In a development that has sparked intense backlash from MAGA supporters, Fox News reported on Tuesday that over 200 former Republican staffers, who once worked for George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney, have publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. The report, which highlighted an open letter urging “moderate Republicans and conservative independents” to support Harris, has triggered a wave of anger and accusations of "propaganda" among the pro-Trump faction of the Republican Party.
The story quickly gained traction on social media over the weekend, leading to a fierce reaction from prominent MAGA figures and Trump loyalists. The report was seen as a betrayal by many within the Trump camp, who have long viewed Fox News as a supportive outlet. The endorsement of Harris by figures associated with Bush, McCain, and Romney—each of whom has been criticized by Trump supporters for their perceived moderate stances—only added fuel to the fire.
T.J. Moe, a contributor to The Blaze and a vocal Trump supporter, downplayed the significance of the endorsement, suggesting that it actually bolstered Trump’s standing within the GOP base, which he claimed “hates” the trio of former Republican leaders. This sentiment was echoed by other MAGA-aligned commentators, who dismissed the endorsement as irrelevant and attacked Fox News for giving it airtime.
Ed Dans, a self-identified MAGA enthusiast, took to social media to express his frustration, accusing Fox News of exposing its true colors by airing the story. He specifically called out Paul Ryan, the former Speaker of the House who was appointed to the Fox Corporation Board of Directors in 2019, implying that Ryan’s influence was behind the network's decision to run the piece.
William Mitchelson, a former prosecutor known for promoting GOP talking points, speculated that the staffers who signed the letter were likely bureaucrats who had served in various government roles during the Bush administration or in Congress. He, like many others, sought to minimize the significance of the endorsement, framing it as coming from individuals with little current influence.
Jay Town, another former prosecutor and Trump supporter, ridiculed the list of endorsers as inconsequential, dismissing them as “staffers, secretaries, interns, and volunteers” whose opinions carried little weight. His comments were reflective of a broader effort within the MAGA movement to undermine the credibility of the endorsement and to discredit those who supported Harris.
Chris Barron, president of Right Turn Strategies and a staunch Trump ally, criticized Fox News directly, questioning why the network was even covering the story. Barron suggested that the list of endorsers included individuals of little consequence, including a former Bush intern who later pursued a career in adult entertainment. He labeled the report as “propaganda,” a sentiment that was quickly amplified by Michael Caputo, a former Trump administration official, who shared Barron’s post on social media.
The backlash from MAGA supporters highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party as the 2024 election approaches. With Trump continuing to dominate the GOP base, the endorsement of Harris by former staffers of more moderate Republicans has only served to deepen the rift between the party’s traditional establishment and its pro-Trump faction.