Republican candidates — and loyal MAGA influencers — no longer view President Donald Trump's endorsement with the same value it used to have, according to a report Monday.
The Down Ballot Substack's David Nir and Jeff Singer described how Arizona Republican candidate Gina Swoboda dropped out of her race for "the swingy 1st Congressional District," after previously receiving Trump's full endorsement. Instead, she announced she would run for Arizona Secretary of State against incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.
"Swoboda switched races the day after wealthy businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson dropped out of the primary to oppose Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Robson, unlike Swoboda, did not announce a new bid for office," The Down Ballot reported.
Robson, who, like Swoboda, was also endorsed by Trump, cited leaving the race because she did not want a "divisive" Republican primary, The Daily Beast reported.
"The two women, however, share one unhappy distinction," according to The Down Ballot. "While they both entered their respective races last year as Donald Trump’s sole endorsed candidate, MAGA’s master responded to the backlash from the same cadre of far-right figures by extending his support to a second, more ideologically pure option."
The president's stamp of approval might have a different meaning these days, especially as infighting rises among MAGA.
"MAGA loudmouths have shown that even Trump is no longer fully in charge of bestowing his blessings," The Down Ballot reported.
MAGA allies Laura Loomer and the Arizona Freedom Caucus' state Sen. Jake Hoffman have attacked and criticized Swoboda. Loomer has accused the lawmaker of “going on podcasts badmouthing” Charlie Kirk's organization Turning Point USA and claimed she has a "record of working against MAGA grassroots activists." Hoffman has posted his attacks at Swoboda on X.
“It’s insanity that the AZGOP Chairwoman continues to trip all over herself to UNDERMINE election integrity & defend the literal socialist Pima County Recorder,” Hoffman wrote in November. “Gina Swoboda is a Democrat.”
The Trump endorsement could ultimately backfire on Republicans, according to The Down Ballot.
"Trump’s newfound flexibility has resulted in a playing field where candidates and their allies are no longer willing to let Trump have the final word on his own preferences," The Down Ballot reported. "Trump himself may love getting to watch Republican office-seekers continue to grovel for his backing, but it’s also made his endorsement less powerful than it once was."
"Candidates who have Trump’s sole backing now have to be wary of rivals who understand that they might still have the chance to get him to bless their campaigns," according to The Down Ballot. "While his endorsement once would have made Swoboda and Robson the instant favorites in their primaries, Loomer and Hoffman now know that Trump can still be swayed, with potentially major consequences."
And although campaigns have previously relied on Trump and his backing, that might not be the case anymore.
"Trump’s endorsement remains the most vital commodity in GOP politics, but even he can no longer use it bestow MAGA’s unquestioned seal of approval," The Down Ballot reported.