Trump released a statement citing Brooks' performance and what he perceived to be Brooks' attempt at moving Republicans beyond his false 2020 election fraud claims. Trump stated that he would make another endorsement announcement in "near future."
Trump released a statement saying that he was sad to say this, but that he has decided to change his mind and withdrawn his endorsement of Mo Brooks for Senate. "I don’t believe the great people in Alabama will disagree with my views."
Trump has been disappointed by Brooks' performance for months. He has not gained traction in this race and is trailing in polls. The former president dropped the endorsement to avoid embarrassment in backing a losing candidate for a high-profile election. Trump is known for boasting about his endorsement record and views it as a sign of his power within the Republican party as he considers another run for president.
Trump's pick is not the only one that has struggled. Sean Parnell was the original candidate he endorsed for Pennsylvania's Senate race. However, he quit after being accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife. His endorsed candidate in North Carolina for an open Senate seat was Rep. Ted Budd has not made a big splash. In Georgia, his choice for governor, David Perdue is currently trailing the incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is one of his top targets in 2022.
Trump has been more careful and withheld endorsements in high-profile races including those in Ohio, Missouri and Arizona.
Trump had supported Brooks in April last year, over a year prior to the May 24 primary. This reward was for the conservative firebrand and ally who rallied a large crowd of Trump supporters at Jan. 6, 2021 that preceded The Capitol Insurrection.
Brooks is now in a primary fight with two formidable opponents: Katie Britt (the former head of a state-owned business group) and Mike Durant (a businessman who is best known for being the helicopter pilot killed and taken prisoner in 1993's "Black Hawk Down" incident.
Alabama's Senate race will determine who replaces retiring U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. He is a Republican. Britt was previously Shelby's chief-of-staff.
Brooks had spoken incendiary at the "Stop the Steal” rally before the storming the Capitol building. But their relationship has been strained.
In his Wednesday statement, Trump accused Brooks of being "woken" by comments he made at an August rally in Alabama with Trump that caused a few boos from the crowd.
Brooks stated to the crowd that it was time for the country to focus on the upcoming elections and move on from 2020's presidential race. Some rallygoers briefly booed Brooks' remarks.
Trump repeated his election lies Wednesday by saying, "When I heard his statements, I said, "Mo, you just lost the Election, there's nothing that you can do about.
Numerous federal and state election officials, as well as a succession of judges, Trump’s attorney general, and an arm of Trump's Department of Homeland Security, all claimed that there was no evidence supporting his claims of mass electoral fraud.
Trump had stated to the Washington Examiner last Wednesday that he was disappointed with Brooks' performance, and was considering backing another candidate, because Brooks, he claimed "changed."
He said that it was a tight race right now between them all, and he wasn't happy.
Brooks tried to salvage the endorsement, taking aim at Trump rival Mitch McConnell and pledging to not back McConnell in the Senate Republican Leader role if he wins. Trump has repeatedly called for McConnell's replacement after McConnell had criticized Trump's conduct Jan. 6.
Trump and his associates have maintained false claims that the vote was rigged in 2020, claims that have been completely disproved.
Brooks campaign spokesperson said Wednesday morning that Trump was currently working on a statement regarding his endorsement withdrawal. Britt was blamed by the campaign for spreading "bogus" poll numbers last week after Trump's comments about Brooks being disappointing.
Brooks campaign spokesperson Will Hampson stated that Mo Brooks was the only candidate in the race who stood with him on January 6, 2012.
According to someone familiar with the visit, Trump invited Britt and her husband Wesley Britt to visit him at his Palm Beach estate, Florida. According to another source, he also met with Durant last week. Another person spoke under the condition of anonymity in order to confirm this private meeting.
Britt and Durant have cash advantages over Brooks. Britt has raised almost $5 million. Durant has lent his campaign $4million, and Brooks has reported $2.1million in contributions.
Brooks relied heavily on Trump's connections throughout the race. Brooks refers to himself as "MAGA Mo" on his campaign signs, referring to the former president’s slogan "Make America Great Again". At a recent campaign stop, he was accompanied by a large-sized poster of Trump.
Although Trump's withdrawal of his endorsement is a significant loss for the Brooks campaign it also shows that the backing of the former president has not always ensured success, even in red states Alabama where he has had successive failures.
Trump supported Luther Strange in 2017's GOP primary for Jeff Sessions’ former Senate seat. But he was defeated by Roy Moore. Trump backed Moore who was plagued with sexual misconduct allegations. lost then to Democrat Doug Jones.
