Trump throws 'friend' under the bus after humiliating home state defeat

In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump lamented the fact that embattled Rep. Cory Mills didn't drop out of a congressional race. But his message is getting a biting rebuke from journalists and political observers.

Trump, on social media, wrote, "I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race. But he wouldn't listen. He thought he could win. So who can blame him?"

Despite an array of disturbing allegations against him, Mills stayed in the race. But in the end, he lost a GOP congressional primary. And Trump congratulated and endorse the winner, Ryan Elijah.

Dupree is slamming Trump's post as too little too late.

In a Wednesday post on X, formerly Twitter, Dupree wrote, "Trump could have publicly rallied his party against a Florida GOP lawmaker who had a restraining order against him — but chose not to. Instead, it was a couple of backbenchers in Congress who helped drive Mills out."

Dupree took issue with Trump's tone, implying that Trump, as president of the U.S., could have done a lot more to get Mills out of the race in light of the disturbing allegations against him.

The MAGA congressman was facing a variety of disturbing allegations, including sexual misconduct and dating violence as well as financial crimes. But Trump, according to his post, was unable to persuade Mills to drop out of the race.

Other political observers noted the historic loss marked by MIlls' defeat.

"With Cory Mills defeat, this year had the highest number of incumbents lose their primary of any non-redistricting year since 1970," writer Ryan James Girdusky posted on X.

Veteran Ryan Shead put it more succinctly: "Corey Mills needs a job."