Trump endorses ‘ERIC’ in Missouri’s Senate primary without specifying which one

The night before Missouri’s closely watched Republican primary election for a US Senate seat to replace retiring Senator Roy Blunt, Donald Trump has announced his endorsement: “ERIC”.

There are two GOP front-runners named Eric in that race – former governor Eric Greitens and state Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

“I trust the Great People of Missouri, on this one, to make up their own minds, much as they did when they gave me landslide victories in the 2016 and 2020 Elections, and I am therefore proud to announce that ERIC has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” the former president announced on 1 August.

Mr Greitens – a far-right candidate who resigned from office in 2018 following allegations that he sexually assaulted his hairdresser, which he has denied – sought a political comeback with the 2022 race, while leading GOP candidates Schmitt and US Rep Vicky Hartzler have further split the Republican field.

Mr Greitens has also courted further controversy with his 2022 candicacy, airing a campaign ad that depicts him hunting members of his own party, while facing accusations from his ex-wife that he had physically abused her and his children. He has also denied those allegations.

Following those accusations Ms Hartzler, Mr Schmitt and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, among others, called on Mr Greitens to drop out of the race.

This is a developing story