Trump praises Billy Long, but says it’s not an endorsement of his Senate campaign
Former President Donald Trump praised Rep. Billy Long on Wednesday — but said his comments weren’t an endorsement in Missouri’s U.S. Senate race — two days after former Gov. Eric Greitens’s ex-wife accused him of domestic violence.
“Have the great people of Missouri been considering the big, loud, and proud personality of Congressman Billy Long for the Senate?” Trump said in a statement. “Do they appreciate what they have in him, a warrior and the first major political leader to say, “You better get on the Trump Train, it’s leaving the station.” That was before I even announced I was running for President.”
He concluded by saying his comments were “not an Endorsement, but I’m just askin’?”
The statement comes comes as the Republican candidates to replace retiring Sen. Roy Blunt are all seeking the support of the former president, whose backing could prove decisive in the crowded primary field.
The comments also go to a central theme of Long’s campaign: that he was an early Trump supporter. At events, Long has recounted standing by Trump even in the aftermath of the release of the Access Hollywood tape, one of Trump’s lowest political moments.
“I don’t know exactly what to make of the statement,” Long told The Star. “Maybe he’s working through the process of elimination.”
Long said Wednesday he spoke with Trump by phone last night and again today while he was walking through a Walmart in Springfield, Mo. He said they talked about the race and Long made his case about why he was worthy of the endorsement.
“I told him last night, I don’t know if you’re going to endorse or not, but if you do, I’ve been with you the whole time.”
He has been open that his prospects hinge on Trump’s endorsement.
In February, Sen. Josh Hawley endorsed Rep. Vicky Hartzler, spurring a furious reaction from Long. He accused Hawley of lying to him about his plans to endorse Hartzler (Hawley said Long couldn’t take bad news).
Trump’s comments are the latest twist in the ongoing effort to discern where the president stands on Missouri’s Senate race. In early March, Politico reported Greitens was rising in Trump’s eyes. On Feb. 28, Trump’s Save America PAC tweeted out an op-ed by Greitens.
The former governor has been aggressive in voicing his opposition to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, pleasing Trump.
But Greitens faces new allegations of domestic violence made in an affidavit filed Monday by former Missouri first lady Sheena Greitens. She alleges Greitens struck their 3-year-old child, took away her cell phone and knocked her down – and threatened her to keep her silent.
Greitens resigned in 2018 after he was accused of sexually violent and non-consensual behavior involving a woman he was having an affair with. The Senate candidacy represents an attempt at a political comeback.
Greitens’ Republican and Democratic opponents have called on him to drop out in the wake of the new allegations, which Greitens denies.
This story was originally published March 23, 2022 at 5:29 PM.
