Trump Receives Criticism From Supporters Over Congressional Endorsement – Opinion

MAGA supporters are scathing about former President Donald Trump’s decision to support a candidate. This decision seems to be one of the more unusual.

Politico reported:

On Tuesday night, Trump endorsed Morgan Ortagus. Morgan Ortagus was a spokesperson for the State Department during Trump’s administration. He is currently considering a bid to run in a Middle Tennessee congressional district. The announcement has caused a firestorm, with far-right, high-profile backers ranging from North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn to conservative activist Candace Owens taking to social media to voice their support for Robby Starbuck, a rival candidate who’s been a mainstay of the pro-Trump movement.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of Trump’s staunchest allies, also chimed in, promoting a tweet that listed criticisms of Ortagus. “The gripes have included everything from Ortagus’ support of Jeb Bush in the 2016 GOP primaries to her being photographed with President Joe Biden and having her wedding officiated by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” according to Politico.

Starbuck, a film producer and prominent Trump supporter, does not have much of a chance at winning the nomination; he is a first-time candidate and a “relative newcomer to the district,” according to Politico, which also noted that this situation “represents perhaps the most intense blowback Trump has received from loyalists since leaving office – and a potential test of the former president’s credibility with some of his fiercest defenders.”

Politico reported:

Unlike many of the former president’s other endorsements, the decision to get behind Ortagus unfolded quickly. Trump met the would-be candidate and her family at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Monday. She informed Trump that she is considering running. Trump asked a variety of people their opinions about Ortagus within hours of the meeting.

The former president decided that he would make the announcement on Tuesday night. He released a statement calling the 39-year-old Ortagus, a former Fox News contributor, “an absolute warrior” for his movement and saying she was “fantastic in her role” at the State Department.

“Morgan Ortagus will have my Complete and Total Endorsement if she decides to run!” Trump said.

Ned Ryun, a conservative activist, tweeted: “Absolutely not.”

Conservative media personality Candace Owens also weighed in on Twitter: “Nope. Trump has this completely wrong.”

John Cardillo, a conservative pundit, said “Trump is now firmly in the establishment camp.”

Some in the former president’s circle were frustrated because they believe he made the decision to endorse Ortagus too hastily. But others have defended Trump’s choice, noting how she defended his policies during her stint in the State Department and also as a Fox News contributor. Starbuck could also have not been the best decision.

Polito

There is also a degree of skepticism within some corners of Trump’s orbit about whether Starbuck would be the strongest candidate in a potentially crowded primary. Starbuck is Robert Starbuck Newsom. He has a Twitter following and support from outside-state Trump supporters. However, Starbuck has only lived in the area for a short time and has never ran for office. It is likely that the primary will draw many well-known local officials. The possible candidates are former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell as well as Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles.

This sounds like the MAGA base is losing faith in Trump, according to Politico. But a closer look at the bigger picture shows that this is not true. He is popular to the left and still the favourite for the nomination in 2024. He has been criticized for his decision many times by the MAGA base. However, it’s clear that he continues to enjoy their support. It will be difficult for him to lose support from conservatives, unfortunately.