Trump endorses a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate he once condemned
Washington PostApr 01
Trump Endorses Virginia State Sen. McGuire in Primary
Above: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump reacts to supporters as he arrives on stage at a Get Out the Vote Rally March 2, 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. Image copyright: Win McNamee/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Former US Pres. Donald Trump has endorsed Virginia state Sen. John McGuire, who's challenging incumbent two-term US Rep. Bob Good in Virginia's 5th Congressional District's GOP primary. Good is also the chair of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus.
The primary, which is scheduled for June 18, will pit two conservatives in a historically Republican-dominated district.
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Good must have thought his privileged status as the incumbent of this race would make everyone forget his anti-Trump rhetoric early in the presidential campaign. Good didn't just disrespect Trump, the congressman is also trying to take the Freedom Caucus off its track. If you're not 100% Trump, you're not for today's GOP.
Democratic narrative
This further proves Trump owns the soul of the Republican Party, which even turns on one of its stalwarts because of a perceived slight over an intra-party endorsement. That fact that far-right Good couldn't stay in Trump's good graces shows how much the GOP has become the "Trump Party" with little loyalty or a serious platform to run on.
Republican narrative
Trump's endorsement is just part of the process of determining where Republicans in Virginia's 5th stand. After endorsing DeSantis, Good got back in line behind Trump in the presidential race, and Good has the support of some grassroots organizations. This race will determine the direction of this district and indicate whether the GOP as a whole is turning away from the Freedom Caucus.