Trump Endorses Riley Moore for Re-Election in West Virginia’s 2nd District

Trump gives Republican Congressman Riley Moore his complete endorsement, praising the freshman lawmaker's push on the economy, taxes, border security and gun rights.

First Published: August 3, 2026, 12:18 PM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump endorsed Congressman Riley Moore for re-election, calling the freshman West Virginia Republican a leader who will “never let you down.”

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “Congressman Riley Moore is a tremendous America First Representative for the Wonderful People of West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District! In Congress, Riley is working tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes, Strongly Uphold the Rule of Law, Stop Migrant Crime, Secure our Border, Support our Incredible Military/Vets, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Riley Moore has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” on August 3, 2026 at 4:06 PM ET.

This is Trump’s 7th message released today, and the last post came moments earlier, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 75 of his 465 posts over the last 30 days classified as Elections posts.

Moore is the U.S. Representative for West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, a seat he assumed on January 3, 2025 according to house.gov. He sits on the House Appropriations Committee and serves as a conferee for the MilConVA, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations conference committees according to house.gov. The district stretches across the northern half of the state, anchored by Morgantown and the eastern panhandle.

Moore built a career outside politics before winning office. He started as a welder in a mining operation, then earned degrees from George Mason University and the National Defense University according to house.gov. He served in the West Virginia House of Delegates and became the 25th State Treasurer of West Virginia according to house.gov.

As treasurer, Moore challenged environmental, social and governance investing standards in the financial services industry. He was the first elected official in America to divest West Virginia tax dollars from BlackRock over the firm’s support for ESG, and he helped build a coalition of a dozen states to push back on the standards according to house.gov. He also helped pass and administer the Hope Scholarship Program and the Jumpstart Savings Program according to house.gov.

The endorsement carries weight in a state Trump won by wide margins in each of his presidential campaigns. A backing from the president effectively clears the Republican primary field in West Virginia, where his approval among GOP voters runs high. The nod also signals which incumbents the party’s base should protect. Challengers within the party lose the most, while Moore gains a fundraising and turnout advantage heading into the cycle.

The endorsement matters for voters in the 2nd District because it shapes who represents them on federal spending decisions. Moore’s appropriations seat gives him a direct role in funding for military construction, veterans programs and agriculture, areas that touch jobs and services across West Virginia.

Trump endorsements of sitting Republicans have happened before, and they form a routine part of his political operation. He has issued hundreds of endorsements across House and Senate races since 2016, with a heavy tilt toward incumbents who align with his agenda. Moore, a native of Morgantown who now lives in Harpers Ferry, joins a long list of West Virginia Republicans to receive that support.

West Virginia voters will make the next decision on Moore’s seat at the ballot box. The state’s primary and general election dates for the cycle set the timeline, and a specific date for the vote in this race has not been announced.

Presidential endorsements have shaped West Virginia contests before. In 2018, Trump backed Attorney General Patrick Morrisey over coal executive Don Blankenship and Rep. Evan Jenkins in the Republican Senate primary. Morrisey won the nomination that May with about 35% of the vote, then lost the general election to incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin. Morrisey later won the governorship in 2024, showing how a single presidential nod can reshape a candidate’s trajectory over multiple cycles.