Trump Republican primary losses
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Trump's endorsed candidates lost four of 17 open GOP gubernatorial primaries, including Mike Lindell in Minnesota. The losses signal waning influence as he heads into the general election season.
Background
President Trump has been actively endorsing candidates in Republican primaries this year, but a string of losses in recent weeks has raised questions about his political clout. According to a POLITICO analysis, Trump backed 17 candidates in open gubernatorial primaries, with four losing. Notable defeats include Mike Lindell in Minnesota and Amir Hassan in Michigan. The White House defends the record, citing a 98 percent success rate across 238 endorsements.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2026Amir Hassan, endorsed by Trump, loses Michigan gubernatorial primary to Tom Smith, who had dropped out.
- Aug 11, 2026Mike Lindell loses Minnesota GOP gubernatorial primary to Lisa Demuth; he refuses to concede.
- Aug 12, 2026Darline Graham advances to runoff in South Carolina Senate race despite Trump's early support.
- Aug 15, 2026POLITICO reports Trump's endorsement record: 10 wins, 4 losses in open gubernatorial primaries.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- A White House official cited a 98 percent success rate in 238 endorsements, pushing back on criticism.
- Analysts
- Analysts see the losses as a sign of Trump's waning support amid low approval ratings.
- Public
- Some Minnesota Republicans worried Lindell's election denial would drag down the ticket, favoring Demuth's electability.
Still unverified
Mike Lindell alleged 'anomalies' in the Minnesota primary without providing evidence; his claims are unsubstantiated.