Roy Moore: Donald Trump backs former Alabama judge after White House said he 'would not campaign' for Senate candidate

‘Putting Pelosi / Schumer Liberal Puppet Jones into office in Alabama would hurt our great Republican Agenda,’ says President

Donald Trump has given his explicit backing for Roy Moore in the Alabama Senate race – because he says he needs Moore’s vote.

Mr Trump called the Senate candidate, with the White House saying that the two discussed the state of the Alabama Senate race and that the president "endorsed Judge Moore's campaign".

That call followed a morning tweet by the president that Mr Trump tweeted: “Democrats refusal to give even one vote for massive Tax Cuts is why we need Republican Roy Moore to win in Alabama. We need his vote on stopping crime, illegal immigration, Border Wall, Military, Pro Life, V.A., Judges 2nd Amendment and more. No to Jones, a Pelosi/Schumer Puppet!”

Mr Trump reinforced that attack on the Democrat candidate Doug Jones in a subsequent tweet: “Putting Pelosi/Schumer Liberal Puppet Jones into office in Alabama would hurt our great Republican Agenda of low on taxes, tough on crime, strong on military and borders...& so much more. Look at your 401-k’s since Election. Highest Stock Market EVER! Jobs are roaring back!” The tweets refer to Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democrat leaders in the House and the Senate respectively.

A White House official told Associated Press last week that Mr Trump would not campaign for Mr Moore in person.

Mr Moore has been accused by multiple women of pursuing them when they were teenagers and he was in his thirties. One woman said she was only 14 years old when he initiated sexual contact with her. He has denied the accusations and blamed them on “socialists” and LGBT people.

At a campaign rally at Magnolia Springs Baptist Church in Alabama last week, Mr Moore boasted he was still leading in the race, despite the fact that “they” had pulled out all the stops to thwart him.

“When I say they, who are ‘they?’” he asked the congregation. “They’re liberals. They don’t hold conservative values. They are the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender who want to change our culture. They are socialists who want to change our way of life and put man above God, and the government is our God.”

Shortly after Mr Trump's tweet on Monday morning, Mr Moore responded with his own tweet: “Thankful for President Trump's support. The America First agenda will #MAGA. Can't wait to help him #DrainTheSwamp.”

Mr Trump had previously addressed the accusations against Mr Moore saying, ”He totally denies it,” he said then, telling reporters: “You have to listen to him, also.”

The President is due to hold a campaign-style rally in Pensacola, Florida, four days before the vote which takes place on 12 December. Pensacola is less than 20 miles over the border from Alabama.