WASHINGTON — In a surprising show of support that’s already raising eyebrows among political insiders, former President Donald Trump took to 𝕏 on Friday to deliver a glowing endorsement of Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), despite mounting evidence that the senator may soon break ranks on a cornerstone of Trump’s 2025 legislative agenda — the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill.
“Senator Shelley Moore Capito is doing a tremendous job… SHE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” Trump wrote in his trademark grandiose style.
Yet behind the former president’s effusive praise lies a more complicated and potentially dissonant political reality.
Capito, currently serving as Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has reportedly expressed skepticism about several provisions of the bill — a sprawling tax and energy proposal aimed at cementing the legacy of Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Central to the legislation is a permanent extension of those tax cuts, adjustments to inflation indexing for tax brackets, and reforms to Medicaid eligibility and benefits.
Sources close to the matter suggest Capito is particularly uneasy about key components of the bill, including the rollback of climate and energy tax credits, the imposition of new fees on electric and hybrid vehicles, and cuts to Medicaid. Her hesitancy comes at a critical time, as Senate Republicans seek to rally unanimous support behind the bill, which has been touted as essential to preserving Trump’s economic legacy.
Political observers view Trump’s endorsement as an attempt to box Capito in — effectively daring her to oppose the bill after receiving his “Complete and Total Endorsement.” But the timing and tone of the endorsement suggest a preemptive effort to secure loyalty rather than reward it.
Adding to the awkwardness is the not-so-distant memory of Donald Trump Jr.’s harsh denunciation of both Capito and her son, Moore Capito, during the 2024 West Virginia gubernatorial race. On February 13, 2024, Trump Jr. took to 𝕏 to accuse Senator Capito of betraying America First values, writing:
“Shelley Moore Capito is part of Senate GOP Leadership & just voted to send billions to Ukraine,” Trump Jr. wrote. “She’s not up for reelection this year, but her RINO son is running for Governor of West Virginia. MAGA – Send a message to the Ukraine First RINOs & OPPOSE @MooreCapitoWV for #WVGov!”
The post framed the Capitos as establishment Republicans aligned with foreign entanglements and disconnected from Trump’s populist base — a portrayal sharply at odds with President Trump’s recent public praise.
According to a report by the Associated Press on January 9, 2025, Capito reportedly pushed to have Trump’s signature One Big Beautiful Bill split into two separate pieces of legislation.
“I still think the two-bill strategy is better simply because I think we can get a victory in early, which will show the American people and the president we mean business,” Capito explained.
This maneuver was likely an attempt to secure passage of a version of the bill that aligned more closely with her priorities, while potentially sidelining parts of the proposal she found less palatable. By separating the legislation, Capito could push for her favored policies in one bill, delivering a win to her constituents and Trump supporters, while quietly undermining or stalling the second bill — the more contentious aspects of Trump’s broader agenda — without directly opposing the President’s wishes.
The current bill, while likely to pass the Republican-controlled House, faces a tougher battle in the Senate, where moderates like Capito could hold considerable sway. Trump’s endorsement may aim to undercut her independence by using leverage. If Capito ultimately votes against the bill — or even demands changes that dilute its impact — it will signal that Trump’s influence over the legislative process, even within his own party, may be more fragile in the U.S. Senate than it appears.
As Capitol Hill awaits the next move in this high-stakes legislative drama, one thing is clear: An endorsement from Donald Trump may still generate headlines, but whether it commands legislative votes — even from those it’s directed at — is far less certain.
