As he tends to do, President Donald Trump politicized another military celebration as he spoke at a major Navy event in Virginia, pushing the candidacies of several Republicans. Absent from Trump’s remarks, however, was the name of Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running for governor. The political slight is notable against a candidate who once led Trump’s efforts to mobilize Black voters.
Trump snubs Black MAGA candidate who broke with him
CNN reported that Trump did not mention Earle-Sears, who is running for Virginia’s highest office, when he spoke at an event marking the 250th anniversary of the Navy. The omission was noteworthy because Trump took time during his remarks to highlight other Republicans who served in the Navy, such as Reps. Jen Kiggans, John McGuire and Rob Wittman, but didn’t acknowledge Earle-Sears, who served as a Marine. Earlier that day, Trump endorsed Republican Jason Miyares in his reelection campaign for Virginia attorney general. Trump even used the Navy event to take shots at Earle-Sears’ Democratic opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, but he continued to decline to endorse Earle-Sears.
The continued snub against Earle-Sears may reflect a complicated political relationship between the two politicians. Earle-Sears was a strong Trump backer in 2020, chairing Black Americans to Reelect Trump. In 2021, she was elected lieutenant governor of Virginia — the first Black woman to hold statewide office in Virginia — on a ticket with conservative Glenn Youngkin. However, she initially opposed Trump’s 2024 run. In 2022, after Republicans performed poorly in the midterm election, Earle-Sears told Fox News, “A true leader understands when they have become a liability” and urged Republicans to “move on.” Trump, in turn, posted on social media that he “never felt good about Winsome Sears,” calling her “a phony.” However, she reversed her position and endorsed Trump in 2024. After Trump ran and won, Earle-Sears visited him in the White House earlier this year, but attempts to mend fences with the president didn’t result in his endorsement.
Source: Trump Ignores MAGA Black Woman Running For Governor Of Virginia
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