Blaze News original: Conservatives criticize Trump's endorsement track record as counterproductive



Former President Donald Trump's endorsements have been counterproductive, according to conservatives critical of the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee's endorsement track record.

One of those critics is GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who told Blaze News that he expects Trump himself will even be dissatisfied by his own endorsement decisions eventually.

'This doesn't bode well for the MAGA mission of draining the swamp, reining in three letter agencies, reforming healthcare, and keeping us out of endless wars.'

"I'm disappointed with Trump's endorsements because I think he's going to be disappointed with them eventually," Massie told Blaze News in a statement.

"When faced with choices in a primary, he has often endorsed the least conservative candidate, putting him at odds with conservative groups who are trying to improve the composition of Congress. This doesn't bode well for the MAGA mission of draining the swamp, reining in three letter agencies, reforming healthcare, and keeping us out of endless wars," he noted.

Back when Trump was still president in 2018, he endorsed Mitt Romney for U.S. Senate. But in 2019, Trump tweeted, "I'm hearing that the Great People of Utah are considering their vote for their Pompous Senator, Mitt Romney, to be a big mistake. I agree! He is a fool who is playing right into the hands of the Do Nothing Democrats! #IMPEACHMITTROMNEY"

In 2020, Trump endorsed then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), declaring that the lawmaker "has helped us Make America Great Again." But in 2021, Trump said that he regretted the move and called McConnell "a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack."

Trump also endorsed Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina in 2020.

'I plan to win this race overwhelmingly.'

Incumbent Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, is currently seeking re-election, but Trump has savaged him on Truth Social, claiming that the congressman "is BAD FOR VIRGINIA, AND BAD FOR THE USA."

Trump endorsed Virginia state Sen. John McGuire, the Republican challenging Good in Virginia's 5th Congressional District.

In a statement to Blaze News, BlazeTV host Steve Deace described Good as "one of the most reliable conservatives in Congress."

Good endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president in 2023 before DeSantis launched a GOP presidential primary bid. But immediately after DeSantis dropped out earlier this year, Good endorsed Trump.

In a statement to Blaze News, Good pointed out that he previously defeated a Trump-backed opponent in 2020.

"Trump endorsed against me in the nomination contest in 2020 when I ran against incumbent Denver Riggleman. I won that contest overwhelmingly. I plan to win this race overwhelmingly. The people of this district know I am an America First candidate and I have been fighting for the America First agenda since I was sworn into office in January of 2021," Good declared.

Earlier this month, Blaze Media's Daniel Horowitz, an outspoken critic of Trump's endorsement track record, tweeted, "Trump now knows he can endorse every RINO at warp speed plus attack Bob Good, and there will be ZERO blowback. Nothing will change, and frankly, I can't blame him. He has zero incentive to move to the right."

GOP Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana has said, "As Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus," Good "represents everything that most Republicans proclaim to be."

In a 2023 post, Horowitz described Rosendale as "one of the best members of the House" adding that the lawmaker "should be a no-brainer for the Senate."

But this year Trump torpedoed Rosendale's U.S. Senate bid by endorsing another candidate soon after Rosendale announced a Senate run.

In a post on Truth Social Trump said, "I also respect Matt Rosendale, and was very happy to Endorse him in the past - and will Endorse him again in the future should he decide to change course and run for his Congressional Seat. But in this instance, Tim [Sheehy] is the candidate who is currently best-positioned to DEFEAT Lazy Jon Tester, and Regain the Republican Majority in the United States Senate."

Rosendale soon dropped his Senate bid, noting, "By my calculations, with Trump endorsing my opponent and the lack of resources, the hill was just too steep."

The congressman later announced that he would run for re-election to the House but then eventually reversed course and said he would not seek office.

'Trump needs better advisors, and there are plenty of us who would be happy to help him.'

South Carolina state Rep. Adam Morgan recently ran for U.S. House but lost his Republican primary in the Palmetto State's 4th Congressional District to incumbent Rep. William Timmons, who was endorsed by Trump.

Morgan, who serves as chairman of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, said in a statement to Blaze News that Trump's support "saved" Timmons in the contest.

"It's incredibly frustrating to have strong conservative fighters consistently undercut with these endorsements. How can we drain the swamp when we keep sending the same swamp creatures to Congress?" Morgan said.

"Trump's endorsement saved my opponent, and the numbers prove it. Trump needs better advisors, and there are plenty of us who would be happy to help him. This is a personnel issue," he noted.

Punchbowl News reported that U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) said that Trump "is endorsing moderates in most races if there's a conservative in the race."

"We can't send the swamp any people that are just going to keep funding the status quo," Davidson noted, according to the outlet.

'He is endorsing against the very kind of candidates that would work with him in the Congress.'

"I think you can look no further than Congressman Warren Davidson's comments," Deace said in his statement to Blaze News. "Trump's endorsements have always been 50-50 at best, which is still 100% better than we've gotten from previous standard-bearers. However, he has really disappointed at times."

"Trump is probably a huge reason Lindsey Grahamnesty continues to infest our ranks. Carrying out a personal grudge against Bob Good, one of the most reliable conservatives in Congress, is inexcusably petty. And Good is just one example of how Trump's endorsements have been especially establishment friendly. I know he wants unity within the party to aid his odds of winning this fall, but in too many races he is endorsing against the very kind of candidates that would work with him in the Congress if he does," Deace noted.

Politico reported that Davidson, like Trump, has endorsed McGuire.

"I'm happy to join President Trump by supporting and endorsing John McGuire for Congress," Davidson said in a statement, according to the outlet. "I look forward to serving with him in the 119th Congress to support President Trump and the America First agenda. Drain the swamp!"

Davidson had advocated against selecting Good to serve as House Freedom Caucus chair, saying in a message last year, "I ask that we consider how to best increase our influence while preserving our power to move policy in the right direction. I strongly feel that Bob Good as Chairman will impair that objective."

"I ask that you prayerfully consider electing someone else as Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus," Davidson wrote.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) declared in March that "Donald Trump just endorsed the worst Deep State candidate this cycle."

The senator was referring to former Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan, who is running for U.S. Senate. Paul called Rogers "a never Trumper, and a card carrying member of the spy state that seeks to destroy Trump."

Paul then added, "You have to ask yourself who gives Trump this awful advice? Who's next, John Bolton?"

"If he's good with Mike Rogers (R-Deep State), maybe he should pick Liz Cheney for VP?" Paul also tweeted.

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Outcome of Republican primary between Rep. William Timmons and SC Freedom Caucus chairman Adam Morgan still unclear



The outcome of the Republican primary contest between incumbent U.S. Rep. William Timmons and state Rep. Adam Morgan in South Carolina's 4th Congressional District is still not yet clear, though the unofficial results currently indicate that Timmons is leading by more than 2,000 votes.

Timmons, who has served in the House since 2019, had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who is the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee.

Timmons is listed as a member of the 'Conservative Climate Caucus.'

"Congressman William Timmons is a terrific advocate for the people of South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District! A Captain in the Air National Guard, he fights hard to Secure our Border, Strengthen our Military, Support our Veterans, Grow the Economy, Defend our Second Amendment, and Hold Joe Biden and the Radical Left Accountable. An original Member of my South Carolina Leadership Team, Congressman William Timmons has my Complete and Total Endorsement!" Trump declared on Truth Social.

But GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah both endorsed Morgan, according to voteadammorgan.com.

Morgan, the chair of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, told Blaze News last month that "we need fewer Lindsey Grahams" holding office and more figures like U.S. Reps. Chip Roy and Ralph Norman.

Timmons is listed as a member of the "Conservative Climate Caucus."

"The 2024 June Primaries are on Tuesday, June 11 for both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. You can vote in either Primary, but not both," scvotes.gov notes.

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Blaze News original: South Carolina Freedom Caucus stands for conservative principles while fighting the 'uniparty'



The South Carolina freedom caucus is a coalition of more than a dozen state representatives fighting to advance conservative principles in the Palmetto State, but while Republicans hold a massive majority in the chamber, the freedom caucus' struggle is not just against Democrats but Republicans as well.

State Rep. Josiah Magnuson (R), who serves as the Freedom Caucus' secretary, told Blaze News that Republicans as well as Democrats (which he collectively calls the "uniparty") both "have it out for the Freedom Caucus."

'Core group of ... absolute RINO establishment hacks ... Democrats that like to dress in ... drag and act like Republicans.'

State Rep. Adam Morgan (R), who chairs the conservative group, indicated to Blaze News that there is a pattern in which the freedom caucus raises an issue, other Republicans suggest it's not an issue, "we put it on the record, they vote against it, they all get hammered," but then the Republican opponents reverse course, and "we all together vote for whatever conservative principle" is at hand because they must face election.

He said that there is a "core group of ... absolute RINO establishment hacks ... Democrats that like to dress in ... drag and act like Republicans."

Morgan also indicated that there are many Republican lawmakers in the middle who sometimes vote with the freedom caucus but sometimes vote with leadership.

The Palmetto Truth Project has been attacking South Carolina Freedom Caucus members and candidates aligned with the freedom caucus, using mailers, mass text messages, and other means, according to Evan Newman of the State Freedom Caucus Network. Newman serves as the state director for the South Carolina Freedom Caucus.

President and owner of Starboard Communications Walter Whetsell, who does work with the South Carolina Republican Caucus, is also working with the Palmetto Truth Project.

Whetsell told Blaze News that the South Carolina "House Republican Caucus is one of many clients of ours that we provide consulting services for. We also work directly for many members of the House Republican Caucus on individual bases." He also noted, "We do provide consulting services to the Palmetto Truth Project as we do for more than two dozen or so clients."

Whetsell stated that "while members of the Freedom Caucus have been extremely misleading with their narrative to voters, they occasionally have slipped and admitted their real goal is to 'burn this place down.'"

He asserted that "the Post and Courier, has highlighted the Freedom Caucus deceptions on a variety of issues ... from allowing convicted felons to carry handguns in the open, to not rewarding law enforcement and school teachers with pay increases, to proposing penalties (up to the death penalty) for women who have abortions. All the while, they voted 'no' to lowering the state's income tax, which would allow hard-working taxpayers keeping more of their money."

When offered the opportunity to respond to some of Whetsell's comments, Magnuson declared to Blaze News, "The SC Freedom Caucus is a real threat to the power of the good ol' boys in the Columbia Swamp, so it makes sense why they would lie about us so desperately."

"Our members have consistently voted in favor of the budget sections in question, such as infrastructure, law enforcement, and teacher pay raises, and in fact have often advocated for greater funding of those areas rather than wasting taxpayer dollars on crazy pork projects. And none of us have ever advocated for the death penalty for abortion. It is the failed political establishment who is intent on spinning a misleading narrative across the state. Their concern is not for the truth but for their gravy train," Magnuson declared.

Whetsell told Blaze News that the amount of money the Palmetto Truth Project is spending "seems to grow by the day with the continued missteps and pearl-clutching of the Freedom Caucus. I provide their group with marketing advice based upon the issue[s] they are concerned about and provide them a variety of marketing options for reaching rational, reasonable, common-sense conservative voters with those messages," he noted.

Morgan, who is currently challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. William Timmons in the Republican primary in South Carolina's 4th Congressional District, said that "we need fewer Lindsey Grahams" holding office and more figures like Reps. Chip Roy and Ralph Norman. Graham is one of the state's two U.S. senators, while Roy currently represents Texas' 21st Congressional District, and Norman represents South Carolina's 5th Congressional District.

"The ruling coalition of liberal Republicans and their Democrat allies have surrendered to the woke Left and the globalist onslaught against American freedom," the South Carolina Freedom Caucus executive team said in a statement provided to Blaze News by Magnuson.

'We are exposing the RINOs and forcing them to address issues that Republican voters actually care about.'

"Under 30 years of RINO leadership, they have allowed our roads to crumble, our law enforcement to be demoralized, and our small businesses across our state to shutter their doors. They have failed to close our primaries, rid our state of DEI and CRT, or reform the backroom judicial selection process. And they continue to push crony capitalism and corporate welfare for the politically connected," the statement declared. "The SC Freedom Caucus represents the first real threat to the failed status quo. That's why you see a coordinated effort between lobbyists, special interests, and liberal leadership relentlessly attacking the only real conservative lawmakers in South Carolina."

"Our unwillingness to cave on our conservative policy positions, our refusal to sign their Soviet-style loyalty pledge to protect the good ol' boys, and our demands for roll call votes, have terrified the political club in Columbia. We are exposing the RINOs and forcing them to address issues that Republican voters actually care about," the statement noted. "The political establishment sees their gravy train evaporating that benefits entrenched legislators, their special interest friends, and woke corporations. By returning the People's House back to the People and creating solutions for conservative reform, the SC Freedom Caucus is moving our state from the most liberal red state in the country toward the beacon of conservatism that South Carolinians expect and deserve."

Blaze Media's Daniel Horowitz recently opined in a post on X, "The most important thing in SC is to reelect and expand the Freedom Caucus."

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