Trump Endorses Rick Brattin for Missouri’s 5th Congressional District

Trump backs state Senator Rick Brattin for Missouri's 5th Congressional District, citing his Marine Corps service and support from Governor Mike Kehoe and three sitting congressmen.

First Published: August 3, 2026, 2:41 PM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump endorsed Rick Brattin, a Missouri state senator and Marine Corps veteran, for the state’s 5th Congressional District.

Trump called Brattin a “MAGA Warrior” and said the candidate carries the backing of Governor Mike Kehoe and Congressmen Jason Smith, Bob Onder, and Eric Burlison. The endorsement arrived in a post published on truthsocial.

“Rick Brattin has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Missouri’s 5th Congressional District — RICK WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump said in the post.

The endorsement lands in a district anchored around Kansas City, where the open-seat race has drawn a competitive Republican field seeking Trump’s blessing ahead of the primary.

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “It is my Great Honor to endorse MAGA Warrior, Rick Brattin, who is running to represent the wonderful people of Missouri’s 5th Congressional District! Rick is strongly supported by many of the greatest America First Patriots in Missouri, including Governor Mike Kehoe, and Congressmen Jason Smith, Bob Onder, and Eric Burlison, among others! From bravely fighting for the U.S. Marine Corps, to strongly representing his community as a State Senator, Rick has served his State and Nation with great distinction, and will bring that same Fighting Spirit to the U.S. Congress. Everywhere Rick Brattin has gone, he has been respected! As your next Congressman, Rick will work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Incredible Military/Veterans, Safeguard our Elections, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment, which I have flawlessly fought to protect for many years. Rick Brattin has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Missouri’s 5th Congressional District — RICK WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” on August 3, 2026 at 6:28 PM ET.

This is Trump’s 24th message released today, and the last post came moments earlier, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 79 of his 457 posts over the last 30 days classified as Elections posts.

Brattin listed his priorities as growing the economy, cutting taxes and regulations, securing the border, and defending the Second Amendment, according to the endorsement. Trump tied the candidate’s Marine Corps background and tenure in the Missouri Senate to his campaign, framing Brattin as a fighter for the district’s voters.

A presidential endorsement carries weight in Republican primaries, where Trump’s backing has repeatedly reshaped crowded contests. The stakes fall heaviest on rival Republicans in the same field, who lose ground the moment Trump names a favorite. Voters in the 5th District stand to gain a nationally amplified frontrunner heading into the primary.

Trump has endorsed hundreds of candidates across recent cycles, and his picks have often prevailed in Republican primaries while facing tougher tests in general elections. His involvement in Missouri races has drawn attention before, most notably during the 2022 U.S. Senate contest, when he issued an endorsement of “ERIC” without specifying which of two Erics he meant. That episode showed how far candidates go to secure his support in the state.

Has this happened before? This has happened before, and often. Trump routinely issues congressional endorsements through truthsocial, using near-identical language praising loyalty, military service, and America First priorities.

The next decisions rest with Missouri’s Republican primary voters, followed by the general electorate in November 2026. A specific date for the district’s primary has not been announced in this post.

Missouri has served as a proving ground for Trump-aligned candidates before. In the 2022 Senate primary, Eric Schmitt defeated a large field that included former Governor Eric Greitens, winning the nomination with roughly 46 percent of the vote before capturing the general election. That contest showed how a Trump nod, and the fear of one, reshaped an entire slate of contenders and delivered the seat to the endorsed lane.