US President Donald Trump has defended his record of endorsing Republican candidates in primary elections after two candidates backed by him suffered defeats this week.
Trump said his endorsed candidates went 8-1 in the latest round of Republican primaries, dismissing the defeat of Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, whom he said had “virtually no chance of winning.”
“Last night was another good night for Endorsements, 8-1,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that he had remained loyal to Ogles despite his assessment of the congressman’s chances.
Ogles, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, lost the Republican primary in Tennessee’s newly redrawn 5th Congressional District to former Agricultural Commissioner Charlie Hatcher.
Hatcher secured 53.2 per cent of the vote against Ogles’ 46.8 per cent, according to results cited by the Associated Press.
The defeat came just a day after Trump had described Ogles as a “Conservative Warrior” and announced his “complete and total endorsement” of his bid for a third term.
Following Ogles’ defeat, Trump quickly switched his support to Hatcher, who will face Democrat Chaz Molder in the November election.
“Good luck Charlie! Run tough and hard,” Trump wrote. “You have my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
Ogles has faced controversy over his campaign finances and résumé. The FBI seized his cellphone in 2024 as part of a campaign finance investigation, although the Justice Department later agreed to return the device. He also acknowledged in 2023 that he had misrepresented his college degree.
Despite the controversies, Trump had endorsed Ogles as far back as last year and continued to support him throughout the primary campaign.
Ogles acknowledged his defeat after the results were announced, saying that while nobody liked losing, the candidates had fought a good race and Hatcher ultimately prevailed.
Trump also suffered another setback earlier in the week when Amir Hassan, his preferred candidate in a Michigan Republican primary, lost to Thomas J. Smith, a retired engineer who had reportedly suspended his campaign the previous month.
Smith secured about 50.4 per cent of the vote, compared with Hassan’s 33.2 per cent, according to the Associated Press.
Smith will now face incumbent Democratic Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet in November.
Trump has previously described his Republican endorsements as “virtually insurmountable,” claiming that almost everyone he supports wins—and often by a significant margin…..see more