Donald Trump ally Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) has nixed his endorsement of a fellow Ohio Republican who was heard on leaked audio saying he doesn't want the former president's endorsement.
Craig Riedel, a former state representative now running for Congress in Ohio, was targeted on Friday by fellow Republican Matt Gaetz. Gaetz posted on social media that Riedel is a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only), and included an audio recording of Riedel.
In the recording, Riedel is asked if he's "looking for" a Trump endorsement.
"I am not, we are not, nope," the candidate can be heard saying in the leaked audio. Asked whether he's making a point of not seeking that endorsement, Riedel said yes, and he called Trump arrogant. He added that he doesn't support Trump's primary run.
Hours after Gaetz posted that recording, Riedel put out a statement in which he in fact endorses Trump.
"Matt Gaetz and a social media trickster pulled a stunt yesterday to try and convince President Trump to get involved in my congressional primary for proven loser JR Majewski," the campaign statement reads, adding that a "so-called donor" called him and made "numerous anti-Trump statements."
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"I was clear then, and let me be clear now: I am focused on winning this primary by defeating proven loser Jr Majewski and then defeating Marcy Kaptur in the general election."
That statement directly endorses Trump, but that wasn't enough for Miller, who put out a statement of his own. In the statement, Miller said America "needs strong leaders who will fight for the American people."
"Due to recent comments by Craig Riedel, I must rescind my support for his candidacy," Miller wrote. "I stand by my endorsement of President Donald J. Trump and will continue fighting to Make America Great Again. AGAIN."
