Trump scrambles to offer jobs to GOP candidate and her husband after yanking endorsement

Donald Trump publicly reversed himself on a key endorsement after an army of lobbyists and Republican insiders convinced him his vindictive primary challenge was a political blunder heading into the midterms. The result: a humbling walk-back and a cushy administration job for the candidate he'd thrown overboard.

According to The Washington Post, Trump had viciously turned on first-term Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) after Hurd dared to criticize his tariff policies and join Democrats in voting to rescind Trump's Canada tariffs. In a fit of retaliation, Trump endorsed Hurd's primary challenger, Hope Scheppelman, a critical care nurse.

But an unprecedented coalition of tech and energy sector lobbyists, along with current and former lawmakers, descended on the White House with a clear message: this primary was a catastrophic mistake that could cost Republicans the seat in November.

In a rare moment of capitulation, Trump reversed course entirely.

On social media, he announced Hurd once again had his "Complete and Total Endorsement" — effectively putting an end to Scheppelman's campaign.

To soften the blow of publicly abandoning Scheppelman, Trump offered her and her husband positions in his administration. Scheppelman will become a senior adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a White House official speaking anonymously.

It's a transparent acknowledgment that Trump's impulse for political revenge undermines his party's electoral interests — and that even Republicans are willing to override his instincts when they threaten midterm control.

GOP strategist Dick Wadhams explained the political reality: "Hope is way out of the mainstream of the 3rd District, and she would have been a terribly weak candidate."

Former Rep. Charlie Dent, who said he didn't lobby the White House but supported Hurd, was direct about the problem. "It is a terrible mistake to primary a member of your own party over a rather simple policy disagreement, in my view," Dent said, adding he was "pleased the president reversed himself."

In February, Hurd joined five other House Republicans and most Democrats in voting to rescind Trump's Canada tariffs. Trump responded by denouncing him as a "RINO," a biting acronym for "Republican in name only."

"Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time, and that includes Primaries!" Trump had threatened on social media.