In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump said he had urged embattled Rep. Cory Mills of Florida to drop out of a congressional race, while journalists and political observers criticized the message as too little, too late.

Trump wrote, "I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race. But he wouldn't listen. He thought he could win. So who can blame him?"

Mills remained in the race despite a series of disturbing allegations against him, but he ultimately lost a GOP congressional primary. Trump then congratulated and endorsed the winner, Ryan Elijah.

The episode adds to the pressure surrounding a primary cycle that observers have framed as unusually rough for incumbents. By the time Trump weighed in, the race had already been decided, which is why critics focused less on the endorsement itself than on what it said about when party leaders choose to intervene in controversies involving their own candidates.

Journalist Jamie Dupree criticized Trump’s post in a Wednesday message on X, formerly Twitter, saying, "Trump could have publicly rallied his party against a Florida GOP lawmaker who had a restraining order against him — but chose not to. Instead, it was a couple of backbenchers in Congress who helped drive Mills out."

Dupree argued that Trump, as president of the United States, could have done far more to push Mills out of the race in light of the allegations against him. Mills was facing allegations including sexual misconduct, dating violence and financial crimes.

Other political observers pointed to the broader significance of the defeat. Writer Ryan James Girdusky posted on X, "With Cory Mills defeat, this year had the highest number of incumbents lose their primary of any non-redistricting year since 1970."

Veteran Ryan Shead was more blunt, writing: "Corey Mills needs a job."

Primary source links: Jamie Dupree on X, Ryan Girdusky on X