Trump Backs Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania’s US Senate Race

Dr. Mehmet Oz watches play during the women's singles final of the US Open tennis championships, in this file photo from Sept. 11, 2021, in New York. Oz is running in the wide-open race for the Pennsylvania seat being vacated by two-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. The race has attracted several wealthy and well-connected transplants. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

By Patrick Berkery

April 11, 2022

Though opponents have questioned his credibility as a Republican, Dr. Oz gets the last laugh by landing the coveted endorsement of Donald Trump.

For those leery of Pennsylvania GOP US candidate Dr. Oz due to his murky residential status or some of his more questionable medical advice, another potential red flag has emerged. Donald Trump has endorsed him.

The former president officially backed Oz Saturday. In the written statement announcing his endorsement, Trump emphasized the celebrity surgeon and television host’s electability and success on TV. There was relatively little mention of policy specifics, or why a multi-millionaire media figure from New Jersey who is just entering politics was qualified to represent Pennsylvania in Washington.

Early in the pandemic, Oz’s suggestion that the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine could be used to treat COVID-19 caught Trump’s attention. The president became fixated for a time on using the drug as a way to combat the coronavirus, labeling it a potential “game changer.” Research eventually showed that hydroxychloroquine is not an effective treatment for COVID-19.

Oz said he was proud to receive the endorsement.

Being endorsed by a man who incited an insurrection on his way out of office because he lost the presidency to a Democrat doesn’t exactly square with the “Republican In Name Only” (RINO) tag rivals have slapped Oz with. 

And it’s sure to be a major disappointment for candidates who lobbied for Trump’s endorsement, like former hedge fund CEO David McCormick, whose wife, Dina Powell, served in Trump’s administration. Or Carla Sands, who served as ambassador to Denmark during Trump’s presidency. Or real estate investor Jeff Bartos, who, when asked recently at a conservative forum if he would like Trump’s endorsement and for him to come to Pennsylvania to campaign for him replied, “Yes. 100%, yes.” 

Trump initially endorsed Republican candidate Sean Parnell in Pennsylvania’s US Senate race, but Parnell dropped out amid allegations of abuse from his estranged wife. 

After Trump announced his endorsement of Oz, Parnell took to social media to share his disappointment.

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