During the 2020 election cycle, Lynda Blanchard donated nearly $1 million to pro-Donald Trump political committees and served as his ambassador to Slovenia, a fact that she frequently touts on social media.
However, when she launched her Alabama Senate campaign with a video spotlighting her Trump bumper sticker, the former president became annoyed, reported Politico.
Trump even went so far as to announce his endorsement of Mo Brooks early because of it. Brooks, a longtime ally of Trump, posted on Twitter, “PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSED MY CAMPAIGN – I am honored and humbled by President Trump’s strong endorsement. I ask all Americans who share our America First vision to heed and honor President Trump’s request by joining our campaign.”
🚨 PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSED MY CAMPAIGN🚨
— Mo Brooks – Endorsed By President Trump 🇺🇸 (@MoBrooks) April 7, 2021
I am honored and humbled by President Trump's strong endorsement. I ask all Americans who share our America First vision to heed and honor President Trump's request by joining our campaign >> https://t.co/ADCPfMqXqL pic.twitter.com/LpvsDcSXoh
Many candidates are portraying themselves as Trump loyalists and are falsely claiming that they are being endorsed by Trump which is making his team act more aggressively with those who do. Because Trump isn’t in office, it is harder to keep track of campaigns, and his political team has to work harder to stop fake endorsements. According to the Politico report, the Trump campaign sent cease-and-desist letters to the likes of Alabama Senate candidate Jeff Sessions and even contenders for local office. Sessions fought back during his 2020 campaign but eventually lost to Tommy Tuberville after Trump endorsed him over Sessions.
In March, Blanchard posted on Twitter, “Honored to have received a surprise visit from President Trump at my event this weekend! I can’t wait to build on the MAGA Agenda and deliver results.”
Honored to have received a surprise visit from President Trump at my event this weekend! I can't wait to build on the MAGA Agenda and deliver results for the people of Alabama! https://t.co/KAwioCfekr
— Lynda Blanchard – Republican for U.S. Senate (@Blanchard4Sen) March 15, 2021
Later, Blanchard retweeted a Yellowhammer News post.
Alabama Senate candidate Lynda @Blanchard4Sen hosts Mar-a-Lago fundraiser, gets surprise visit from Trump #ALSen #alpolitics
— Yellowhammer News (@yhn) March 15, 2021
By @sean_yhn https://t.co/iukUmtfGTY
As the 2022 election cycle draws nearer, Trump will continue to weigh in on candidates. If a candidate fakes an endorsement, it could derail their campaign.
“Until a candidate gets an official statement from President Trump, whether in writing, video or audio, they do not have the official endorsement,” stated John McLaughlin, who was a pollster on Trump’s campaigns. “It’s dishonest. If proven, it could totally backfire.”
Former Pennsylvania GOP chairman Rob Gleason said, “I would warn people against claiming endorsements from anyone without authorization. When and if President Trump endorses anyone, it will be very unmistakable.”