Midterms 2026 · Report · File No. 261101-015
Trump endorses Boebert and Salazar after their breaks with him, days before midterms
Trump gave a 'Complete and Total Endorsement' to Rep. Lauren Boebert, whom he had called 'dumb.' He also kept his backing for Rep. María Elvira Salazar. Both races have moved toward Democrats, and the pattern shows how he treats GOP critics when seats are at stake.
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President Donald Trump has endorsed several Republicans who publicly broke with him, putting party unity first as the GOP tries to keep Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections, Newsweek reported Sunday 1.
Boebert: from 'dumb' to 'Complete and Total Endorsement'
On Friday, Trump posted that Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado has his "Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election" 12. He called her "a MAGA Warrior, who has been with us from the very beginning" 2. He also held a phone "tele-rally" with her on Oct. 30, four days before Colorado's ballot deadline 2.
That is a reversal. Earlier this year Trump called Boebert "dumb" and threatened to pull his support after she campaigned for Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky 1. Massie had been a leading critic of the administration's handling of Epstein-related records. Massie lost his reelection bid 1.
Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan race rater, moved Boebert's 4th District from "Solid Republican" to "Lean Republican" as of Oct. 23 1. Her Democratic opponent is Eileen Launcher 2.
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Salazar and Hinson also keep their footing
In Florida, Rep. María Elvira Salazar kept Trump's endorsement after criticizing his immigration policies 1. In an ad, she said that "The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today." 1
Trump answered that she "got a little bit soft on the border." He did not revoke his endorsement 1. Cook rated her 27th District Lean Republican on Sept. 25, down from Likely Republican 1.
In Iowa, Senate nominee Ashley Hinson has also split with Trump. She called for the Iran war to end and called his diesel deal with Moscow a bad idea 1. Trump endorsed her in September. Cook lists the open seat, now held by retiring Sen. Joni Ernst, as a toss-up 1.
What is at stake Tuesday
Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority and are defending 22 of the 35 seats up this year 1. To win control, Democrats must hold all 13 of their seats and flip four Republican ones 1. Newsweek says Trump's approval is at record lows, driven by prices and gas costs during the Iran war 1.
That matters because Trump has shown he will drop a feud when he needs the votes. The pattern is that criticism of him is forgiven when a seat is in danger. Republicans who stay loyal may not get the same treatment after Tuesday. Newsweek said it reached out to the White House, Boebert, Hinson and Salazar for comment 1.
If Democrats win the House, they could block GOP bills and use committees to investigate and subpoena the administration 1. A Democratic Senate could make it harder for Trump to confirm judges and Cabinet officers 1. Trump could still veto any bill, and Democrats would need two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override him 1.
The Record
- Ashley Hinson won the Iowa Republican Senate primary with 74 percent of the vote 1.
- Cook Political Report moved Florida's 27th District to Lean Republican 1.
- Cook moved Colorado's 4th District from Solid Republican to Lean Republican 1.
- Trump held a tele-rally with Boebert and posted his 'Complete and Total Endorsement' 2.
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Sources
- Newsweek, “Trump Backs Republicans Who Broke With Him as Midterms Loom” (2026-11-01). newsweek.com/trump-backs-republicans-who-broke-with-him-as-m
- Colorado Times Recorder, “Trump Re-Endorses Boebert Via Campaign 'Tele-Rally'” (2026-10-30). coloradotimesrecorder.com/2026/10/trump-re-endorses-boebert-
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