In an interview on Monday, Former President Donald Trump made a false claim, stating that he did not endorse Senator James Lankford for re-election in 2022.
Clarifying his stance, Trump asserted, “Just to correct the record, I did not endorse Sen. Lankford. I didn’t do it. He ran, and I did not endorse him,” during an interview with right-wing radio host Dan Bongino. This assertion contradicts Trump’s earlier endorsement of Lankford in a statement dated September 27, 2022, where he gave Lankford his “Complete and Total Endorsement!”
In the statement, Trump praised Lankford, emphasizing their alignment on key issues and Lankford’s dedication to Oklahoma and national interests. Trump specifically highlighted Lankford’s stance on border security, labeling him as “Strong on the Border, Tough on Crime, and Very Smart on the Economy.”
James Lankford (Credits: Rolling Stone)
Trump’s recent denial of endorsing Lankford coincides with Lankford’s involvement in bipartisan negotiations regarding a border security bill in Congress, a bill that Trump opposes.
This legislation seeks to address the surge in border crossings through various measures, including reforms to the overwhelmed asylum system and provisions for international aid to countries like Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
Trump has urged Republicans to reject the bill, arguing that it would benefit Democrats and President Biden. In his interview, Trump criticized Lankford’s support for the bill, suggesting it could harm Lankford’s standing in Oklahoma.
Expressing concern, Trump remarked, “This is a very bad bill for his career and especially in Oklahoma. I know those people. They’re great people. They’re not going to be happy about this.”
It’s worth noting that Senator Lankford’s next re-election bid is not until 2028. He previously served in the House from 2011 to 2015 before transitioning to the Senate in 2015.
