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Influencer Files to Challenge Trump-Backed Rep. Randy Fine

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A social media personality known more for viral posts than political campaigns is stepping into a deeply red congressional race—against one of President Trump’s most outspoken allies.

Dan Bilzerian, an influencer with millions of followers, has filed paperwork to run as a Republican against Rep. Randy Fine in Florida’s 6th District, according to federal filings.

The move sets up a long-shot primary challenge against a first-term congressman who has quickly built a national profile—and strong ties to Trump.

Fine isn’t just another Republican incumbent. His campaign notes that Trump has endorsed him three separate times in the past two years, including in his current reelection bid. The district itself isn’t likely to offer much room for an upset: Trump carried it by roughly 30 points in 2024.

But Bilzerian isn’t entering quietly.

He has already taken aim at Trump directly, blasting the former president’s foreign policy in a recent social media post and suggesting he should be removed from office—remarks that could prove politically toxic in a GOP primary.

That puts him not only at odds with Fine, but also with the voters he would need to win over.

Meanwhile, Fine has been leaning into a different kind of national attention.

In recent days, the Florida Republican made headlines for a blunt argument tying immigration directly to the cost of living. He has called for deporting all illegal immigrants, arguing the move would reduce demand for housing, health care, education, and even car insurance.

“DEPORTATIONS = AFFORDABILITY,” Fine wrote in a series of posts, framing immigration enforcement as an economic solution.

He has also drawn a hard line against any form of amnesty, pledging he would “never, ever” support it.

The contrast between the two candidates is already stark: a Trump-aligned incumbent emphasizing immigration and affordability, versus a social media figure openly criticizing the president while trying to run in a pro-Trump district.

For now, the race looks lopsided on paper.

The district’s strong Republican tilt—and Fine’s backing from Trump—give the incumbent a clear advantage heading into the Aug. 18 primary.

Still, Bilzerian’s entry adds an unpredictable element to a race that otherwise might have flown under the radar.

Trump Endorses Former Fox News Host In California Gubernatorial Race

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

President Donald Trump is throwing his support behind former Fox News host Steve Hilton in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, issuing a forceful endorsement as Republicans look to compete in a state long dominated by Democrats.

“I have known and respected Steve Hilton, who is running for Governor of California, for many years,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post announcing his backing.

He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell. Gavin Newscum and the Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job. People are fleeing, crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country, maybe the World. Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so! With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before! Steve Hilton has my COMPLETE & TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. He will be a GREAT Governor and, importantly, WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP.

Hilton is one of more than a dozen Republicans vying for their party’s nomination in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. A former adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Hilton later became a prominent conservative media figure in the U.S., hosting The Next Revolution on Fox News from 2017 to 2023.

His candidacy has also drawn support from high-profile conservative figures, including former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and actor Jon Voight, helping to elevate his profile in an already crowded GOP field.

On the Democratic side, the race is shaping up to be equally competitive — and potentially fragmented. Declared candidates include Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, and billionaire donor Tom Steyer, with the possibility of additional entrants. Because California uses a “top-two” primary system — where all candidates compete on the same ballot regardless of party and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election — a crowded Democratic field could split the vote.

That dynamic has, in past elections, created an opening for Republicans to consolidate support behind a single candidate and potentially secure a spot in the general election, even in a heavily blue state. If Democratic voters divide their support among multiple well-funded contenders, it raises the possibility — however narrow — of an unexpected general election matchup.

Hilton, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in London, has leaned into his outsider profile and policy background. In addition to his media career, he has been active in policy circles and previously called for investigations into alleged voter fraud following the 2020 presidential election.

Trump’s endorsement gives Hilton an early boost in the Republican primary and signals where the former president’s political influence may shape the race. It also aligns Hilton closely with Trump’s broader message on crime, taxes, and governance — themes Republicans hope will resonate with voters frustrated by California’s high cost of living and quality-of-life concerns.

The 2026 election will determine who replaces Newsom, who cannot seek another term due to term limits. While Democrats remain favored in statewide contests, the structure of the primary — combined with a divided field — could make this race more competitive than usual, particularly if one Republican emerges as a clear standard-bearer.

Political Strategist Says Democrats Will Target Trump’s Family After Midterms

Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville is escalating his rhetoric against President Donald Trump, warning that Democrats will aggressively target not just the president—but his family—if they win back power in the 2026 midterms.

In a new video this week, Carville predicted sweeping GOP losses in November, framing the expected outcome as a political knockout that would leave Trump exposed to a wave of investigations.

“Let’s talk about your future, your post-November future,” Carville said, anticipating widespread defeat of Trump and the GOP. “The Democrats are going to investigate you to no end.”

“They’re going to start going after you. Then they’re going to start figuring out where all the money stolen is,” he continued. “Then they’re going to go after your stupid jacka– kids and their spouses and all the other bulls— that you see, and they’re going to investigate the s— out of you.”

The comments build on a broader—and increasingly aggressive—set of predictions from Carville, who has repeatedly argued that Democrats are poised for major midterm gains. Across multiple recent appearances, he has claimed Republicans are heading toward significant losses, citing voter frustration over inflation, dissatisfaction with Trump’s leadership, and fallout from the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict.

Carville has gone even further, suggesting those losses could trigger a chain reaction inside Washington: Democratic control of Congress, immediate impeachment proceedings, and a flood of investigations into Trump’s finances, conduct in office, and inner circle.

Trump himself has warned that a Democratic victory would lead to exactly that scenario, arguing that impeachment and investigations would follow quickly if Republicans lose control of the House or Senate.

Carville, however, is not just predicting investigations—he is openly embracing them. He has previously urged Democrats to center their messaging on accountability, including proposals for commissions to examine alleged “war profiteering” tied to the Iran conflict, which he has called a “catastrophe of the first order” and a “racket war.”

In his latest remarks, Carville also raised the possibility that Trump could face scrutiny beyond U.S. borders.

“When it comes to the stuff you’re doing in Iran, I got to tell you, you’re getting really, really, really close to war crimes here. You’re probably going to cross the line,” Carville warned. “And the one thing that Democrats are going to insist on in the 2028 election is that if you’re indicted by the international courts and I think it’s in Hog or Hague or somewhere in the Netherlands, we’re not going to protect your a–, not gonna protect you.”

He added that Trump’s political support could quickly erode—even within his own party—if Republicans suffer major defeats.

“You know who’s going to turn on you?” Carville asked. “What’s left of the Republican senators.”

Carville has repeatedly floated a dramatic endgame: that the mounting pressure—from investigations, impeachment threats, and political isolation—could ultimately push Trump to resign early and seek a pardon from Vice President JD Vance. Still, he has argued that even a presidential pardon would not shield Trump from state-level or international legal exposure.

“I got news for you, dude. You’re done,” he said. “And we’re going to enjoy watching your downfall. Thank you very much.”

The White House quickly fired back. In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson said, “James Carville is a stone-cold loser who clearly suffers from a severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his peanut-sized brain.”

Carville’s latest comments are consistent with his long track record of blunt—and often controversial—political predictions. In recent years, he has repeatedly forecast Trump’s political collapse, including predicting a Democratic victory in 2024 and even suggesting Trump’s second administration would “collapse in 30 days.”

Now, with the 2026 midterms approaching, Carville is once again making a high-stakes call—this time not just about electoral outcomes, but about what he believes will be an aggressive, wide-ranging effort to investigate Trump, his family, and those closest to him if Democrats take back power.

Veteran Political Strategist Predicts Trump Will Exit White House Early

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Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville is doubling down on his prediction that President Donald Trump will not complete his second term, arguing this week that mounting political pressure could force him out of office within the next year.

In a Wednesday video for Politicon, Carville mixed his trademark blunt insults with a strikingly specific forecast: that Trump will “cut a deal” and resign from the presidency by April of next year. The longtime Democratic operative said he believes Republicans are headed for significant losses in the 2026 midterms—losses he argues will fundamentally weaken Trump’s standing in Washington.

Carville declared he’s so confident in Democrats’ chances in midterm elections that he’s predicting the GOP losses will feel like a “punch” from Mike Tyson for Trump.

“Let’s talk about your future, your post-November future. First, people are not going to return your phone calls. They’re going to correctly think, you know… they’ll say, well, he’s got two years left. He can do damage. No one gives a s**t about him. The Democrats are going to investigate you to no end,” he predicted.

The comments build on Carville’s earlier assertions that a Democratic sweep of the House and Senate would leave Trump politically isolated and increasingly irrelevant in Washington. In prior remarks, Carville suggested that “everything that he tries blows up in his face” and argued that a Democratic-controlled Congress would effectively sideline the president.

His latest prediction goes further, outlining a scenario in which Trump faces not only political marginalization but a wave of investigations from multiple fronts. Carville pushed for probes into alleged financial misconduct, claiming that “money stolen” by Trump and his family should be examined. He also suggested Trump could face scrutiny from international bodies over his handling of military strikes against Iran—a conflict Carville has previously described as a “catastrophe of the first order” and a “racket war.”

Carville argued that even Republican allies on Capitol Hill would eventually turn on Trump if the party suffers major midterm defeats.

“You know who’s gonna turn on you? What’s left of the Republican senators. There may be 43 to 45 of them left. Now the House is gonna vote to impeach you. You’re gonna be impeached in 2027… these senators can’t stand you. These Republican senators, they can’t stand you. They have to be there because of their politics, back in their states, but it’s gonna be apparent to them that you’re a loser. You’re a losing f**king bet.”

Trump himself has acknowledged the political stakes surrounding the midterms, warning that a Democratic victory would likely bring renewed impeachment efforts and aggressive congressional investigations. He has framed the election as a critical firewall against what he describes as partisan attempts to undermine his presidency.

Carville, however, argued that the pressure from investigations—combined with electoral losses and eroding Republican support—could ultimately push Trump toward resignation. He predicted the president would seek a deal that includes a pardon from Vice President JD Vance, allowing him to exit the White House before facing further consequences.

“We refer to it as a come-to-Jesus moment. You’re gonna assess where you are, even through your cloudy, stupid, fat-addled brain, you’re gonna figure out, I gotta get the hell out of here. You’re going to cut a deal and you’re gonna resign. [Vance] is going to pardon you. He’s got to pardon a lot of other people, but he’s a creepy, ambitious little twerp. He’ll do whatever he can to get into the White House. But they can’t pardon you for state crimes. They can’t pardon you in the International Criminal Court.”

While Carville is known for his provocative rhetoric and long-shot predictions, his comments reflect broader Democratic messaging ahead of 2026. He has repeatedly urged candidates to focus on issues like war profiteering tied to the Iran conflict and to promise aggressive oversight if they regain power.

Whether Carville’s prediction proves accurate remains to be seen. But with early polling suggesting potential Republican vulnerabilities and both parties already bracing for a high-stakes midterm battle, his remarks underscore just how consequential the 2026 elections could be—not only for control of Congress, but for the trajectory of Trump’s presidency itself.

Nancy Pelosi Claims Republicans May Hack Voting Machines and Create ‘Fake Count’ in Midterms

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is once again sounding alarms ahead of a major election—this time warning that Republicans aligned with Donald Trump could attempt to manipulate voting systems in the 2026 midterms.

In a sit-down interview with MSNBC’s Ali Vitali, the former House Speaker—long one of Trump’s most vocal critics—predicted Democratic success in the upcoming elections but cautioned supporters to stay vigilant against what she suggested could be underhanded GOP tactics.

“There are so many things that you can do to protect the election, and they are being done, whether it’s litigation or legislation or just mobilization, communication, all of that. But in addition to that, we have to be on guard as to what they may try to do to the technology. They may try to creep into the technology and create a false count,” Pelosi said.

Pelosi, who has spent years opposing Trump and his political movement, framed her concerns as part of a broader battle over the integrity of American democracy. She has consistently accused Trump and his allies of undermining democratic norms—particularly following the 2020 election—and her latest comments reflect that ongoing distrust.

Her remarks come as Democrats continue to push back against Republican-led redistricting efforts and the SAVE Act, a GOP-backed bill that would require stricter voter identification. While the legislation has passed the House, it faces steep odds in the Senate.

Pelosi didn’t hold back in her assessment of Republicans’ motivations.

“Pelosi accused Republicans of having ‘no commitment to the rule of law and doing things the appropriate way.’”

Despite her warnings, Pelosi struck a confident tone about Democratic prospects, outlining what she sees as the party’s core mission heading into the midterms.

“We have three purposes now. One is to win the midterm. Two is to make sure the elections are safe. And three, tell people what we will do when we win. That is the mission,” she said.

The longtime Democratic leader also reflected on the party’s future, predicting that a woman will eventually become president—though she does not expect to see it herself. She credited Vice President Kamala Harris with energizing voters during the 2024 election cycle.

“She turned out so many more people than who would have voted,” Pelosi said.

Watch:

Trump Issues Early Midterm Endorsement – Before Candidate Even Files To Run

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

President Donald Trump is throwing his weight behind a potential new Republican candidate in Florida, publicly urging Sydney Gruters to enter the race for Congress in the state’s 16th District — and promising his full endorsement if she does.

In a Tuesday post on Truth Social, Trump signaled strong support for Gruters, who has not yet officially declared her candidacy but is reportedly considering a run.

“Word is that Sydney Gruters, the wife of our GREAT Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Joe Gruters, is considering launching her Campaign for Congress in Florida’s 16th Congressional District!” Trump wrote.

“Should she decide to enter this Race, Sydney Gruters has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, SYDNEY, RUN!” the president added.

The endorsement comes as the seat opens up following GOP Rep. Vern Buchanan’s decision not to seek re-election, setting the stage for what could become a competitive Republican primary in a reliably conservative district along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Sydney Gruters is married to Joe Gruters, a prominent figure in Republican politics who currently serves as chair of the Republican National Committee and as a Florida state senator. Her potential candidacy would further cement the Gruters family’s influence within both state and national GOP circles.

Responding to Trump’s backing, Gruters expressed gratitude while stopping short of confirming her plans.

“I am deeply honored to have the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump,” she said, according to Florida Politics. “His leadership transformed our country and continues to inspire millions of Americans who believe in putting America First. I’m especially committed to advancing policies that lower the cost of living for hardworking families across our community. I’m grateful for his support and look forward to making an announcement about the path ahead very soon.”

Gruters currently serves as executive director and vice president of advancement for the New College Foundation, giving her a background in education and nonprofit leadership that could shape her campaign message if she enters the race.

Trump’s early endorsement — issued before an official campaign launch — underscores his continued influence in Republican primaries and his willingness to shape candidate fields well ahead of election season. His backing often carries significant weight among GOP voters, particularly in Florida, a state where he remains highly popular within the party.

In his post, Trump also outlined the policy priorities he believes Gruters would champion in Congress, framing her as a reliable ally of his political agenda.

“A Highly Successful Civic Leader and Public Servant, Sydney has dedicated her life to serving her Community, and she and her family are fierce advocates for our Movement to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!,” Trump wrote.

“As your next Congresswoman, Sydney will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Military/Veterans, Safeguard our Elections, Champion School Choice, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”

With Buchanan stepping aside and Trump already signaling his preferred candidate, the race for Florida’s 16th District is quickly taking shape — even as Sydney Gruters weighs whether to officially enter the contest.

Trump-endorsed Candidate Concedes Primary Following 23-Vote Margin

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Missvain, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, one of the state’s most powerful Republicans, conceded his GOP primary race Tuesday after a second recount confirmed he trailed by just 23 votes. The razor-thin loss to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page ends Berger’s long tenure representing the Triad-area district and signals a potential leadership shake-up in a critical battleground state ahead of the midterms.

“While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory,” Berger said in a statement following the recount results.

“Over the past 15 years, Republicans in the General Assembly have fundamentally redefined our state’s outlook and reputation. It has been an honor to play a role in that transformation.”

Unofficial results showed Page winning 13,135 votes to Berger’s 13,112, capping a dramatic contest that initially saw Page ahead by just two votes on primary night. His margin grew slightly as election officials reviewed provisional and absentee ballots, and subsequent recounts failed to change the outcome.

Berger’s defeat marks a major upset in North Carolina politics. As Senate leader since 2011, he has been a central figure in shaping Republican policy in the state. His loss comes despite an endorsement from President Donald Trump and reported efforts by GOP leaders to persuade Page to step aside, underscoring tensions within the party as it prepares for a high-stakes election cycle.

The outcome is likely to reverberate beyond the district. North Carolina is one of the nation’s top political battlegrounds, and Republicans are working to defend their legislative supermajority while also competing nationally to maintain their narrow U.S. House majority in the midterm elections. Party leaders have been particularly focused on redistricting efforts, including recent changes to congressional maps aimed at flipping a Democratic-held seat.

Page, who had urged Berger to concede as recounts concluded, framed his victory as a call for unity heading into November.

“I thank him for wishing me the best moving forward,” Page said after Berger called to concede. “Now it’s time for our community to come together and focus on winning in November.”

He will face Democrat Steve Luking in the general election in what is considered a GOP-leaning district. Berger defeated Luking in 2024.

Despite the loss, Berger will remain in office through January and continue to preside over the Senate during the short legislative session. He emphasized his intention to support fellow Republicans as they prepare for the general election.

“Looking ahead, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the short session to ensure North Carolina continues to be the best state in the nation in which to live, work, raise a family, and retire,” Berger said. “In the months ahead, I will also do everything I can to support all Republican Senate candidates and protect our supermajority.”

With control of Congress and key state legislatures at stake, Republicans are increasingly wary of internal divisions and low-turnout primary surprises. Berger’s narrow defeat highlights how even entrenched incumbents can be vulnerable, adding a new layer of uncertainty as the party heads into a pivotal midterm season.

DeSantis Hints At Another White House Run

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Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is leaving the door open to another presidential bid after his unsuccessful 2024 campaign, signaling he could reemerge as a contender in the increasingly competitive 2028 Republican primary.

“We’ll see,” DeSantis told Fox News host Sean Hannity on his podcast, “Hang Out with Sean Hannity.” The full interview is set to be released Tuesday.

DeSantis, who is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027, faces a relatively short window to decide his political future. With the 2028 primary season expected to ramp up shortly thereafter, he will have roughly a year out of office to assess whether to launch another White House run.

Once viewed as a rising star in the GOP, DeSantis entered the 2024 presidential race with significant momentum. His national profile surged his opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns and a dominant nearly 20-point reelection victory in Florida in 2022. Early on, he was widely considered one of the strongest alternatives to former President Trump.

However, his campaign struggled to gain traction amid a prolonged and often contentious rivalry with Trump, who retained deep loyalty among Republican voters. After finishing a distant second in the Iowa caucuses — with just over 21 percent of the vote and nine delegates — DeSantis suspended his campaign ahead of the New Hampshire primary and endorsed Trump. He ultimately placed third overall in the Republican primary, behind Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Reflecting on that race, DeSantis suggested his support was constrained by Trump’s presence in the field.

“They were conservative voters, right? They didn’t want the non-conservative, they wanted me,” he said. “But the timing didn’t work out, obviously, for that.”

“So you just got to see what happens,” he added.

Looking ahead, the 2028 Republican primary is already beginning to take shape, with several high-profile figures jockeying for early position. Vice President JD Vance currently holds a significant polling advantage, benefiting from his national platform and close alignment with Trump-era politics.

Recent surveys illustrate the early dynamics of the race. A poll conducted by Echelon Insights found that 40 percent of Republican-leaning respondents favored Vance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed at 16 percent, while Donald Trump Jr., DeSantis and Haley trailed with 9 percent, 5 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Thirteen percent of respondents remained undecided.

A separate poll by The Public Sentiment Institute showed a somewhat tighter field, with DeSantis polling at 13.5 percent — good for third place — behind Vance (29.3 percent) and Rubio (15.5 percent). Nearly 10 percent of respondents were undecided.

The early polling underscores both the opportunity and the challenge for DeSantis. While he remains a recognizable figure with a record that appeals to conservative voters, he would likely enter a crowded field that includes establishment figures like Rubio, Trump-aligned candidates such as Vance and Trump Jr., and other potential contenders still weighing bids.

With Trump’s future political role uncertain and no clear consensus successor, the 2028 race is shaping up to be a wide-open contest. Whether DeSantis can reestablish himself as a top-tier candidate may depend on how effectively he rebuilds momentum after his 2024 defeat — and whether the political environment proves more favorable the second time around.

Democrat Donors Boost Trump-Backed Challenger To Oust Rep. Thomas Massie

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Political representation of parties making money

A growing share of high-dollar political donors with histories of supporting Democratic candidates are now backing Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and primary challenger to Republican Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.

Gallrein, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is positioning himself as a MAGA-aligned alternative to Massie—one of the most independent-minded Republicans in Congress and a frequent critic of party leadership, including Trump at times.

Trump has made unseating Massie a priority, previously signaling he would support a primary challenger after clashes with the Kentucky congressman over key votes and strategy. Gallrein has emerged as that candidate.

However, campaign finance records reviewed by the Daily Caller raise questions about the ideological makeup of Gallrein’s donor base.

According to Federal Election Commission filings, 85% of donors who contributed the maximum allowable amount to Gallrein’s campaign have previously donated to Democratic candidates. Of the 141 donors identified in the fourth quarter who gave at least $3,500, 120 had prior histories of donating to Democrats.

Additionally, 112 of those donors—roughly 79%—are considered high-dollar contributors to Democratic campaigns, suggesting a significant overlap between Gallrein’s financial support and traditional Democratic donor networks.

The findings stand in contrast to Gallrein’s public claims about his fundraising.

“Let me give you an example: my money is coming from conservatives — not from the same people who got Mamdani elected,” Gallrein said during a Feb. 25 appearance on Hugh Hewitt’s show.

“I’ve challenged journalists to look into where his funding is coming from — there’s a Pulitzer Prize waiting for whoever does that research,” Gallrein said. “The sentiment right now is like a pressure valve being released. There’s finally a viable candidate, and it’s a one-on-one race — not a split field he’s benefited from in the past. And his money isn’t coming from Kentucky.”

When asked about the apparent discrepancy, the Gallrein campaign dismissed the criticism.

“Honestly, we find that question is ridiculous. Thomas Massie is bankrolled by Obama donors, Kamala donors, Hillary donors, and even Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar donors. You should be asking him about that,” a campaign spokesperson told the Caller.

“President Trump endorsed Ed Gallrein because he’s the MAGA conservative in this race. There is a reason the ladies of View [sic] love Massie. Maybe ask Massie’s best friend, socialist Ro Khanna, about who is the conservative in this race,” the spokesperson added.

Among Gallrein’s contributors is Adam Offenhartz, who made an in-kind donation to the campaign and has previously supported both former Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign and President Joe Biden’s 2020 bid.

The race is shaping up as a high-profile proxy battle within the Republican Party, while drawing in an unexpected mix of donors from across the political spectrum.

Trump Re-endorses ‘RINO’ Congressman He Unendorsed Less Than A Month Ago

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President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

President Donald Trump has re-endorsed Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd of Colorado, less than a month after withdrawing his support over Hurd’s vote against the president’s tariffs.

In a Friday post on Truth Social, Trump said Hurd’s primary opponent, former Colorado GOP vice chair and Navy veteran Hope Scheppelman, agreed to exit the race and instead join his administration “in a capacity to be determined.” Trump had originally endorsed Hurd for reelection in October 2025, but rescinded that endorsement in February after Hurd joined six other Republicans and Democrats in supporting a House resolution to repeal tariffs on Canada.

“I met with Hope Scheppelman and her husband Steven, of the Radical Left State of Colorado, to discuss various opportunities to serve our Country in a different capacity than her current run for the United States Congress,” Trump wrote in his Friday post. “Together with them, we decided that Congressman Jeff Hurd, of Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, should in no way, shape, or form, be impeded from winning the District in that the Democrat alternative is a DISASTER for our Country.”

“Therefore, I will be fully supporting Jeff’s Re-Election to the House of Representatives, giving him my Complete and Total Endorsement!” the president added. “Every true MAGA supporter and Republican, if they truly care about saving our Country, will do everything in their power to unify together, and defeat the Crazed Radical Left Democrats this November.”

Trump had sharply criticized Hurd in his February 21 post announcing the withdrawal of his endorsement.

“Congressman Hurd is one of a small number of Legislators who have let me and our Country down. He is more interested in protecting Foreign Countries that have been ripping us off for decades than he is the United States of America,” Trump wrote at the time, defending his “unbelievably successful” tariffs, which he said made “America Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before.”

“Taking back an Endorsement is a difficult decision for me. I have only done it once before, with a former Congressman named Mo Brooks, from Alabama, who was leading by 54 points after my Endorsement for U.S. Senate, and then, he unexpectedly, for strictly political reasons, changed his views on the Rigged Election of 2020, and lost his Race in a Landslide to Katie Britt, who I Endorsed,” Trump continued, referencing the 2022 Alabama Senate race.

“These are the decisions that must be made, however, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he added at the time.

Following Trump’s renewed endorsement, Hurd expressed appreciation and emphasized party unity.

“I’m grateful for President Trump’s support and appreciate his efforts to unify Republicans in Colorado’s Third District,” Hurd wrote in a Friday post on X. “The President and I share the same goals: securing the border, American energy dominance, and helping working families. I will continue to focus on representing Colorado’s Third District, delivering results for rural Colorado, and running a serious campaign to earn the support of voters across the district.”

With Scheppelman exiting the race and the candidate filing deadline now passed, Hurd appears set to run unopposed in the Republican primary for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. He is widely expected to secure the nomination on June 30.

The general election also favors Republicans. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the district as “Likely Republican,” and it backed Trump by 10 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. The seat is not among those targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is instead focusing on the neighboring 5th District.

The 3rd District was previously represented by Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who moved to the more conservative 4th District in 2024 after a close reelection race two years earlier.