.Philip_Elliott: Why did Donald Trump un-endorse Mo Brooks? His ego
But perhaps Brooks’ real sin? Failing to gain traction. Trump is incredibly boastful of his endorsement record. A tap from Trump is akin to a crown. It’s not an exaggeration when Trump’s team brags that it’s the most powerful endorsement in politics. It’s usually enough to slay anyone who doesn’t get the MAGA blessing.
Trump, who obsessively believes he won in 2020, took that as a slight. He feels aggrieved and cheated. And anyone looking to move anywhere outside the aura of Trump will feel his wrath. As a reminder of how petulant Trump can be when he’s feeling insulted, he put out the withdrawal of the endorsement to his list of reporters without calling Brooks first.of staff who now runs a state business group and awho was shot from the skies of Somalia in 1993. Trump has met with both within the last month.
If all of this feels chaotic, that’s probably the right assessment. As President, Trump fired Cabinet secretaries by tweet and pitted aides against one another. He has been vicious to even his most loyal aides when he feels let down and lashes out at anyone who doesn’t fall in line. It’s even worse if those who speak up can’t guarantee Trump bragging rights.