Utah governor reverses decision on Trump endorsement after shooting

Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox on Friday gave former President Donald Trump an unexpected endorsement after the failed assassination attempt last weekend.

Trump was targeted in a shooting at his Pennsylvania rally last Saturday, where he was wounded in his right ear. Two other people were critically injured in the shooting, and two people died, including the suspected gunman.

Cox has been a major critic of the former president in the past, even stating as late as last week that he would not vote for either Trump or President Joe Biden in the November election. In February, Cox said it would be a "mistake" to vote for Trump, according to The Hill.

“Mr. President, I know we have some differences, and you probably don’t like me much. And that’s OK,” Cox wrote in a letter to Trump, which he shared on X. “I’m not writing this letter looking for a position in your Cabinet or a role on your team. I have told everyone that you are going to win the state of Utah and you are going to win the presidency again. You don’t need my help and support to do that.

"However, you have a chance to do something that people have said is impossible. You have a chance to build a coalition of support that our country has not seen since Ronald Reagan," the governor continued. “You, and only you, can be that kind of leader for us today.”

Cox said part of the reason he changed his mind on supporting Trump was because of the former president's speech at the Republican convention on Thursday, where he called for unity in the country, and urged people to "lower the temperature."

“There’s a willingness to try,” he said during a press conference Friday. “That’s all I can ask for and hope for. So, I told him in that letter, I said if you’ll do this, I will do everything I can to help and support you.” 

Cox most notably butted heads with Trump over the January 6 riot in 2021.

The governor also demanded that Trump treat Biden with respect as he faces calls to stop seeking reelection. There have been growing concerns over the president's mental and physical health since the first presidential debate. Biden most recently tested positive for COVID-19.

“By treating President Biden with basic human dignity and respect and by emphasizing unity rather than hate, you will win this election by an historic margin and become one of our nation’s most transformational leaders,” Cox wrote.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.