Trump endorses Roy Moore, called to offer support
The president took to Twitter this morning to endorse the embattled candidate.
— -- President Trump endorsed embattled Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore this morning, tweeting, "We need Roy Moore to win in Alabama."
Trump's endorsement comes as Moore, 70, faces allegations from at least eight women in recent weeks who have accused him of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behavior toward them when he was in his 30s and, in some cases, the women were in their teens.
He has denied the allegations.
The two men spoke over the phone this morning, with Trump expressing "enthusiastic support for Judge Moore's candidacy" according to a statement released by the campaign after the call.
"I am honored to receive the support and endorsement of President Donald Trump," Moore said in a statement. "President Trump knows that the future of his conservative agenda in Congress hinges on this election. I look forward to fighting alongside the president to strengthen our military, secure our border, protect our gun rights, defend the sanctity of life and confirm conservative judges to courts around this nation."
Moore tweeted that he was "honored" to receive the endorsement and said Trump told him, "Go get 'em, Roy!"
"The president had a positive call with Judge Roy Moore, during which they discussed the state of the Alabama Senate race, and the president endorsed Judge Moore's campaign," White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah said in a statement.
Trump has no plans to campaign for Moore, but he will be holding a rally in Pensacola, Florida, on Friday, less than 30 miles from the Alabama state line.
The full-throated support from Trump comes with just eight days until the state's special election to fill the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became attorney general.
Trump defended Moore last month against the allegations of sexual misconduct, telling reporters before departing for the Thanksgiving holiday, "Let me just tell you, Roy Moore denies it. That's all I can say. He denies it. By the way, he totally denies it."
While many Republicans called on Moore to drop out in the immediate wake of the allegations, the calls for him to step aside have quieted in recent days.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who originally said Moore should get out of the race, told George Stephanopoulos on "This Week" on Sunday, "I'm going to let the people of Alabama make that call."
Moore faces Democrat Doug Jones in the election, which will be held Dec. 12.