A controversial bipartisan border deal that took months to negotiate faces a likely defeat during a key vote later this week. Former President Donald Trump has criticized both the deal and Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, who led negotiations on the bill for the GOP.
“Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill,” Trump said on Truth Social in response to the $118 million package, which would provide funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan as well as take measures to shore up the southern border. “This Bill is a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party. It takes the HORRIBLE JOB the Democrats have done on Immigration and the Border, absolves them, and puts it all squarely on the shoulders of Republicans.”
Right-wing media figure Dan Bongino asked Trump in a recent radio interview about his previous support and endorsement of Lankford. In response, Trump denied having ever endorsed Lankford. “Just to correct the record, I did not endorse Sen. Lankford. I didn’t do it. He ran, and I did not endorse him,” Trump said.
But Trump did endorse Lankford in his most recent campaign in a press release issued September 27, 2022:
James was strongly committed to America First, and everything it stood for, and likewise strongly committed to me, as President. Sometimes we didn’t exactly agree on everything, but we do now. He is a very good man with a fabulous wife and family, loves the great State of Oklahoma, and is working very hard on trying to Save our Country from the disaster that it is in.
Not only did Trump endorse Lankford, he also praised his immigration credentials. “James Lankford is Strong on the Border, Tough on Crime, and Very Smart of the Economy,” the statement said. “He is fighting to Stop Inflation, Defend our under siege Second Amendment, and Restore American Energy Independence.”
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