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Trump endorses Herschel Walker for Georgia senator, but ex-NFL player trolled as 'White supremacy apologist'

'He would be unstoppable, just like he was when he played for the Georgia Bulldogs, and in the NFL. He is also a GREAT person. Run, Herschel, run!' Trump said

In a statement on Wednesday, 10 March, ex-president Donald Trump endorsed former NFL running back Herschel Walker for the Senate. If he contests, Walker will be up against Senator Raphael Warnock, one of the two Democrats to be elected from Georgia in 2020. The Republicans lost both seats in the election, handing the Democrats a 50-50 lead in the upper chamber. Walker is a longtime friend of Trump and even defended him at the Republican National Convention (RNC) last year.

Trump's statement is the first of many such expected statements, as the former President aims to back allies to take seats from Democrats and even Republicans who voted to impeach him. So far, Walker has not issued a statement on if he plans to run for the elections in 2022. If he doesn't, Trump could also back Rep Doug Collins and Senator Kelly Loeffler. Both are reportedly mulling running again and are seen as staunch pro-Trumpers. Walker recently testified before Congress against slavery reparations, arguing that the proposed bill "wouldn't help Black people".

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'Run, Herschel, run!' says Trump

Trump endorsed Walker in a short statement shared on social media by his son Don Jr. In it, Trump said, "Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the legendary Herschel Walker ran for the United States Senate in Georgia? He would be unstoppable, just like he was when he played for the Georgia Bulldogs, and in the NFL. He is also a GREAT person. Run, Herschel, run!” Trump's endorsement can be seen as an attempt to woo the African-American voters in the state, who were pivotal in handing Warnock and Senator Jon Ossoff their seats. 

Walker is a noted NFL star, whose close ties to Trump originate from his time at USFL’s New Jersey Generals, which Trump owns. In 1983, Trump spent around $9M to buy the team, with ambitions of owning an NFL team. Walker also served on Trump's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. 

Walker has never expressed ambitions to run for office but has been very politically active by endorsing Trump multiple times. The most notable instance was during the 2020 RNC, where Walker said he takes "it as a personal insult that people think I would have a 37-year friendship with a racist”. He added, "Growing up in the Deep South I've seen racism up close. I know what it is, and it isn’t Donald Trump.”

Georgia is a key swing state for the Republicans, who narrowly lost the state's Senate seats in 2020. Some Republicans blamed Trump's election fraud theories, which put off many Republican voters from turning up. In 2022, 24 Senatorial seats will be up for election, including 20 held by Republicans. 

'A gift for democrats'

Trump's endorsement was both praised and slammed on social media. One user tweeted, "So, it looks like Trump is promoting his buddy Herschel Walker to run for Senate in GA. I met Walker years ago, when he was doing promotional work and fighting in Strikeforce. He would be a gift for Democrats, as a carpetbagger with skeletons who will put his foot in his mouth." Another said, "Herschel Walker is a buck dancing, foot shuffling, step and fetch it, butter biscuit eating, Uncle Ruckus and white supremacy apologist."

Other users highlighted Walker's history of threatening people, notable his ex-wife with a knife. One tweeted, "Sure. Herschel Walker and his multiple personalities attempted to murder his ex-wife numerous times. Perfectly qualified." Another tweeted, "No thanks. Georgia already has two good senators. No sense in trading down."

Others though backed the endorsement, with one user tweeting, "Get it Herschel! Georgia and America need winners to help us all win! It’s like we’re in the playoffs for the battle to save our country." Another said, "Definitely will have my vote."

These remarks were made by third person and individual organizations, MEAWW cannot confirm them independently nor does it support these claims.