FACT CHECK: Mo Brooks Says He Endorsed Donald Trump When He Never Did
CLAIM:
The Brooks campaign issued a press release today stating:
“Mo Brooks endorsed President Trump once he was the GOP nominee.”
FACT:
Mo Brooks Never Endorsed Donald Trump, Calling Him Evil Days Before the General Election
After Ted Cruz dropped out making Donald Trump the presumptive Republican nominee, Brooks told AL.com he would be sticking to his position to not endorse Trump, citing concerns with Trump’s character and changing policy positions. “Brooks told AL.com he would be sticking to his position in late February of not be publicly endorsing Trump because he was concerned about the real estate mogul’s character and changing policy positions. ‘I am voting for the Republicans on the ballot,’ he said in a text message. ‘Otherwise, my focus is on minimizing GOP losses in the House and Senate.’” (Howard Koplowitz, “State’s politicians start to follow Sessions’ lead in supporting Trump,” AL.com, 5/5/16)
Weeks before the election, Brooks repeatedly refused to say if he was going to vote for Trump, or whether Trump was a Republican:
AUDIO: October 11, 2016, Alabama radio host Dale Jackson asked if Brooks was going to vote for Donald Trump, and Brooks said “I didn’t say that.” DALE JACKSON: If you’re gonna vote for every Republican candidate, that means you’re gonna vote for Donald Trump?” BROOKS: “I didn’t say that. I said I’m gonna vote for a Republican that is on the ballot.” JACKSON: “Is the implication that’s Donald Trump’s not a Republican?” BROOKS: “Well, everybody has to make up their own minds about that.” (WVNN’s, “The Dale Jackson Show,” 10/11/16)
In November 2016, just days before the election, Brooks said he didn’t consider either candidate well-suited for office and that choosing between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton was deciding between “the lesser of the two evils.” “Brooks said he considers neither presidential candidate to be well-suited for the office, and added that choosing between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump is a difficult decision for many American voters. ‘You have to decide who is the lesser of the two evils, and then vote accordingly,’ he said.” (Lexi Kadis, “Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks Talks Presidential Election, Advice For Duke Students,” The Chronicle, 11/2/16)
SLF Response:
“Like the typical Washington politician that he is, Mo Brooks is trying to erase his record of stridently opposing Donald Trump.” –SLF Spokesman Chris Pack