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Democrats suffered a wave of losses in Virginia last night, but none more devastating than in the Commonwealth's gubernatorial race, where far-right Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe.
Throughout the race, Youngkin embraced far-right hysteria over critical race theory and COVID-19 protocols in schools. His supporters even pledged allegiance to a flag flown by pro-Trump extremists during the January 6 insurrection—a move Youngkin eventually denounced.
What was noticeable throughout the race was the apparently deliberate distance Youngkin's campaign kept from Trump despite the former President's perception as a "kingmaker" in the Republican party. Though Trump endorsed Youngkin in a statement, the Youngkin campaign didn't seek Trump's presence at any of its rallies. Democrats even ran ads highlighting Trump's glaring absence.
Nevertheless, in an interview on Wednesday, Trump credited himself with Virginia's startling rightward swing.
The former President said in an interview with a local Virginia radio station:
"I've heard Virginia is blue, but I've never believed it was blue ... Without MAGA he would have lost by 15 points, more ... instead of giving us credit they say, 'oh he's more popular than [Trump].'"
Trump also lamented that, rather than giving him credit, pundits instead said Youngkin was more popular than Trump.
It was yet another narcissistic episode from the former President.
lol trump is so jealoushttps://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481\u00a0\u2026— Jay Mann (@Jay Mann) 1635954055
It\u2019s always about himhttps://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481\u00a0\u2026— Smokeydogg (@Smokeydogg) 1635953787
I see Mad King Donnie is taking things well today. He's totally ok with Republicans winning without his help.https://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481?s=20\u00a0\u2026— Robbie Sherman (@Robbie Sherman) 1635949296
"I lost by 10 points in Virginia, so I must be the reason why the Republican won!"https://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481\u00a0\u2026— Bark Mellhorn (@Bark Mellhorn) 1635948156
Trump thinks he\u2019s the reason Republicans won the Virginia Governorship. There\u2019s never been a win he didn\u2019t take credit for, and a loss he didn\u2019t distance himself from. I believe in a strong Republican Party. It\u2019s unfortunate that Trump doesn\u2019t think the same of his own Party.https://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481\u00a0\u2026— American Citizen (@American Citizen) 1635947114
Let the stewing in jealousy commence. Matter of time before boiling over.https://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481\u00a0\u2026— Patrick De Klotz (@Patrick De Klotz) 1635948468
Considering Trump lost Virginia just last year by around 10 points and Youngkin won it by around two, Youngkin is objectively more popular than Trump in Virginia, as people soon pointed out.
The numbers say Youngkin is more popular. He expanded Trump\u2019s # significantly.https://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481\u00a0\u2026— Pizza Czar (@Pizza Czar) 1635947175
Well Trump, he actually is more popular than you in Virginiahttps://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481\u00a0\u2026— Magic Mace \ud83c\udf41 MLA (@Magic Mace \ud83c\udf41 MLA) 1635949185
Well Trump, he actually is more popular than you in Virginiahttps://twitter.com/meridithmcgraw/status/1455886647891988481\u00a0\u2026— Magic Mace \ud83c\udf41 MLA (@Magic Mace \ud83c\udf41 MLA) 1635949185
The GOP wins in Virginia could result in massive strategy changes for both parties ahead of the 2022 midterms.