Former President Donald Trump is on the receiving end of some serious criticism from MAGA loyalists over his choice to endorse a particular candidate. While most of his decisions on which candidates to support have not met with opposition, this one seems to be different.

Politico reported:

Trump on Tuesday evening endorsed Morgan Ortagus, who served as a State Department spokesperson during his administration and is pondering a run for a Middle Tennessee-based congressional district. The announcement has caused a firestorm, with far-right, high-profile backers ranging from North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn to conservative activist Candace Owens taking to social media to voice their support for Robby Starbuck, a rival candidate who’s been a mainstay of the pro-Trump movement.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of Trump’s staunchest allies, also chimed in, promoting a tweet that listed criticisms of Ortagus. “The gripes have included everything from Ortagus’ support of Jeb Bush in the 2016 GOP primaries to her being photographed with President Joe Biden and having her wedding officiated by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” according to Politico.

Starbuck, a film producer and prominent Trump supporter, does not have much of a chance at winning the nomination; he is a first-time candidate and a “relative newcomer to the district,” according to Politico, which also noted that this situation “represents perhaps the most intense blowback Trump has received from loyalists since leaving office – and a potential test of the former president’s credibility with some of his fiercest defenders.”

Politico reported:

Unlike many of the former president’s other endorsements, the decision to get behind Ortagus unfolded quickly. The would-be candidate, joined by her family, met with Trump on Monday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where she informed him she was considering running. In the hours after their meeting, Trump began asking a range of people what they thought of Ortagus.

By Tuesday evening, the former president had decided to move ahead with the announcement. He released a statement calling the 39-year-old Ortagus, a former Fox News contributor, “an absolute warrior” for his movement and saying she was “fantastic in her role” at the State Department.

“Morgan Ortagus will have my Complete and Total Endorsement if she decides to run!” Trump said.

Ned Ryun, a conservative activist, tweeted: “Absolutely not.”

Conservative media personality Candace Owens also weighed in on Twitter: “Nope. Trump has this completely wrong.”

John Cardillo, a conservative pundit, said “Trump is now firmly in the establishment camp.”

Some in the former president’s circle were frustrated because they believe he made the decision to endorse Ortagus too hastily. But others have defended Trump’s choice, noting how she defended his policies during her stint in the State Department and also as a Fox News contributor. They have also indicated that Starbuck might not have been the right choice.

From Politico:

There is also a degree of skepticism within some corners of Trump’s orbit about whether Starbuck would be the strongest candidate in a potentially crowded primary. While Starbuck, whose full legal name is Robert Starbuck Newsom, has developed a reputation as a Twitter personality and has garnered support from out-of-state Trump backers, he has lived in the district for only a few years and never run for office. The primary is expected to draw a number of well-known local officials. The list of potential candidates includes former Tennessee state House Speaker Beth Harwell and Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles.

The Politico report seems to make this sound as if the MAGA base might be losing faith in Trump. However, a look at the big picture suggests differently. He remains popular on the right and is still the favorite for the 2024 nomination at this moment. This is not the only time people in the MAGA base have criticized one of his decisions. But it is clear that he still enjoys their fervent backing. Unfortunately for the left, it will take a lot more than this for him to lost support among conservatives.