Trump endorses Tim Sheehy in Montana Senate race over Rep Matt Rosendale

The endorsement sets the stage for a MAGA showdown as Congressman Matt Rosendale announced on Friday that he will also be running for the Senate seat to challenge incumbent Democrat Jon Tester. Rosendale currently serves in the House of Representatives and received a Trump endorsement in the past.

Donald Trump, the GOP frontrunner in the 2024 presidential election, announced the endorsement on Truth Social, claiming that Sheehy is the candidate best positioned to defeat "lazy" senator Jon Tester.

"Tim Sheehy is an American Hero and highly successful Businessman from the Great State of Montana. He is strongly supported by our incredible Chairman of the NRSC, Steve Daines, and many other patriotic Senators and Republicans who have endorsed our Campaign to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!," wrote Trump.

"I also respect Matt Rosendale, and was very happy to Endorse him in the past - and will Endorse him again in the future should he decide to change course and run for his Congressional Seat. But in this instance, Tim is the candidate who is currently best-positioned to DEFEAT Lazy Jon Tester, and Regain the Republican Majority in the United States Senate," continued Trump.

"Tim is a Political Outsider, Strong on the Border, the Military/Vets, and our constantly under siege Second Amendment. He will stand tall in the fight against the Radical Left Democrats, who are Destroying our Country. Also, he is far more likely to Defeat Lazy Jon. America First Patriot Tim Sheehy has my Complete and Total Endorsement!" said Trump.

While Trump stated in the post that he would endorse Congressman Rosendale if he decided to run, the former president released the endorsement for Sheehy after Rosendale launched his bid for Senate.

The Montana Senate race has already sparked split endorsements from Republican members of Congress.

Rep. Rosendale, who voted to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and is considered among the most "MAGA" members of Congress, received an endorsement from Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, the staunchest proponent of the MAGA movement. However, Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene of Georgia has endorsed Tim Sheehy.

In his campaign video published to X on Friday, Rosendale took aim at his opponent Tim Sheehy, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"This Republican primary race is the people of Montana versus Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden and the Washington insiders," said Rosendale. "Mitch McConnell knows that I won’t support him for Republican leader, so he’s trying to keep me out of the Senate."

Rosendale went on to brag about his record in supporting Donald Trump and how he voted against certifying the 2020 US Presidential Election. He also called out Sheehy for donating to Nikki Haley's campaign.

It's unclear why Donald Trump decided to endorse Sheehy over Rosendale, but it's worth mentioning that Rosendale found himself at the center of controversy last month when he was reportedly involved in terminating one of Trump's biggest allies, Alex Bruesewitz, from speaking at the Montana GOP convention.

On Friday, Bruesewitz praised Trump for endorsing Sheehy over Rosendale, the latter of which he referred to as a "fake MAGA candidate."

"Don't mess with MAGA," wrote Bruesewitz on X.