Trump U-turns on former MAGA ally Greg Abbott with dizzying speed after his election loss became clear

Trump U-turns on former MAGA ally Greg Abbott with dizzying speed after his election loss became clear Democrats have boasted about turning ruby red Texas blue with their pick for governor and senator beating Republican opponents - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in President Donald Trump made a dizzying U-turn in his support of MAGA ally Greg Abbott after he lost his reelection bid for Texas governor. As voters were heading to the polls Tuesday morning, Trump gushed over the “strong and highly respected” Republican. The president spoke about Abbott “fighting tirelessly to Champion Texas Values,” and listed a platform that seemed aligned with his national agenda, such as keeping the southern border secure and cutting taxes and regulations. “Greg Abbott has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election. He is an exceptional Governor and man. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR GREG — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. But then the votes came in. Democrat Gina Hinojosa beat Abbott, 52.8 to 45.7 percent, according to results updated by the Associated Press Wednesday evening. Hinojosa will be the first Democrat to be sworn in as governor of Texas in more than 30 years and the first Latina in state history. Shortly after the AP called the race late Tuesday night, Trump turned against Abbott, whom he was praising just hours before. “If Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, hadn’t become a RINO [Republican In Name Only] in the last six months of his Political Life, he wouldn’t have lost. He went back to his original formula, and it wasn’t pretty!” the president wrote on Truth Social. During his concession speech, Abbott said he had called Hinojosa to congratulate her. “There are still votes to be counted, but mathematically we’re not going to be able to win this election,” Abbott told his supporters. “I let Gina know that I would assist her and her team in a period of transition. “But I also want everybody to know that the thing that I’m most proud about is that you all helped me to be your governor for 12 years. Thank you very much.” James Talarico also beat Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in their Senate race, adding to remarkable wins by Democrats in the ruby red state. Other Democrats, including Roy Cooper in North Carolina, Annie Andrews in South Carolina, Josh Turek in Iowa, Adam Hamilton in Kansas and Sherrod Brown in Ohio, won key Senate races. The party is now poised to take control of the Senate as well as the House in what people are calling a blue tsunami. Trump is coping with his party’s brutal election losses by shifting the blame onto other Republicans, despite telling his supporters to pretend that he’s on the ballot, and trying to deflect by focusing on his unpopular White House renovations. In his first public appearance since the crushing defeat, Trump stood on the floor of his under-construction, multi-million-dollar ballroom in the demolished East Wing. “This is the safest place in Washington,” Trump said. “It’s good for me. It’s relaxing.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] USA OF THE GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT