Trump Calls Out 'Fake News' on Dr. Oz, Celebrates 200-Plus Election Wins (Newsmax)
By Jay Clemons | Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:30 PM EST
Former President Donald Trump spoke in optimistic terms on Wednesday when asked his reaction to the Republicans possibly collecting only small-majority gains for the House and Senate chambers.
In his interview with Fox News, Trump touted the 200-plus "great" Republican candidates who emerged victorious during the midterms. He also characterized the overall Election Night experience as a "tremendous success."
Also, the former commander-in-chief refused to divulge details of Monday's "major" announcement, where Trump is expected to formally announce his candidacy for the White House in 2024.
"There is a fake news narrative that I was furious — it is just the opposite," said Trump, likely alluding to a New York Times reporter claiming the former president was "furious" over the endorsement of Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz (who lost to Senator-Elect John Fetterman), and allegedly blaming the former First Lady, Melania Trump, on that selection.
"The people I endorsed did very well. I was batting 98.6% in the primaries, and 216-19 in the general election — that is amazing," said Trump.
That record could rise to 219 endorsement wins, if Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, Nevada Senate candidate Adam Laxalt, and Alaska Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka keep trending toward victories in their respective races.
"All these guys that are winning are my people," quipped Trump to Fox.
The Trump-backed Senate success stories include: Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C., Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Missouri Senator-Elect Eric Schmitt, and Ohio Senator-Elect JD Vance.
"I really think we had great candidates that performed very well," said Trump. "Marco performed very well — I held a rally for him on Sunday.
"J.D. Vance performed very well. Johnson won," added Trump.
As for the Election Day setbacks, most notably the Pennsylvania Senate battle, Trump lamented, "Oz worked very hard, but there were forces against him. Oz is a great guy. He had a lot of immovable forces against him."
Trump might have one more endorsement on his plate in 2022, if the Georgia Senate race — as expected — becomes a runoff election between Republican challenger Herschel Walker and incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.
In that event, Trump might headline a star-studded group of Republicans campaigning on Walker's behalf.
"Herschel is a great guy," said Trump, while teasing a possible cash infusion coming into the Georgia race.
"We have a lot of money. … I will always help Herschel," said Trump.