politics
Trump Endorses Candidates in GOP Primaries
President Trump has endorsed candidates in nearly all competitive Republican primaries, pressing some challengers to step aside in favor of incumbents he views as more electable. The moves follow decisive victories by Trump-backed candidates in Indiana state Senate races tied to a congressional redistricting dispute. Trump has also signaled potential U.S.
May 8, 3:04 PM·3m read37 sources
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President Trump is intervening aggressively in Republican primaries to avoid costly intraparty fights that could drain resources and weaken the GOP ahead of this fall's midterm elections. He has also backed candidates in nearly two-thirds of Senate races.
Republican operatives credit the early and decisive interventions with helping the party maintain focus on general-election contests against Democrats. The strategy was on display last week in Kentucky, where Trump asked businessperson Nate Morris to drop his Senate primary bid against Rep.
Andy Barr. Morris, who had been endorsed by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, stepped aside and Trump subsequently announced he would appoint Morris to an ambassadorship. A similar sequence occurred in March when Trump withdrew support from Hope Scheppelman in her challenge to Rep.
Jeff Hurd in Colorado. After determining Hurd had a stronger general-election path, Trump urged Scheppelman to exit the race and later said she would join the administration. In Indiana, five of seven Republican state senators who opposed a Trump-favored congressional redistricting map lost their primaries Tuesday to challengers who carried the president's explicit endorsement.
Only state Sen. Greg Goode retained his seat. The map would likely have added two Republican-leaning U.S. House districts. Trump has also targeted incumbents who have broken with him on policy. In Kentucky's 4th Congressional District he is backing Ed Gallrein against Rep.
Thomas Massie, who has opposed the president on the Iran conflict and tariffs. In Louisiana, Trump is supporting Rep. Julia Letlow against Sen. Bill Cassidy, who has resisted aspects of the administration's health agenda.
European Allies Brace for Further U.S.
allies in Europe expect President Trump to withdraw additional American forces from the continent. The anticipation follows Trump's recent decision to pull 5,000 troops from Germany and his public criticism of Italy and Spain. " Italy had refused to let U.S. aircraft use the Sigonella air base in Sicily without prior authorization, while Spain had closed its airspace to American warplanes conducting strikes on Iran.
