While an endorsement from Donald Trump is usually election gold for Republicans, a little-known candidate for a swing House seat crushed the president’s pick despite having dropped out of the race a month ago and barely campaigning.
In the Republican primary for Michigan’s Eighth Congressional District, retired engineer Tom Smith, who reportedly spent less than $2,000 campaigning, collected 50.4% of the vote compared to Trump-backed Navy veteran Amir Hassan who had 33.2%.
“I fell short last night,” Hassan said Wednesday in a video recorded in his car. “I make no excuse. It was a tough race.”
“I know what God has in store for me is something greater, even if I can’t see it right now and I don’t understand. But I was reminded to lean nit on my own understanding, but that of the Lord. So that’s what I’ll do.”
Disappointed not defeated. Thank you to all that supported. #FlipTheState pic.twitter.com/SsCFjj1sgz
— Amir Hassan (@HassanforMi) August 5, 2026
Michigan law says candidates who choose to drop out of a primary but win the nomination nonetheless can still run during the general election.
The video on the website of Tom Smith—the Michigan Republican who stopped campaigning but still beat his Trump-endorsed opponent, Amir Hassan–gives a sense of the level of investment there. pic.twitter.com/4XRj8NA1UM
— Noah Lanard (@nlanard) August 5, 2026
Meanwhile, investigative journalist and pro-Trump champion Laura Loomer is hammering the decision by Trump advisers to endorse Hassan, and she cited the law-enforcement officer’s Muslim-sounding name.
“‘Amir Hassan’ claims he’s not a Muslim, but it doesn’t matter. His name sounds like he’s fresh off the boat and MAGA voters reject the Islamic infiltration of our country and party,” Loomer said.
“This should be an eye opener to Trump’s advisors that we don’t want Muslims, Arabs or anyone who may even sound Arab or Islamic serving in office. We are done with the Islamic takeover of our country, but they won’t pass this message along to President Trump.
“How many people who work in this administration previously worked as lobbyists for Qatar? A lot. It’s a big problem too. Who told Trump to endorse this guy? 😂 I mean come on.”
Loomer continued: “Dude should have changed his name. If my name was Amir Hassan and I wasn’t a Muslim, I’d be changing my name as soon as I turned 18.
“I will never vote for anyone with an Islamic name. Neither will most of President Trump’s voters. I hope some of the people who work for President Trump who have been blinded by Arab money and post 2028 job offers with the Qataris can come to internalize this reality. We prefer President Trump’s policy from his first term: A MUSLIM BAN!”
Hassan stressed in a July 31 video that he’s “100% Christian” and “not an immigrant.”
American. Christian. Conservative. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/s4nMXTuRHZ
— Amir Hassan (@HassanforMi) July 31, 2026
Smith’s lack of prowess with computers became evident during the campaign, as he submitted a hand-written note to the Federal Election Commission, explaining: “I could not file this form electronically because I have had no success logging in.”
The all-caps longhand is all the proof I need that Tom Smith is an engineer.
Amazing letter to the FEC: “I could not file this form electronically because I have had no success logging in.” https://t.co/9usnaKcQXs
— Thomas G Phippen (@ThomasPhippen) August 5, 2026
In November, Smith faces freshman incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, who ran uncontested in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.
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