Matt Gaetz breaks from Donald Trump with Bob Good endorsement

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on Tuesday endorsed House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.), who is facing a challenger backed by President Trump in a closely watched primary this month.

“Vote for @RepBobGood,” Gaetz said. Written on social platform X Late Tuesday night, he reposted another statement from the X account claiming to speak on behalf of all “MAGA” voters.

“I speak for all of MAGA in saying we don’t want any more McCarthy operatives in Congress. We want one of the best Congressmen serving the people in that damn swamp, Bob Goode,” the statement reposted by Gaetz read.

By endorsing Goode, Gaetz is breaking with former President Trump, who has railed against the conservative incumbent, accusing him of disloyalty.

Goode initially supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) presidential bid, making him one of the few Republicans to back a candidate other than Trump in the race, but after DeSantis ended his campaign, Goode quickly endorsed Trump, vowing to work to elect the former president to another term in the White House.

Trump last week endorsed Goode’s Republican opponent, Virginia Sen. John Maguire, saying the incumbent’s endorsement was “too late.”

“Bob Goode is bad for Virginia and bad for America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last week. “He turned his back on our great movement and has continued to attack and fight me until recently expressing his warm and ‘loving’ support. But the reality is, it’s too late now. The damage has already been done!”

“I just want to Make America Great Again and no one can help me do that better than a Navy SEAL, highly respected state legislator and true American hero, John Maguire,” he added.

Goode has been careful not to criticize the former president, and attended the New York trial with other aides. But Trump has not welcomed Goode back. Earlier this week, the Trump campaign sent Goode, a Virginia senator, a cease and desist letter ordering him to stop producing yard signs and other merchandise that suggest Trump supports the sitting president.

Gaetz has previously allied with Goode when at odds with much of his party, and after Gaetz introduced a removal motion against then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Goode voted with Gaetz, six other Republicans and all House Democrats to remove McCarthy from power.