Florida Republican Representative Greg Steube was mocked online for a hilarious Freudian slip while announcing his endorsement of former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential race.
On Newsmax, Steube accidentally referred to the former president as “Donald J. Chump.” Despite this, Steube went on to praise Trump for his “America first” policies and mentioned that he enjoys “wide support in Florida and in [Steube’s] district.”
You can hear what Steube said in the video below.
\u201cRep. Steube (R-Fla.) announces he\u2019s supporting Trump\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
Steube, an ardent supporter of Trump, was among 147 Republicans in Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 election results, even after a mob of Trump's supporters attacked the United States Capitol on the false premise the election had been stolen.
The endorsement from Steube adds to the list of Florida lawmakers who have endorsed Trump for 2024, including Reps. Byron Donalds, Anna Paulina Luna, Matt Gaetz, and Cory Mills.
But it didn't land the way he intended—and many mocked his slip of the tongue.
\u201c@Acyn Fear and loathing Florida style.\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
\u201c@Acyn Donald J. Chump: Thank you, Representative Schtup.\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
\u201c@Acyn Clearly a Freudian slip, right?\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
\u201c@Acyn Chump\ud83e\udd23\nYou know he calls him that in private ---\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
\u201c@Acyn Supporting an indicted criminal, secret documents thief?\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
\u201c@Acyn Chump 2024\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
\u201c@Acyn These detractors are gonna be really sorry in their districts when DeSantis gets his veto pen out.\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
\u201c@Acyn He may come to regret that.\u201d— Acyn (@Acyn) 1681775072
As per a recent report by NBC News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis—who is speculated to run in 2024 and would be Trump's biggest rival—has reportedly commenced reaching out to Republican members of the Florida congressional delegation to encourage them to refrain from endorsing any candidates at the moment.
DeSantis' effort is aimed at avoiding any desertions in his own state, as DeSantis fears that early endorsements for any other candidate could undermine his own campaign.
Despite Steube’s slip of the tongue, the announcement of the endorsement highlights the ongoing influence of Trump within the Republican Party and the debate within the party about the direction it should take in the post-Trump era.
Late last month, Trump turned himself in at the Manhattan Criminal Court and was taken into custody.
He has been accused of committing 34 felony charges, which include the fabrication of business records to conceal a payment of $130,000 made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the last days of his 2016 presidential campaign, allegedly to keep her from revealing their alleged affair.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
