Republican Candidate Stripped Trump Endorsement From Website, Faces Community Note Backlash
Rep. Byron Donalds removed Trump endorsement from site, sparks backlash and community note on X.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A Republican gubernatorial candidate in Florida has faced criticism after removing references to President Donald Trump from his campaign website, prompting a community note on social media.
Rep. Byron Donalds, who previously aligned closely with Trump and the MAGA movement, posted on X that he was proud of the president’s endorsement. He criticized media outlets for focusing on the removal of the endorsement rather than his policy proposals aimed at reducing costs for Floridians.
The community note highlighted that the endorsement had been removed from the campaign site, including on donation buttons, banners, and other widgets, before reappearing after news outlets reported the change. The site also once featured a photo of Donalds and his wife with Trump.
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Donalds is running against Democratic candidate David Jolly in a tight race in Florida, where the political landscape has shifted due to Trump’s declining favorability and ongoing issues like the war in Iran. Recent polls show the race is nearly tied, reflecting broader challenges for conservative candidates in key states.
After the August primary, multiple mentions of Trump’s endorsement were removed from the website, though they still appear on an endorsements page. A campaign spokesperson stated that the focus remains on policies addressing affordability and transparency for Floridians.
Trump’s approval rating continues to struggle, with recent polls showing strong opposition to his foreign policy. Donalds’ decision to downplay the endorsement comes as his party faces internal challenges, particularly in a state where Trump’s influence remains significant.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)