Trump calls into Take Back Virginia Rally to hype Youngkin

Former President Trump called into the “Take Back Virginia Rally” on Wednesday ahead of the state’s gubernatorial and House of Delegates elections next month, praising GOP nominee Glenn Youngkin. 

“Glenn Youngkin is a great gentleman. Really successful, he loves this state, we gotta get him in,” Trump told rallygoers before calling Democratic nominee and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe “a lousy governor.”

Youngkin was never slated to attend the rally, which was hosted by Virginia-based conservative talk show host John Fredericks in Glen Allen, Va. The event featured other well-known GOP figures in the state, including state Sen. Amanda Chase (R). 

Trump’s less than five minute call to the rally was a contrast to a rally he held in Iowa over the weekend where he stood side-by-side with senior Sen. Chuck Grassley (R), who is running for reelection next year. 

While the former president endorsed Youngkin earlier this year, he has yet to campaign with the Republican nominee in Virginia. Trump lost Virginia in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, and major Democratic gains were made in the governor’s mansion and General Assembly during his administration. 

Youngkin has said before that he was honored to have received Trump’s endorsement. 

The former president said during his call-in that he was interested in holding a rally in Virginia in the future. 

“We’ll have to do one together when we’re live together too,” Trump said. 

The former president also stressed the need to keep GOP enthusiasm up in the state. 

“I believe that Virginia is very, very winnable, but we have to get everyone to get out and vote,” he said. 

Recent polls show Youngkin and McAuliffe neck and neck, with most surveys showing McAuliffe ahead but within the margin of error. Democrats and Republicans are viewing the race as a bellwether ahead of next year’s midterms. 

A number of high-profile Democrats will campaign with McAuliffe in the days ahead, including President Biden, first lady Jill Biden, former President Obama and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.