with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In today\u2019s GOP, one thing is clear: crossing Trump is risky \u2014 but pretending he\u2019s on your side when he isn\u2019t could be even worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n