POLITICS

Three more Trump-endorsed candidates lose their primaries

PUBLISHED Aug 19, 2026, 4:40 PM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 20

Center 100%

Sources: 20

President Donald Trump's endorsement record took a significant hit Tuesday night as three of his endorsed candidates lost their Republican primary elections . In Florida, scandal-plagued Rep. Cory Mills lost to Ryan Elijah in the 7th District, while Catalina Lauf fell to Jim Schwartzel in the 19th District . In Wyoming, Trump-backed Megan Degenfelder lost the gubernatorial primary to state Sen. Eric Barlow . The losses bring this cycle's total to 10 defeated Trump-endorsed candidates, matching the combined total from the 2018, 2020, and 2024 cycles . Trump responded by distancing himself from Mills, claiming he had urged the congressman "to get out of the Race" . Despite the setbacks, Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds won Florida's gubernatorial primary, demonstrating the president's support remains valuable though not universally decisive .

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On Feb 2026: Trump endorsed Rep. Cory Mills for Florida reelection .
· On Aug 8-15: Florida early voting occurred before some Trump endorsements took effect .
· On Aug 18 2026: Rep. Cory Mills lost Florida's 7th District primary .
· On Aug 18 2026: Catalina Lauf lost Florida's 19th District GOP primary .
· On Aug 18 2026: Megan Degenfelder lost Wyoming's gubernatorial primary .
· On Aug 18 2026: Byron Donalds won Florida's GOP gubernatorial primary .
· On Aug 19 2026: Trump claimed on Truth Social he told Mills to withdraw .
· On Aug 2026: Ten Trump-endorsed candidates have lost this primary cycle .
· On late Aug 2026: South Carolina Senate runoff tests Trump endorsement next .
· On Nov 2026: General elections will determine ultimate political impact of primary losses .

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Trump's kingmaker reputation weakened by three simultaneous primary losses.
Long-term US impact: Signals potential limits of presidential influence in Republican primaries.
Affected groups: Florida 7th/19th District voters, Wyoming Republicans, GOP congressional candidates.
Reader prioritisation: Watch for Trump's response patterns and upcoming South Carolina runoff results.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 20
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 20

Explain Framing

Left: Highlights Trump's weakening influence and candidate scandals damaging his record. Center: Reports endorsement losses with balanced context of overall record and victories. Right: Emphasizes Trump's strong overall record while downplaying significance of defeats.