# Post ts_116110654345152184

- Post ID: `ts_116110654345152184`
- Platform: Truth Social
- Posted: 2026-02-21T21:06:22.561Z (UTC)
- Deleted: no
- Repost: no
- Canonical URL: https://trump.fm/post/ts_116110654345152184
- Analysis page: https://trump.fm/post/ts_116110654345152184/analysis
- Audio narration: https://static.trump.fm/audio/ts_116110654345152184.mp3 (a synthesized voice reading the post text, not a recording)

## Post text

> Based on a lack of support, in particular for the unbelievably successful TARIFFS imposed on Foreign Countries and Companies which has made America Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before, I am hereby WITHDRAWING my Endorsement of RINO Congressman Jeff Hurd, of Colorado's 3rd District, and fully Endorsing Highly Respected Patriot, Hope Scheppelman, to take his place in Congress. Congressman Hurd is one of a small number of Legislators who have let me and our Country down. He is more interested in protecting Foreign Countries that have been ripping us off for decades than he is the United States of America. Taking back an Endorsement is a difficult decision for me. I have only done it once before, with a former Congressman named Mo Brooks, from Alabama, who was leading by 54 points after my Endorsement for U.S. Senate, and then, he unexpectedly, for strictly political reasons, changed his views on the Rigged Election of 2020, and lost his Race in a Landslide to Katie Britt, who I Endorsed. These are the decisions that must be made, however, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!On the other hand, Hope Scheppelman is a distinguished Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, and a brave U.S. Navy Veteran, who knows the America First Policies required, and will do everything necessary to Defend our Country, Support our Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. In Congress, Hope will work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advocate for our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Safeguard our Elections, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Hope Scheppelman has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Colorado's 3rd Congressional District and, unlike RINO Jeff Hurd, HOPE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!

## Engagement

- Likes: 27,521
- Reposts: 7,568
- Replies: 2,453
- Views: unknown
- Metrics collected: 2026-02-23T14:00:38.798Z (UTC)

# Analysis

_Machine-generated by trump.fm on 2026-03-22T07:36:46.836Z (UTC): a model's reading of this post, not his words. Its psychological terms describe the language, not a clinical assessment of him._

## Summary

Trump withdraws endorsement from Rep. Jeff Hurd (CO-3) over tariff opposition, days after the Supreme Court struck down his IEEPA tariffs 6-3. The post opens with the reality-distorting claim that tariffs are "unbelievably successful" — a textbook denial response to the Court's ruling. The endorsement withdrawal functions as displaced narcissistic rage: unable to effectively retaliate against SCOTUS, Trump punishes a vulnerable congressional target to enforce caucus discipline. The Mo Brooks digression serves as a cautionary tale — disloyalty is always punished. The replacement endorsement of Hope Scheppelman follows boilerplate orthodoxy signaling. The splitting is stark: Hurd is "RINO" protecting foreign countries; Scheppelman is a "Highly Respected Patriot." This post is significant as a coercive loyalty enforcement mechanism deployed at a moment of institutional defeat, revealing how narcissistic injury from authoritative rejection gets channeled into punitive action against safer targets. The post's polished structure suggests aide drafting, but the emotional content and loyalty-enforcement logic are authentically Trump.

## Psychological Analysis: Endorsement Withdrawal of Jeff Hurd

### Context
This post arrives days after the Supreme Court struck down Trump's IEEPA tariffs 6-3, invalidating over $175 billion in collections. The post opens with an extended defense of tariffs as "unbelievably successful," framing Hurd's opposition as the trigger for endorsement withdrawal. This is a punitive action designed to enforce loyalty on tariff policy at a moment of legal vulnerability.

### Authorship
Posted at ~4:06 PM EST (Trump likely at Mar-a-Lago or recently returned from Georgia rally). The length, structure, and polished formatting suggest heavy aide involvement — possibly a Scavino draft with Trump's input on content. However, the emotional valence (RINO labeling, loyalty enforcement, self-referential Mo Brooks digression) reflects authentic Trump priorities. The capitalization pattern (selective emphasis on TARIFFS, RINO, WITHDRAWING, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN) is characteristic hybrid style.

### Psychological Dynamics
The post is best understood as **narcissistic rage displacement**. The Supreme Court ruling represents a major narcissistic injury — a public, authoritative rejection of his signature policy. Unable to attack the Court directly (or unwilling to at this moment), Trump redirects punitive energy toward a safer target: a junior congressman who opposed tariffs. The opening clause — "Based on a lack of support, in particular for the unbelievably successful TARIFFS" — is a reality distortion that directly contradicts the Court's ruling days earlier.

The Mo Brooks digression is revealing: Trump narrates a story where disloyalty is always punished ("lost his Race in a Landslide"), reinforcing the lesson for other legislators. This is **coercive signaling** — the endorsement withdrawal is meant to discipline the broader caucus.

### Defense Mechanisms
- **Denial/Distortion**: Tariffs described as "unbelievably successful" after SCOTUS struck them down
- **Displacement**: Rage at Court defeat redirected to vulnerable congressional target
- **Splitting**: Hurd = RINO/traitor vs. Scheppelman = "Highly Respected Patriot"
- **Projection**: Accuses Hurd of protecting foreign countries, while Trump's tariff policy was just ruled unlawful

### Rhetorical Analysis
The post follows a classic Trump punishment template: (1) establish grievance, (2) announce punishment, (3) historical precedent showing punishment works, (4) elevate replacement as contrast, (5) close with MAGA slogan. The Scheppelman section reads like campaign boilerplate — a laundry list of policy positions designed to signal orthodoxy rather than inform.

### Danger Assessment
The post represents **political intimidation** — using endorsement withdrawal as a public loyalty enforcement mechanism. While not physically threatening, it establishes that dissent on tariff policy triggers swift retribution, creating a chilling effect on legislative independence.

### Cognitive Markers
The post is coherent and well-structured, suggesting aide drafting. The Mo Brooks factual claim about "leading by 54 points" is likely an exaggeration but difficult to verify precisely. The claim that tariffs have "made America Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before" is demonstrably false given the SCOTUS ruling and economic data.

## Fact Verification

| Claim | Verdict | Evidence |
|-------|---------|----------|
| "Tariffs have made America Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before" | **False** | SCOTUS struck down IEEPA tariffs 6-3 days earlier, invalidating $175B+ in collections. Economic consensus is tariffs raised consumer prices. |
| "Mo Brooks was leading by 54 points after Trump endorsement" | **Mostly False** | Brooks held a significant lead in early polling but 54 points is almost certainly an exaggeration. Brooks led by roughly 30 points at peak. |
| "Mo Brooks lost in a Landslide to Katie Britt" | **Mostly True** | Britt defeated Brooks in the 2022 Alabama Senate runoff by approximately 27 points after Trump switched endorsement. |

Overall Veracity: 33%

## Receipts (4)

### major — border-wall (6 days later)

> "The U.S. border is not currently secure"

**vs.**

> "Southern Border is now 'VERY Secure (Record Setting!)'"

Six days after source claims the border is 'not currently secure,' this post explicitly states the Southern Border is now 'VERY Secure (Record Setting!)' — a direct, on-the-same-topic factual reversal.

[View contradicting post →](/post/ts_116143516124835450)

---

### major — border-wall (5 days earlier)

> "The U.S. border is not currently secure"

**vs.**

> "Southern Border is now VERY Secure (Record Setting!)"

Same date and identical assertion as Candidate 9: Southern Border is 'VERY Secure (Record Setting!)' — directly contradicts 'not currently secure' stated four days later in the source.

[View contradicting post →](/post/ts_116083532769140354)

---

### major — border-wall (1 month later)

> "The U.S. border is not currently secure"

**vs.**

> "Under Trump's administration, the border will remain secure with no murderers, drug dealers, or criminals of any kind entering the country"

The source asserts the border will remain secure (implying current security). This candidate (Feb 2026) states 'The U.S. border is not currently secure' — a direct factual contradiction on the same specific claim about the border's security status under Trump's administration.

[View contradicting post →](/post/ts_116330487356155648)

---

### moderate — border-wall (6 days later)

> "The U.S. border is not currently secure"

**vs.**

> "The reduction in illegal border crossings represents a historically significant achievement"

Claiming fewest illegal crossings in half a century as a 'historically significant achievement' strongly implies the border is effectively controlled — in notable tension with 'not currently secure,' though one could technically distinguish crossing volume from border security status.

[View contradicting post →](/post/ts_116143332196891362)

## Authorship Analysis

**Uncertain** (score: 35%)

### Indicators

- Business hours posting (~4 PM EST)
- Polished structure and complete sentences
- Boilerplate policy list for Scheppelman
- But authentic Trump emotional content and RINO labeling
- Selective capitalization pattern is hybrid

## Psychological Profile

### State

**Grandiose State**

**Trigger:** Narcissistic Injury — Defeat (Supreme Court IEEPA tariff ruling)

**Rage:** Intensity 60% targeting Rep. Jeff Hurd
- Proportionality: 30%

Sentiment: -0.40

### Clinical

**Malignant Narcissism:**
- Narcissistic: 80%
- Antisocial: 50%
- Paranoid: 40%
- Sadism: 50%

**Defense Mechanisms:**
- denial (pathological)
- distortion (pathological)
- displacement (immature)
- splitting (immature)

**Cognitive Complexity:**
- Complexity: 60%

**Parasocial Techniques:**
- Positioning audience as co-victims of Hurd's betrayal
- HOPE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN as direct audience address

## Danger Assessment

**ELEVATED**

### Indicators

- Public punishment of dissent creates chilling effect on legislative independence
- Coercive loyalty enforcement during institutional crisis

### Gaslighting

- Describing legally invalidated tariffs as 'unbelievably successful'
- Framing opposition to struck-down policy as betrayal of country

## Fact Checks (3)

_The model's verdicts from 2026-03-22._

> Tariffs have made America Richer, Stronger, Bigger, and Better than ever before

**FALSE**

SCOTUS struck down IEEPA tariffs 6-3 days earlier, invalidating $175B+ in collections. Economic consensus is tariffs raised consumer prices.

Sources: SCOTUS Learning Resources v. Trump ruling

> Mo Brooks was leading by 54 points after Trump endorsement

**MOSTLY FALSE**

Brooks held a significant lead in early polling but 54 points is almost certainly an exaggeration. Brooks led by roughly 30 points at peak.

> Mo Brooks lost in a Landslide to Katie Britt

**MOSTLY TRUE**

Britt defeated Brooks in the 2022 Alabama Senate runoff by approximately 27 points after Trump switched endorsement.

Overall Veracity: 33%

## Receipts (4)

### major — border-wall (6 days later)

> The U.S. border is not currently secure

_Feb 21, 2026_

vs.

> Southern Border is now 'VERY Secure (Record Setting!)'

_Feb 27, 2026_

Six days after source claims the border is 'not currently secure,' this post explicitly states the Southern Border is now 'VERY Secure (Record Setting!)' — a direct, on-the-same-topic factual reversal.

[View contradicting post](/post/ts_116143516124835450)

---

### major — border-wall (5 days earlier)

> The U.S. border is not currently secure

_Feb 21, 2026_

vs.

> Southern Border is now VERY Secure (Record Setting!)

_Feb 17, 2026_

Same date and identical assertion as Candidate 9: Southern Border is 'VERY Secure (Record Setting!)' — directly contradicts 'not currently secure' stated four days later in the source.

[View contradicting post](/post/ts_116083532769140354)

---

### major — border-wall (1 month later)

> The U.S. border is not currently secure

_Feb 21, 2026_

vs.

> Under Trump's administration, the border will remain secure with no murderers, drug dealers, or criminals of any kind entering the country

_Apr 1, 2026_

The source asserts the border will remain secure (implying current security). This candidate (Feb 2026) states 'The U.S. border is not currently secure' — a direct factual contradiction on the same specific claim about the border's security status under Trump's administration.

[View contradicting post](/post/ts_116330487356155648)

---

### moderate — border-wall (6 days later)

> The U.S. border is not currently secure

_Feb 21, 2026_

vs.

> The reduction in illegal border crossings represents a historically significant achievement

_Feb 27, 2026_

Claiming fewest illegal crossings in half a century as a 'historically significant achievement' strongly implies the border is effectively controlled — in notable tension with 'not currently secure,' though one could technically distinguish crossing volume from border security status.

[View contradicting post](/post/ts_116143332196891362)

## Tags

- endorsement_withdrawal (100%)
- loyalty_enforcement (90%)
- tariff_defense (80%)
- displaced_rage (80%)
- SCOTUS_response (70%)
- splitting (70%)

## That day

_From trump.fm's machine-generated digest of the day, not his words._

**A day after the Supreme Court struck the tariffs 6-3, a proclamation raising them instead**

Trump spent the day metabolizing the Supreme Court's ruling against his tariffs. Friday night he blamed the two justices he appointed and accused Republicans of disloyalty; Saturday morning he praised the three who sided with him, called the decision anti-American, and issued a formal statement saying he would raise tariffs anyway. The afternoon was routine political business — Texas endorsements, a run of Indiana primary polling graphics, a note about the Great Salt Lake — before the anger came back out on smaller targets: he yanked his endorsement of a Colorado congressman who opposed the tariffs, then demanded Netflix fire Susan Rice or "pay the consequences." He slept a full night in between and nothing suggests a manic stretch. The telling part is the direction of travel: unable to touch the Court, he found people who could be punished.

Full digest for 2026-02-21: https://trump.fm/date/2026-02-21/analysis

## Citation

- APA: Trump, D. J. (2026, February 21). Based on a lack of support, in particular for the... [Social media post]. Truth Social. trump.fm. https://trump.fm/post/ts_116110654345152184
- MLA: Trump, Donald J. "Based on a lack of support, in particular for the..." Truth Social, 21 Feb. 2026. trump.fm, https://trump.fm/post/ts_116110654345152184. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.
- Chicago: Donald J. Trump, "Based on a lack of support, in particular for the...," Truth Social, February 21, 2026, archived at trump.fm, https://trump.fm/post/ts_116110654345152184.

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