Former MAGA firebrands who once wielded clout among President Donald Trump's base were watching their influence evaporate in Republican primaries Tuesday amid infighting, backlash and shifting loyalties. 

In Tuesday's Republican primary elections in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas, the first of the 2026 midterm season, nearly every Trump-endorsed candidate won outright or advanced to a run-off amid a crowded field. 

Thus far, there are only two exceptions among dozens of candidates: Sid Miller, who was endorsed for Texas commissioner of Agriculture, and Phil Berger, endorsed for North Carolina state Senate District 26, who trailed his challenger by just two votes in unofficial results, potentially heading to a loss. 

Trump's success did not transpire without efforts by his detractors to prevent it, however. Multiple social media influencers who once backed the 47th president have now turned away from that support and have become ardent critics. But their attempts overwhelmingly failed. 

Tucker Carlson, in an interview condemning the joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, called the action "absolutely disgusting and evil." He added that it was effectively "Israel’s war" (not America's), driven by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than U.S. interests, and predicted it would profoundly impact Trump's movement.  

Keith and Kevin Hodge, known collectively as the Hodgetwins, posted multiple criticisms.

"Freeing the people of Iran is not why I voted for Trump," they said, rejecting so-called "regime-change" justifications and accusing Trump of being dishonest about Israel's role while emphasizing that "losing more Americans ain’t worth it" and that Israel should fight its own wars. 

Nick Fuentes has been harshly vocal, calling the war a "betrayal" and urging followers to abandon the GOP. 

"Trump betrayed MAGA and America First," he has remarked. "He has lost his mandate to govern" and "If you keep voting after they dragged us into a regional war with Iran, then you will vote for absolutely anything." He also described it as "a war of aggression for Israel" where "Americans will die ... so that Israel can expand its borders." 

He's pushed for voting Democrat or sitting out in 2026 to "shut the administration down."  

On her show and in statements, podcaster Megyn Kelly has expressed skepticism and criticism, saying American service members "died for Iran or Israel."

She also said: "No one should have to die for a foreign country." 

Kelly, who like Carlson previously had a commentary show on the Fox News Channel, criticized the administration's perceived vague or shifting rationales (comparing it to Iraq 2003) and argued the war is eroding support, especially among women and independents. She also questioned whether arguments that the U.S.-Israel strikes were preemptive because Iran was poised to attack first "make any sense."  

However, in Texas, Trump's endorsements carried significant weight in the primary, particularly for statewide incumbents and many congressional seats. Gov. Greg Abbott won decisively in his reelection bid, while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick secured renomination with strong margins. 

Trump backed nearly all GOP U.S. House incumbents running, and the vast majority prevailed outright or faced minimal opposition in safe or redrawn districts, including Nathaniel Moran in the 1st District and August Pfluger in the 11th District. However, Rep. Tony Gonzales, whom Trump had endorsed earlier, then declined to endorse leading up to the primary, fell short of an outright win in the 23rd District and will now compete in a May 26 runoff against challenger Brandon Herrera. 

In North Carolina, Trump's support proved effective for most of his dozen endorsements in the primary. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley captured the GOP nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat outright, setting up a November contest against Democrat Roy Cooper, and credited Trump in his victory remarks. 

Several endorsed U.S. House incumbents won handily, including Greg Murphy in the 3rd District, Virginia Foxx in the 5th, Addison McDowell in the 6th, David Rouzer in the 7th, Chuck Edwards in the 11th (by roughly 40 points), and Pat Harrigan in the 10th. Brad Knott also prevailed decisively in the 13th District. 

In Arkansas, Trump's endorsements aligned with straightforward successes for incumbent Republicans. Sen. Tom Cotton won renomination outright against minor challengers. 

In addition, all four GOP U.S. House members he backed also prevailed: Rick Crawford in the 1st District (uncontested), French Hill in the 2nd (by about 54 points or 77% in some tallies), Steve Womack in the 3rd (uncontested), and Bruce Westerman in the 4th (uncontested). The low-drama results highlighted Trump's strong track record among his endorsed candidates in these primaries.