MAGA World Enraged After Republican VA Lt. Gov. Dumps Trump

The MAGA world has erupted in outrage after Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears denounced former President Donald Trump following underwhelming GOP midterm performances.

Sears, a Republican who in 2020 served as national chair of the group Black Americans to Re-Elect President Trump, said during a Fox Business interview on Thursday that she will not back the former president if he follows through with his expected announcement to run for president in 2024. Sears called Trump "a liability" for Republicans and urged him to "step off the stage" before doing more damage in the next election.

"The voters have spoken and they have said that they want a different leader," said Sears. "And a true leader understands, when they have become a liability, a true leader understands that it's time to step off the stage. And the voters have given us that very clear message."

"A house divided against itself cannot stand," she continued. "And indeed, that's where we are today... The voters are saying enough is enough."

Sears went on to say that she "could not support" Trump if he runs in 2024, reasoning that the former president's influence over the party was causing some voters to reject Republicans.

"In those states where he has endorsed the candidates, in fact, Republicans on the same ticket who he did not endorse overperformed," she said. "Whereas his candidates totally underperformed, by as much as 10 points. We have a clear mission and it is time to move on."

Trump-supporting Republicans lashed out at Sears after the interview aired, with some on social media claiming that she owed her political career to the former president and had become part of "the swamp" by turning against him.

"If you're not paying attention, the swamp is running a coordinated campaign, pushing dishonest talking points about Donald Trump," conservative political consultant Alex Bruesewitz tweeted. "Winsome Sears, who was propped up by the MAGA movement, is the latest to get gobbled up. 2015/2016 anti-Trump energy is back. They won't succeed."

"Winsome Sears With The Latest Lame Attempt To Blame Trump For Everything," @ColumbiaBugle tweeted. "Ends by saying she 'could not support' Trump for 2024."

"Hey, @WinsomeSears imagine owing your entire political career to somebody and then stabbing him in the back by blaming him for the 'loss' of an election in which he was not even on the ballot," tweeted David Giglio, a former GOP congressional candidate. "This is total despicable. How much money did Glenn give to help these governor races??"

"When I heard Lt Gov Winsome Sears of VA go against Trump I was shocked," @Phyllis94584953 tweeted. "Who does she think she is??"

"Let's tell traitor @WinsomeSears how we feel about her turning traitor on MAGA," tweeted @modmothernature.

"Shame on you ,@WinsomeSears !!" @Covfefe2De tweeted.

Trump himself had not yet weighed in on Sears' comments as of Thursday evening.

Newsweek reached out to Trump's office for comment.