US Senate candidate Mo Brooks blames Mitch McConnell after Trump pulls his endorsement
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
- The Senate candidate from Alabama said Trump is being manipulated by Mitch McConnell.
- Brooks was one of Trump's closest congressional allies.
- Trump criticized Brooks for not focusing on the 2020 election results.
Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama accused Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of "manipulating" former President Donald Trump after Trump withdrew his endorsement of Brooks' US Senate campaign.
"It's disappointing that, just like in 2017, President Trump lets Mitch McConnell manipulate him again. Every single negative TV ad against our campaign has come from McConnell and his allies," Brooks said in a statement. "I wish President Trump wouldn't fall for McConnell's ploys, but, once again, he has."
Brooks did not explain why he thought McConnell, who himself has become a frequent target of Trump's anger, was working against him with the former president.
Trump yanking his endorsement from Brooks comes weeks before the May 24 Alabama Republican primary. The former president said Brooks was "woke" for saying that Republicans should move on and look past the 2020 election.
"When I endorsed Mo Brooks, he took a 44-point lead and was unstoppable. He then hired campaign staff who 'brilliantly' convinced him to 'stop talking about the 2020 election.' He listened to them," Trump said in a statement Wednesday.
Trump also cited Brook's comments at a rally in August 2021 when he suggested the Republicans should not focus on the 2020 election results and move forward.
Brooks' comments drew ire from the crowd at that time. Following the 2020 presidential election, Trump and his supporters claimed that the election was stolen and called for several states to conduct election audits.
"When I heard his statement, I said, 'Mo, you just blew the election, and there's nothing you can do about it,'" Trump said. "Very sad but, since he decided to go in another direction, so have I, and I am hereby withdrawing my Endorsement of Mo Brooks for the Senate. I don't think the great people of Alabama will disagree with me."
Brooks said that he has not changed and remains the most conservative candidate running in his race.
"I am the only proven America First candidate in this Senate race," Brooks said. "I am the only candidate who fought voter fraud and election theft when it counted, between November 3 and January 6."
He added that he advised Trump that "January 6 was the final election contest verdict."
"I've told President Trump the truth knowing full well that it might cause President Trump to rescind his endorsement," he said. "But I took a sworn oath to defend and protect the US Constitution. I honor my oath. That is the way I am. I break my sworn oath for no man."
Brooks was one of Trump's closest congressional allies and vociferously supported Trump when he ran for the White House.
Brooks is one of six Republicans angling to replace GOP Sen. Richard Shelby, who is retiring. Shelby has endorsed Republican Katie Britt in the race and has transferred money from his own campaign committee to help her win the Senate race, according to AL.com and Politico.