'Bob Good is BAD': Trump slams lawmaker who defended him at trial, endorses opponent

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed State Sen. John McGuire in the Republican primary for Virginia's 5th Congressional District, an apparent snub to incumbent and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good.

Good is one of at least 20 federal Republican lawmakers who have traveled to Manhattan to bash Trump's hush money trial over the last six weeks. McGuire also made a quieter visit to the courthouse the same day.

But Good was previously in hot water with Trump for endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2023. Good came out in support of Trump the day that DeSantis dropped out of the presidential primary.

"Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA, AND BAD FOR THE USA. He turned his back on our incredible movement, and was constantly attacking and fighting me until recently, when he gave a warm and 'loving' Endorsement," Trump said in a Tuesday morning Truth Social post. "John McGuire has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"

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Rep. Bob Good defended Trump in gag- order-get-around press conference at trial

Good stood with other House Freedom Caucus members, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and Rep. Anna Luna, R-Fla., at a May 16 press conference outside the courthouse.

He slammed Judge Juan Merchan, key witness Michael Cohen, and the trial overall. Trump is largely barred from commenting on members of the court, the jury or the witness under a gag order, and the Republican lawmakers showed up day after day parroting his messages on his behalf.

"We're seeing today what lengths the Democrat Party will go to try to rig or steal another election," Good said at the press conference. "We're here because we gotta defend him, because (of) the gag order put on him."

Good was elected to the House in 2020 and elected as House Freedom Caucus Chariman in December 2023.

Who is Trump-endorsed candidate John McGuire?

Virginia State Sen. John McGuire is Good's primary opponent. He is a former Navy Seal and small business founder. He served on Virginia’s House of Delegates starting in 2018 before moving up to the State Senate in 2023.

McGuire also traveled to New York to attend the trial on May 16 along with Good, but did not make any public comments, the Washington Examiner reported.

He has said previously that Good's endorsement for DeSantis was a motivator to enter the congressional race.

Good's campaign did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Tuesday, but McGuire took to X Tuesday morning to thank Trump.

"Thank you President Trump for endorsing my campaign for Congress," McGuire said on X. "Together we will fight for We the People and Save America. We can do better than Good."

The two face off in the primary on June 18.

Contributing: Elizabeth Beyer