Trump reportedly expected to endorse J.D. Vance in Ohio Senate race


Former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to endorse Senate candidate J.D. Vance in the crowded and contentious Ohio primary race, NBC News reports.
According to three individuals familiar with the matter, Trump has, in recent days, begun calling "donors and advisers" to get their opinion on a Vance endorsement, but "intense pressure" from other GOP campaigns has kept him at bay, NBC News writes.
For example, Republican candidate Josh Mandel's campaign reportedly "hit the roof" upon hearing the news of Trump's expected decisions.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump is also concerned, however, he might "waste his endorsement" on Vance, who is running in about third place, NBC News writes. But those who've spoken to him or his advisers recently say the ex-president nonetheless sees a lot of potential for growth in the Hillbilly Elegy author.
Trump's support also wouldn't be the first high-profile endorsement for Vance. In January, staunch Trump devotee and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) gave the candidate her seal of approval.
Of course, "Trump can always change his mind," a source told NBC News. "Nothing is final until it's final."
But the former president "already kicked the tires on everyone and he's ready to go with Vance. It's either Vance or nobody. And it's only nobody if somehow the other campaigns can get him to hold off," the source said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
June 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include Donald's 30 dolls, a Flag Day fail and a MAGA Mayflower
-
5 jackbooted cartoons about L.A.'s anti-ICE protests
Cartoons Artists take on National Guard deployment, the failure of due process, and more
-
Some of the best music and singing holidays in 2025
The Week Recommends From singing lessons in the Peak District to two-week courses at Chetham's Piano Summer School
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
'Postal commemoration is especially befitting'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Is Trump's military parade 'just a parade'?
Talking Point Critics see an 'echo of authoritarianism'
-
Wall Street has coined a new term for Trump's tariff threats
Feature TACO stands for 'Trump Always Chickens Out'
-
Trump's LA immigration showdown casts shadow over upcoming World Cup
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Amid a massive anti-immigrant detention push, analysts have begun to worry about the United States' plan to host one of the world's biggest athletic events
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Why is ABC's firing of Terry Moran roiling journalists?
Today's Big Question After the network dropped a longtime broadcaster for calling Donald Trump and Stephen Miller 'world-class' haters, some journalists are calling the move chilling
-
'The attack doesn't need to be so blunt'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day