Trump Claims He’s Staying Out Of Virginia Politics – But What He Just Said On His Plane Suggests Otherwise

President Donald Trump keeps saying he’s not getting involved in Virginia’s race for governor, but his recent comments are making people wonder if he’s actually supporting Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears.

Trump has given a big endorsement to Attorney General Jason Miyares for his reelection, but he hasn’t done the same for Earle-Sears or lieutenant governor candidate John Reid. Still, he has said nice things about Earle-Sears that some people think shows he backs her.

This week, while talking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump praised the Republican candidate but didn’t give her a full endorsement. “I haven’t been too much involved in Virginia. I love the state; I did very well in the state,” he said, according to Fox News. “I think the Republican candidate is very good, and she should win because the Democrat candidate is a disaster.”

Those Airplane Comments Tell A Different Story

Trump’s mixed messages have left people confused about where he really stands on the Virginia race. At a recent White House event with outgoing Governor Glenn Youngkin, Trump seemed to be talking about Earle-Sears when he said Youngkin “wants to see that young woman win.” He then added, “And the attorney general who I endorsed.”

Trump’s strong support for Miyares came after the Jay Jones scandal broke out. He told the Norfolk Democrat to drop out right away and praised Miyares as someone who “will never let you down.” Trump gave Miyares his “complete and total endorsement.” The president has been speaking out about different political topics lately, including his unexpected Star Wars reference during a shutdown speech.

On the other hand, lieutenant governor candidate John Reid has made it clear he’s running his own race. When asked in June about winning over moderate voters, Reid said that he’s focused on Virginia, not Trump. “Donald Trump’s in D.C. John Reid’s in Richmond, and I’m looking to help Virginia,” Reid said.

For her part, Earle-Sears says Trump has been helpful to her campaign. “I am deeply grateful for President Trump’s support and his direct encouragement to voters in Virginia to vote Republican,” she said. She added that she looks forward to working with Trump as governor on things like public safety and energy costs.

Some people point to how Youngkin won his own race in 2021 by keeping Trump at arm’s length while running against Terry McAuliffe. Youngkin talked about issues like parents’ rights in northern Virginia to win over voters who might not support Trump, while pushing more conservative ideas in the southern parts of the state where Trump was popular. 

This plan helped him win in a state that’s split pretty evenly between Democrats and Republicans. In the meantime, Trump has also been in the news for his plan to send the National Guard to San Francisco, which has people asking questions about when the federal government should get involved in state issues.