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Former Republican President Donald Trump lashed out at two Republican Senate nominees who lost their races after disavowing his unfounded claims of election fraud.
Writing on his troubled social media platform Truth Social, Trump criticized Colorado Republican Senate candidate Joe O’Dea and New Hampshire Republican Senate candidate Don Bolduc after they lost to the Democratic incumbents.
Trump said O’Dea "lost BIG!" and reiterated his campaign slogan to "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Indeed, O'Dea broke with Trump on his lies that the 2020 presidential election was rife with fraud and abuse, at one point saying he would campaign against Trump if he launches another bid for the presidency.
On the subject of Bolduc's loss, Trump was more specific, saying he lost "when he disavowed... his longstanding stance on Election Fraud."
Trump added:
"Had he stayed strong and true, he would have won, easily. Lessons Learned!!!"
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
Bolduc endorsed Trump's lies during his primary, which he won decisively, but walked back his position days after winning the primary drawing the ire of Trump and other Republicans in the process.
Despite this, Trump officially endorsed Bolduc late last week, though that endorsement did nothing to fend off the incumbent, Democrat Maggie Hassan.
In many ways, this year's midterm elections were seen as a referendum on how much sway Trump's rhetoric still has over the American electorate, and the lack of a "red wave"—which Republican politicians and pollsters had long predicted—indicates that many voters have repudiated his lies and blatant attempts to subvert the democratic process.
The news Trump turned on the two Republicans did not surprise anyone who criticized the role he has played within the GOP.
The New York Timesreported that "Trump-backed candidates lost or were faring poorly" in key states and that the "close races on the rest of the electoral map confounded Mr. Trump," who had expected the projected "red wave" to materialize.
Although Trump endorsed about 300 candidates during the midterm election cycle—and Republicans saw key victories in states like Ohio and Florida—it is evident that his "quest for redemption" after losing the last presidential election has not necessarily resulted in Republicans remaining loyal to him, hurting his chances should he announce he will run in 2024.