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Donald Trump
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally. John Locher/AP

Freedom Caucus Worries Trump Is Getting Taken for a Ride on Endorsements

Trump has notably supported some more moderate GOP candidates over far-right challengers this cycle, angering many conservatives and delighting establishment Republicans.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally. John Locher/AP

For years now, Republicans have smothered Donald Trump in compliments, made pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago and even sorted out his favorite Starbursts as personal gifts — all to win four of the most sought-after words in Republican politics: “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

Trump’s seal of approval is often the difference in GOP primaries, with Trump’s endorsement record in primaries standing at 93% in 2022 and 97% in 2020. (His general election success rate is far lower: 83% in 2022 and 78% in 2020.) But this year, flattery seems to be factoring less into Trump’s endorsements than electoral viability. And the former president’s decisions are raising eyebrows — and blood pressures — in far-right circles.

In the case of House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, Trump’s endorsement seems to come down to two things: viability and, more than anything, vengeance.