Rebel Republican candidates face 'backfire' from Trump over fabricated endorsements: Axios

Republicans are facing a nationwide epidemic of primary candidates pretending to have President Donald Trump's endorsement when they don't — and they're playing with fire, reported Axios.

"Trump's approval numbers are sagging but he still dominates the GOP, using endorsements to reward allies, punish detractors and reinforce his vise-like grip on the party," said the report. This state of affairs "has led Republicans in races nationwide to covet Trump's blessing, tout his endorsement — and appear a bit misleading when they don't get it."

Examples include Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who has boasted in ads that he "worked with President Trump" on the border, even though Trump has endorsed his opponent Julia Letlow (purportedly in retaliation for Cassidy voting to convict him at an impeachment trial); Colton Moore, a former state senator calling himself "Trump's #1 defender" in a Georgia congressional race despite Trump endorsing rival Clayton Fuller; and Alex Balazs, who is challenging Trump-endorsed Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) with ads that show him pretending to field a laudatory call with Trump.

This issue has been going on for years; Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette have traded blows over misleading implied Trump endorsements in the governor race there, as well.

These kinds of fake endorsements may confuse voters, Republicans fear — but they also are a massive risk to the candidate claiming them, as Trump can bring down his full fury to crush their campaigns.

"Top Republicans warn false claims about Trump's backing can backfire," said the report, with one Republican strategist telling Axios, "It's all fun and games until Trump uses his Truth Social account and megaphone to blast the candidate who has seemingly claimed support from him without actually getting it."

The president, the report noted, has "plenty of tools at his disposal to clarify who has his backing, and who doesn't," from his presence on social media, to cutting ads for the candidates he actually supports.