Former President Trump announced Tuesday that he is endorsing Rep. Bob Good’s (R-Va.) primary opponent, Virginia state Sen. John McGuire, who seeks to unseat the incumbent in the June 18 primary.
Good — who chairs the conservative House Freedom Caucus — initially endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) bid for president, becoming one of the rare GOP figures willing to support a candidate other than Trump in the race.
Once DeSantis ended his campaign, Good immediately threw his support behind Trump and promised to work to elect the former president to another term in the White House.
On a publish on Truth Social Tuesday, however, Trump said Good’s support was “too late” while criticizing the incumbent.
“Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA AND BAD FOR THE USA,” the presumptive Republican nominee wrote in a statement. “He turned his back on our incredible movement and was constantly attacking and fighting me until recently when he gave a warm and ‘loving’ endorsement. But really, it was already too late. The damage was done!”
“I just want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person who can most help me do that is Navy Seal and highly respected state legislator, John McGuire, a true American hero,” he added.
Good has been careful not to criticize the former president, but in recent months he has found himself at odds with one of Trump’s closest allies in the House — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
Greene criticized Good for supporting the effort that led to the historic removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his leadership role and for what she saw as a lack of loyalty to the former president.
McGuire, in a statement provided through a spokesperson, echoed that sentiment and said Trump recognized he was the true “MAGA candidate.”
“Thank you to President Donald J. Trump for endorsing my campaign for Congress! I have been with Trump since he came down the escalator and when he is in Congress, I will support his agenda and put America first!” McGuire said in the statement.
“Trump is exactly right about Bob Good,” he continued. “Our country is in grave danger under Biden and we need Trump to save America. We can’t trust Bob Good. Trump has recognized that I am the 100% MAGA candidate in this race and I appreciate that. I am ready to give everything I have to represent the 5th District effectively and aggressively.”
In recent weeks, both candidates I tried to label the other as the “RINO” candidate – Republican in name only – and shows his support for the former president.
On May 16, both appeared in New York court with Trump in a show of solidarity as the former president faces his first criminal trial in connection with hush money payments made to an adult film star before the 2016 presidential election.
The Hill reached out to Good’s campaign for a response.
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