April 30, 2024
Former President Donald Trump endorsed several Florida Republicans in Tuesday's upcoming primary including one of his staunchest supporters, Congressman Matt Gaetz.

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Former President Donald Trump endorsed Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz’s reelection campaign on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.

“Rep. Matt Gaetz is a relentless Fighter for the incredible people of Florida’s 1st Congressional District!” Trump posted. “Matt is a Champion of our MAGA Agenda, who tirelessly works to Drain the Swamp, Secure the Border, Support our Brave Veterans and Law Enforcement, Defend the Second Amendment, Stand Up to the Woke Mob, and Fight the Never-Ending Witch Hunts from the Radical Left that are destroying our Country!”

Trump added that Gaetz “puts America First” and “has my Complete and Total Endorsement.”

Voters in Florida will head to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the state’s primary election. Gaetz will be facing off against two GOP primary challengers in his bid to continue representing Florida’s 1st Congressional District: retired military officer Greg Merk and former FedEx executive Mark Lombardo.

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Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., walks down the House steps at the Capitol 

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., walks down the House steps at the Capitol  (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Gaetz, a staunch supporter of Trump, was involved in controversy over an alleged inappropriate interaction with a minor last year following an anonymously sourced New York Times report which he has vociferously denied and no charges were filed.

Gaetz touted his relationship with Trump and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in a recent campaign ad.

“He’s always working and he does indeed fight for all of us,” Trump says about Gaetz in the campaign ad.

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Gaetz, 40, was elected to Congress in 2017 and defeated his Democratic challenger by over 30 points while running for reelection in 2020.

NEWARK, OH - APRIL 30: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks during a campaign rally for J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, at The Trout Club on April 30, 2022 in Newark, Ohio

NEWARK, OH – APRIL 30: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks during a campaign rally for J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, at The Trout Club on April 30, 2022 in Newark, Ohio (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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“President Trump endorsed Congressman Gaetz at his home on April 12th,” a spokesperson for the Gaetz campaign told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement along with a video of Trump endorsing Gaetz. “Congressman Gaetz proudly reposted President Trump’s gracious reminder of that endorsement on Twitter today. He was slightly delayed in doing so as he was waiving signs on the side of the road in Crestview, Florida.”

Trump also endorsed Florida Republican Reps. Neal Dunn, Scott Franklin and John Rutherford on Saturday.