Republican candidates in races nationwide are trying their best to associate themselves with former President Donald Trump in order to ride his coattails to victory on Election Day.
That apparently even applies to long-time Democratic voter John Rust, who’s running for U.S. Senate in Indiana as a Republican against Rep. Jim Banks, an actual Republican.
I proudly voted for President Trump in 2016 and 2020. In 2024 I’ll proudly vote for President Donald Trump once again. pic.twitter.com/z7Q1cOYGif
— John Rust (@JohnRust_IN) January 22, 2024
Rust’s repeated use of Trump’s image in his campaign ads is notable for one important reason, as Breitbart pointed out:
The irony here is, of course, Trump has not endorsed Rust. Trump has in fact endorsed Banks, the former chairman of the very conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) in the House of Representatives and a longtime ally of Trump in Congress.
A Trump campaign spokesman, asked by Breitbart News for a response to Rust’s ad, said he should “cease and desist” using any likeness of Trump in any of his campaign ads and reiterated Trump’s endorsement of Banks for Senate.
“President Trump’s friend, Jim Banks, is the only candidate in this race endorsed by President Trump,” the Trump campaign spokesman told Breitbart News. “Any other candidate using President Trump’s name, image, or likeness to purposely deceive voters must immediately cease and desist. President Trump looks forward to working with a future Senator Banks in 2025 to accomplish incredible things for the Great State of Indiana and our country.”
Of course, it appears that Rust needs all the help he can get.
Soros money being used to get longtime Democrat John Rust on the ballot in Republican primary against me in Indiana too. Hoosiers see it for what it is. https://t.co/UTpYaUDmWb
— Jim Banks (@Jim_Banks) January 28, 2024
Democrat John Rust has no support from real Hoosiers. https://t.co/HIXYLmcSY3
— Mike Neal (@MikeNealIN) February 1, 2024
America doesn’t want or need another Republican CROOK in Congress and Indiana Senate candidate John Rust has already proven that fattening HIS POCKETS at your expense comes first! pic.twitter.com/fz2jl40kVI
— Brooklyn Flowers (@BrooklynFlowe15) November 24, 2023
Soros is meddling in GOP elections because he knows Dems are screwed in 2024.
In this case, he’s funding a deranged never Trumper named John Rust, against MAGA leader @Jim_Banks!
Indiana won’t be fooled by Soros tricks.
Jim Banks for Senate! https://t.co/tPPKuVn9ud
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) January 19, 2024
Here’s what Trump had to say about Banks roughly a year ago, per the Indy Star:
In his endorsement, Trump said Banks would be strong on the border, crime and the military and fight for low taxes and regulations, as well as “sanity in government and our under siege 2nd Amendment.”
“I know Jim well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and WIN!” he said.
Let’s take a look at why candidates are so eager to get that Trump bump:
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