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

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

First Published: August 3, 2026, 2:35 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 pledged his “Complete and Total Endorsement” in a post on Truth Social. The nod leans on backing from Missouri’s Republican establishment, including the governor and three sitting members of Congress.

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 6:23 PM ET.

This is Trump’s 20th message released today, and the last post was 3 minutes ago, 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 75 of his 453 posts over the last 30 days classified as Elections posts.

Trump listed a policy platform for Brattin that mirrors his own priorities. He tied the candidate to plans to grow the economy, cut taxes, secure the border and defend gun rights. The post named Governor Mike Kehoe, Representative Jason Smith, Representative Bob Onder and Representative Eric Burlison as Brattin’s supporters. Trump described Brattin’s record in the Marine Corps and the Missouri Senate as service marked by distinction.

A presidential endorsement in a Republican primary carries weight in a state Trump won by wide margins. The nod benefits Brattin by signaling to grassroots voters and donors that he holds the frontrunner’s blessing. Rival candidates lose the ability to claim the same national backing. Missouri’s 5th District, anchored in the Kansas City area, has sent Democrat Emanuel Cleaver to Washington, making the Republican contest a bid to flip a long-held seat.

Trump has spent much of the past month issuing endorsements and wading into House races. The endorsement follows a similar move days earlier that drew a backlash from parts of his base. Trump endorsed Amir Hassan for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, prompting racist replies on truthsocial from supporters over the candidate’s name according to newrepublic.com. Hassan, a Navy veteran born and raised in Flint, Michigan, calls himself an America First Republican according to newrepublic.com.

For the average reader, the endorsement is an early marker in a midterm cycle that will decide control of the House. The winner of Missouri’s 5th District would help set the balance of power on taxes, spending and border policy. Voters in the Kansas City region will weigh Trump’s word against local records when they cast primary ballots.

This has happened before, and often. Trump has shaped Republican primaries through endorsements since 2016. His backing has lifted little-known candidates past better-funded rivals in past cycles. The pattern also carries risk, as several Trump-backed nominees lost winnable general elections in 2022.

The next decision rests with Missouri’s Republican primary voters, followed by the general electorate in the district. A date for the primary in this race has not been announced.

Endorsement politics have long defined American campaigns, as this contest shows again. Andrew Jackson’s blessing helped install Martin Van Buren as his successor in the 1836 election, cementing a tradition of presidents anointing heirs. Theodore Roosevelt handpicked William Howard Taft in 1908, only to break with him and split the party four years later. The lesson from those fights is that a president’s word can lift a candidate to office, yet the bond rarely survives the pressures of governing.