Former President Donald Trump withdrew his support for Republican politician Blake Masters on Friday, delivering a “complete and total endorsement” to Masters’ primary rival, Abe Hamadeh, in Arizona.
The announcement came through a post on Truth Social, a platform Trump has endorsed as an alternative to mainstream social media, as reported by Mediaite on Friday, December 8.
Trump urged his supporters to rally behind Hamadeh, praising him as a veteran, former prosecutor, and a staunch defender of election integrity.
The former president highlighted Hamadeh’s commitment to prioritizing America’s interests and his experience fighting for the country overseas.
“Abe Hamadeh is Strong on the Border, the Military/Vets, Crime, Cutting Taxes, Election Integrity, and Protecting our Great Second Amendment.
He knows that if the flame of freedom is extinguished, it may never come back again,” Trump declared in his Truth Social post.
This endorsement marks a significant shift from Trump’s previous support for Blake Masters, whom he had endorsed in the 2022 elections. Despite Masters winning the primary, he faced defeat in the 2022 Senate election in Arizona against Sen. Mark Kelly.
In September, as Masters contemplated another run for office, he encountered lukewarm responses from former allies, including Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. J.D. Vance.
Both senators distanced themselves, with Hawley focusing on his own race and Vance delaying endorsements until candidates officially entered the race.
Masters ultimately chose not to pursue the Senate again, throwing his support behind Kari Lake, a favorite of the Trump camp. However, this move backfired as Lake promptly endorsed Hamadeh, Masters’ primary rival, shortly after he announced his bid for the House of Representatives.
Notably, Masters was once aligned with Republican billionaire Peter Thiel, who also backed Sen. J.D. Vance in 2022. Described as Thiel’s protégé, Masters enjoyed the support of one of Trump’s prominent donors in 2016. However, a recent shift in Thiel’s stance has had repercussions for Masters.
In a revealing interview with the Atlantic last month, Thiel expressed disappointment in the Trump administration, citing failure to meet even his “low expectations.”
Thiel disclosed that Trump had called him expressing sadness and disappointment after Thiel refused further financial support. The Atlantic further reported that Trump had labeled Thiel a ‘fucking scumbag.’
These intricate political dynamics underscore the fluidity of alliances and loyalties within the Republican party, as Trump’s endorsement significantly impacts the dynamics of the upcoming congressional race in Arizona’s District 8.
The shift also sheds light on the changing landscape of political endorsements, with candidates navigating intricate webs of support and rivalry.
As the 2024 presidential race looms, Thiel’s withdrawal from supporting any candidate and Trump’s evolving relationships hint at the complexities within the GOP as it seeks to define its future direction.
