Donald Trump blows up Alabama’s Senate race by unendorsing Mo Brooks

Former President Donald Trump has withdrawn his endorsement of Republican United States Senate candidate Mo Brooks, who was the first lawmaker on Capitol Hill to object to certifying President Joe Biden's Electoral College victory in the 2020 election.

"Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass. Now our ancestors sacrificed their blood, their sweat, their tears, their fortunes, and sometimes their lives to give us, their descendants, an America that is the greatest nation in world history. So I have a question for you, are you willing to do the same? My answer is yes. Louder! Are you willing to do what it takes to fight for America?" Brooks said in an address at the Stop the Steal rally that preceded the January 6th Capitol insurrection.

Over the last few weeks, however, a rift has opened between Trump and the Alabama Congressman. Brooks no longer wants to relitigate the contest while Trump has been insisting that Brooks continue to explore ways to reinstall him into the presidency.

In a last-ditch effort to remain in Trump's favor, the Brooks campaign on Monday released an ad pledging to oust Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) – whom Trump views as a 'Republican in Name Only' political enemy – from his legislative leadership role.

“Today, I unveil my pledge to America to fire Mitch McConnell. America can’t afford a Senate leader who is a weak-kneed, debt junkie, open-border RINO Republican, and who, worse yet, sells out America for special interest group cash,” Brooks said.

Unfortunately for Brooks, the gambit failed. On Wednesday, Trump, who views Brooks' refusal to peddle his Big Lie as a personal betrayal, abandoned his erstwhile ally to fend for himself.

"When I endorsed Mo Brooks, he took a 44-point lead and was unstoppable. He then hired a new campaign staff who 'brilliantly' convinced him to 'stop talking about the 2020 Election,'" Trump said in a statement. "Very sad but, since he decided to go in another direction, so have I, and I am hereby withdrawing my Endorsement of Mo Brooks for the Senate. I don’t think the great people of Alabama will disagree with me. Election Fraud must be captured and stopped, or we won’t have a Country anymore."

Brooks, meanwhile, will press on with his bid to replace retiring GOP Senator Richard Shelby in the November midterms. But first, he will have to defeat two right-wing challengers – businesswoman Katie Britt and author Mike Durant – in Alabama's May 24th Republican primary. Without the backing of Trump, though, Brooks is on his own.