FnF News
Trump’s Silence on Andy Biggs for Governor Raises Red Flags Within MAGA Ranks
By Khadija Khan | FNF News | May 29, 2025
PHOENIX, AZ — In a political climate where Donald Trump’s endorsement can make or break a Republican candidate, his silence on Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs’s bid for governor is raising serious concerns among his loyalists. The absence of a public endorsement is not just conspicuous — it’s strategic. And for some insiders, it’s deeply troubling.
Biggs, a hardline conservative and founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, officially entered the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial race earlier this month. With a résumé that includes fierce opposition to COVID-19 mandates, uncompromising immigration policies, and persistent challenges to the legitimacy of the 2020 election, Biggs is — by all accounts — a MAGA loyalist. But so far, the movement’s de facto leader has remained conspicuously silent.
“That’s a huge red flag,” said a senior Arizona GOP operative who requested anonymity. “Biggs has been one of Trump’s most consistent defenders. If he can’t even get an early nod, something’s off.”
A MAGA Stalwart Left in Limbo
Biggs’s entry into the race was expected and well-timed. Arizona, a battleground state that Trump narrowly lost in 2020 and continues to contest, remains a priority for Republican strategists heading into 2026 and 2028. The governorship — currently held by Democrat Katie Hobbs — will be up for grabs in what’s expected to be one of the most expensive and contentious races in the country.
Given Biggs’s record, many assumed he would be the obvious choice for Trump’s backing. The Congressman challenged Arizona’s 2020 election certification, voted against certifying Biden’s victory, and regularly echoes Trump’s immigration rhetoric — particularly in relation to the southern border crisis, which Arizona has experienced firsthand.
“Andy Biggs checks all the MAGA boxes,” said Paul Bentz, a Republican strategist and senior vice president at HighGround Inc., a public affairs consulting firm in Arizona. “So when Trump doesn’t say anything, it’s not an oversight — it’s deliberate.”
Allies, But Not Always Aligned
While Biggs has supported Trump unfailingly in public, sources close to both camps suggest their relationship has cooled behind the scenes. According to reporting by The Washington Post and Axios, Trump has privately voiced frustration over Biggs’s lack of charisma and his failure to effectively push legislation during his congressional tenure.
“Trump cares about loyalty, yes, but he also cares about optics and winning,” said a GOP insider familiar with Trump’s endorsement calculus. “Biggs has never been a major fundraiser, and he doesn’t have the same media savvy as someone like Kari Lake.”
Lake, a former TV anchor and gubernatorial candidate in 2022, has remained in Trump’s good graces. Though she lost her race to Hobbs, Lake has since launched a Senate bid and remains one of the most visible MAGA figures in Arizona. Trump has already endorsed her, signaling his preference for more telegenic, populist firebrands.
The contrast is stark: Lake gets photo ops at Mar-a-Lago; Biggs gets ghosted.
Trump’s Endorsement: Still the GOP’s Golden Ticket?
Despite multiple legal battles and increasing scrutiny over his authoritarian rhetoric, Trump remains the dominant force in Republican politics. His endorsement is still considered critical, especially in primary contests. According to a March 2025 poll by Morning Consult, 61% of Republican primary voters say a Trump endorsement would make them more likely to support a candidate.
In Arizona, where Trump’s grip on the GOP remains firm, a nod from the former president could all but secure the Republican nomination for governor. Conversely, a lack of endorsement could leave Biggs vulnerable to more media-savvy challengers or establishment-backed opponents.
“It’s not that Biggs can’t win without Trump,” said Chuck Coughlin, president of the Arizona-based political firm HighGround. “But he’ll have to work ten times harder.”
What’s Trump Waiting For?
Trump’s silence might also reflect broader strategic concerns. His inner circle may view Biggs as unelectable in a general election. In 2022, Trump’s endorsed candidates in key battleground states — including Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia — floundered in general races, costing the GOP potential victories.
This time around, Trump is more cautious. With his own 2024 rematch against Biden still under legal cloud and political fire, the former president is likely trying to avoid backing losing candidates — particularly in high-profile contests.
“Trump doesn’t want another ‘Dr. Oz situation’ on his hands,” said a senior Trump campaign advisor, referring to the TV doctor’s failed Senate bid in Pennsylvania. “He’s playing the long game now.”
There are also reports that Trump is considering whether to save his Arizona endorsement for a bigger announcement closer to the 2026 primaries — or use it as leverage to get concessions from Biggs or others in the Arizona GOP.
Trouble Within the Freedom Caucus?
Biggs’s failure to secure an early endorsement is also causing ripples within the House Freedom Caucus. Once a reliable Trumpian bloc, the Caucus has seen internal divisions grow over strategy, leadership, and Trump’s future role in the party.
Several Freedom Caucus members have already lined up behind Trump for 2024, but remain quiet on Biggs’s gubernatorial run. Some are even reportedly considering alternative candidates who could better unify both MAGA loyalists and traditional conservatives.
“There’s an internal civil war going on in the Freedom Caucus,” said Olivia Troye, a former Homeland Security official and Trump critic. “Biggs’s isolation shows how fractured that alliance has become.”
Democrats Take Notice
Meanwhile, Democrats are already seizing on the drama. The Arizona Democratic Party has begun circulating social media posts highlighting Trump’s silence as evidence of a Republican implosion.
“If Trump can’t trust Biggs, why should Arizonans?” read a recent post from the Arizona Democratic Party’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Democratic strategists believe a fractured GOP primary could pave the way for another competitive general election, particularly if Hobbs decides not to seek re-election or if moderate Republicans break away from MAGA extremism.
Biggs Responds…Sort Of
When asked directly about Trump’s silence, Biggs appeared to brush off the issue.
“I have great respect for President Trump, and I’m confident he supports strong conservative leadership in Arizona,” Biggs told FNF News during a press event in Mesa. “We’re focused on building a winning coalition — and endorsements will come.”
But behind the scenes, aides are reportedly “deeply concerned” that without a Trump endorsement, Biggs’s path to victory becomes murkier. Several key donors and PACs aligned with the America First movement have also held off on contributing to his campaign until Trump makes his position clear.
The Road Ahead
Arizona’s Republican gubernatorial primary is still more than a year away, but the stakes are already high. Trump’s next move will likely shape the race’s trajectory — and Biggs’s political future.
For now, the Congressman remains in a holding pattern, waiting for a signal from Mar-a-Lago. But with every passing week, the silence becomes more deafening.
“In politics, silence isn’t neutral,” said GOP strategist Sarah Longwell. “It’s a message. And right now, the message to Andy Biggs is: You’re not the guy.”
As MAGA loyalists scratch their heads and Biggs soldiers on without the golden seal of approval, Arizona becomes the latest stage in a growing intra-party rift — one that could define the future of Trumpism itself.
Sources:
- The Washington Post – May 2025
- Axios – Arizona Politics Tracker, May 2025
- Morning Consult Poll – March 2025
- HighGround Inc. Political Insights – April 2025
- Interviews with GOP operatives and political analysts (names withheld by request)