In Missouri Senate Race Between Eric Greitens And Eric Schmitt, Donald Trump Endorses 'Eric'

In perhaps the most compelling argument that Trump is playing 4D chess to date, the former president, faced with the choice to endorse either former Governor Eric Greitens or Attorney General Eric Schmitt in today's Missouri Republican Senate Primary, formally endorsed "Eric."

Trump endorses “ERIC” without saying whether it’s Greitens or Schmitt. A truly bizarre ending to the battle of Erics. pic.twitter.com/FTIBWsZG5r

— Bryan Lowry (@BryanLowry3) August 1, 2022

The endorsement caused both candidates to tout their endorsement from President Trump, who technically endorsed both of them, and potentially even longshot candidate Eric McElroy (the third "Eric" in the race).

Honored to have the support of President Trump! We will MAGA! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NljSJqEQG5

— Eric Greitens (@EricGreitens) August 1, 2022

🚨ENDORSEMENT--PRESIDENT TRUMP🚨I’m grateful for President Trump’s endorsement. As the only America First candidate who has actually fought for election integrity, border security & against the Left’s indoctrination of our kids--I’ll take that fight to the Senate to SAVE AMERICA!

— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) August 1, 2022

There are actually three candidates named Eric on the GOP primary ballot in Missouri tomorrow.

Eric McElroy is suddenly a serious contender. pic.twitter.com/8ssuWFGAhr

— Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) August 1, 2022

Though this may seem like a flub on Trump's part, it turns out the confusion resulting from his dual endorsement was actually intentional. According to a report from Politico, Trump called both candidates and indicated he would endorse them (without mentioning his plan to back them both).

Trump was reportedly undecided on which candidate would receive his coveted endorsement in the hours before he made his announcement.

Greitens is mired in both a sexual assault and physical assault scandal, and some, such as Senator Josh Hawley and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, attempted to steer Trump away from endorsing the former Governor. However, Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle lobbied in favor of Greitens. The report states that Trump was tired of the argument and landed on endorsing "Eric" as a compromise.

The confusing end to the endorsement game amused many Twitter users, who found the whole ordeal extremely Trumpian.

Trump endorsing "Eric" when there are two Erics in the race, and them both claiming the endorsement, is 1000% a Veep plot line

— Sam Mintz (@samjmintz) August 1, 2022

There's only one Eric who truly share's Trump's core characteristics. https://t.co/X2PDbkli8y pic.twitter.com/f0Bp10RCnD

— Adam Bonin (@adambonin) August 2, 2022

Trump endorsing “ERIC” https://t.co/W9oneFnrcG pic.twitter.com/pRve5sxwyj

— Emma Vigeland (@EmmaVigeland) August 1, 2022

Perhaps no one was more amused than Inside Elections reporter Jacob Rubashkin, who called the dual endorsement coming the day before.

Holy shit https://t.co/r56olb1Kdg

— Jacob "Inside Elections is hiring" Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) August 1, 2022

When reached for clarification on the perplexing comment, according to NBC News, Trump’s team only said that the "endorsement speaks for itself."