Former President Donald Trump continues to falsely promote the repeatedly debunked fantasy that the 2020 election was "stolen" from him by Democrats conspiring with elections companies and foreign adversaries to facilitate widespread election fraud.
With Trump's status as the kingmaker of the Republican party fully cemented, the promotion of Trump's election lies is imperative to gain his endorsement.
Far-right Alabama Congressman-turned-Senate candidate Mo Brooks just learned that the hard way.
As one of Trump's most devout defenders in Congress, Brooks repeatedly embraced Trump's election lies, even giving a rousing speech promoting these delusions before a crowd of supporters at the White House Ellipse on January 6—just hours before a mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the United States Capitol to disrupt the joint congressional session certifying now-President Joe Biden's victory.
But it only took one sentence for that loyalty, in Trump's eyes, to evaporate. Last August—at a Trump rally in Cullman, Alabama—Brooks urged Trump's supporters to "put [the 2020 election] behind you" and instead look forward to mobilizing in 2022 and 2024. The comments earned immediate boos from the crowd.
Now, seven months later, Trump has issued a lengthy statement publicly revoking his endorsement of Brooks, writing in part:
"Very sad but, since he decided to go in another direction, so have I, and I am hereby withdrawing my Endorsement of Mo Brooks for the Senate. I don't think the great people of Alabama will disagree with me. Election Fraud must be captured and stopped, or we won't have a Country anymore. I will be making a new Endorsement in the near future!"
It's a humiliating development for Brooks, who has touted Trump's endorsement at every chance. As recently as this month, he released an ad touting his ties to Trump. Brooks even put "Endorsed by President Trump" in his Twitter name.
Now, Brooks has released his own lengthy statement responding to Trump's un-endorsement, accusing the former President of being "manipulated" by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, writing:
"It's disappointing that, just like in 2017, President Trump lets Mitch McConnell manipulate him again. Every single negative TV ad against our campaign has come from McConnell and his allies. I wish President Trump wouldn't fall for McConnell's ploys, but, once again, he has."
That isn't going to sit well with Trump, who has repeatedly blasted McConnell for publicly refuting his election lies, labeling McConnell a "broken old crow."
Brooks added:
"President Trump asked me to rescind the 2020 elections, immediately remove Joe Biden from the White House, immediately put President Trump back in the White House, and hold a new special election for the presidency. As a lawyer, I've repeatedly advised President Trump that January 6 was the final election contest verdict and neither the U.S. Constitution nor the U.S. Code permit what President Trump asks. Period."
He cited his oath to the Constitution before concluding:
"There's only one conservative option in this race, and I am confident that the people of Alabama will see that on Election Day."
Critics of Trump and Brooks were quick to respond to this trouble in paradise.
“Trump was manipulated by McConnell” is galaxy brain stuff https://t.co/7kS4OGoLXf
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) March 23, 2022
Republicans in disarray all day errday. https://t.co/Oo59ipKPYp
— Renee (@PettyLupone) March 23, 2022
Saying you fought against voter fraud when it counted most is like saying you beat the crap out of the boogey man because he’s abducting children. https://t.co/kiUdH7xA64
— WalaCam (@Isplom) March 23, 2022
My God, what a magnificent shitshow. https://t.co/qgJCixUAOD
— Joe Cunningham (@JoePCunningham) March 23, 2022
This kind of stuff is why I didn't jump on the Trump Train. Eventually all the passengers end up in front of it, tied to the tracks. https://t.co/JJ6NkI3SUR
— jimtreacher.substack.com (@jtLOL) March 23, 2022
"I never thought leopards would eat MY face," sobs man who tried to help steal an election for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party. https://t.co/OyFFS8pFkN
— Andy Craig (@AndrewRCraig) March 23, 2022
Some were disturbed by Brooks' claims that Trump asked him to undo the 2020 election and "immediately remove Joe Biden from the White House."
If Trump retakes power following the 2024 election, there is a good chance it will mean the end of democracy in the US. Statements like this serve as a reminder of that troubling reality. https://t.co/Dz0qh14EGs
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2022
So Trump asked him to overthrow a free and fair election and he still wants his endorsement. https://t.co/CmR6mxqfvT
— Janet Johnson (@JJohnsonLaw) March 23, 2022
Trump is a lunatic. He asked Mo to do this? LMAO https://t.co/OOjWPTp7sv
— Nicky🇺🇸 (@NickyScatz) March 23, 2022
It remains unclear who Trump will endorse in the race now.
