Trump Endorses Virginia State Sen. McGuire in Primary

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Facts

• Former US Pres. Donald Trump has endorsed Virginia state Sen. John McGuire, who's challenging incumbent two-term US Rep. Bob Good in Virginia's 5th Congressional District's GOP primary. Good is also the chair of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus.¹
• The primary, which is scheduled for June 18, will pit two conservatives in a historically Republican-dominated district.²
• In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Good 'turned his back on our incredible movement, and was constantly attacking and fighting me until recently,' referring to Good's initial endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president.³
• Trump wrote that McGuire, a former Navy SEAL who has aligned himself closely with the former president, would be 'strong on crime, will protect our great Military/Vets, and will always defend our under siege Second Amendment.'⁴
• Trump's endorsement comes as a recent internal GOP poll showed 45% of district voters would support McGuire compared to 31% for Good.³

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²Washington Post, ³Cardinal News and ⁴POLITICO.com.

Narratives

• Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Breitbart. Good must have thought his privileged status as the incumbent of this race would make everyone forget his anti-Trump rhetoric early in the presidential campaign. Good didn't just disrespect Trump, the congressman is also trying to take the Freedom Caucus off its track. If you're not 100% Trump, you're not for today's GOP.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by The Daily Beast. This further proves Trump owns the soul of the Republican Party, which even turns on one of its stalwarts because of a perceived slight over an intra-party endorsement. That fact that far-right Good couldn't stay in Trump's good graces shows how much the GOP has become the 'Trump Party' with little loyalty or a serious platform to run on.
• Republican narrative, as provided by American Conservative. Trump's endorsement is just part of the process of determining where Republicans in Virginia's 5th stand. After endorsing DeSantis, Good got back in line behind Trump in the presidential race, and Good has the support of some grassroots organizations. This race will determine the direction of this district and indicate whether the GOP as a whole is turning away from the Freedom Caucus.

Predictions