Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday to push back against criticism of his endorsement record, asserting that his backing remains "stronger than ever" even as several high-profile candidates he supported fell short in recent primaries.
"My Endorsements are stronger than ever — Not to mention the fact that good people are getting elected that never had the chance," Trump wrote, touting a graphic that showed 254 of his endorsed candidates winning their races this cycle, a 97% success rate out of 262 contests.
However, that rosy picture masks a string of notable defeats. In Florida, GOP Rep. Cory Mills lost his renomination bid to TV anchor Ryan Elijah. In Tennessee, Rep. Andy Ogles was ousted by Agricultural Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. And in Michigan, Amir Hassan, a Trump-backed House hopeful, also came up short.
Trump sought to downplay those losses, framing them as acts of loyalty to "good people" who faced long odds. "The few that lost were done out of loyalty. It was almost impossible for them to win but, I felt obligated to go with them because they were, in my opinion, good people," he wrote.
The president's endorsement power faces fresh tests this week. In South Carolina, Trump-backed Sen. Darline Graham is locked in a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman for the Senate nomination. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, Trump's pick for governor, Mike Mazzei, is squaring off against Attorney General Gentner Drummond in the Republican primary.
Political analysts are watching these races closely, as they could signal whether Trump's endorsement remains a decisive force in GOP primaries or whether his influence is waning. The Oklahoma contest, in particular, has drawn national attention, with the runoff seen as a key barometer of Trump's clout.
Trump's recent activity has also intersected with other political and financial storylines. His planned appearance at an IndyCar event comes amid escalating trade tensions with Canada, and his administration's pressure campaign on Iran has drawn parallels to a final economic showdown. Meanwhile, his family's legal battles continue, with Trump seeking to protect relatives from subpoenas in a defamation case.
Despite the mixed results, Trump remains defiant, insisting that his endorsements are a point of pride and that he takes the responsibility seriously. "It is an Honor that I take very seriously," he said.
Whether voters in South Carolina and Oklahoma agree will become clear in the coming days, as the outcomes could shape the narrative around Trump's political influence heading into the general election.
