Trump backs another loser in Alabama as Roy Moore is edged out in historic defeat

Trump endorsed two candidates in the Alabama senate election and was wrong on both

Donald Trump has not had much luck picking Alabama elections.

Earlier this year, Mr Trump weighed in on a Republican primary launched by his decision to tap former Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions to be his Attorney General, thus opening up a Senate seat.

Breaking with his former adviser Steve Bannon, the President chose the establishment candidate, Luther Strange.

Voters disagreed, rejecting the more moderate Mr Strange in favour of staunch conservative Roy Moore. The decision drew a swift pivot from Mr Trump, who called Mr Moore “a really great guy who ran a fantastic race”. Missives praising Mr Luther vanished from his Twitter timeline.

As sexual misconduct allegations engulfed Mr Moore’s campaign, Mr Trump was initially more muted in his support, though he cast doubt on the veracity of the accusers’ accounts (Mr Moore has called the claims against him false, saying “I never engaged in sexual misconduct).

But as the election drew closer, Mr Trump opted for a full-throated embrace of Mr Moore — breaking with Republican senators and leaders who had distanced themselves from a candidate many had come to view as toxic.

On Twitter and in speeches, Mr Trump lauded the candidate and warned that electing his Democratic rival, Doug Jones, would undermine the Republican agenda in Congress.

“The people of Alabama will do the right thing,” Mr Trump predicted in an Election Day tweet. “Doug Jones is Pro-Abortion, weak on Crime, Military and Illegal Immigration, Bad for Gun Owners and Veterans and against the WALL. Jones is a Pelosi/Schumer Puppet. Roy Moore will always vote with us. VOTE ROY MOORE!”

If the “right thing” is defined as “vote for Roy Moore,” then Mr Trump was proved wrong again. Mr Jones prevailed in a tight race, and now Mr Trump will face a steeper climb to advancing his platform.

The President congratulated Mr Jones on Twitter after he won, adding that “the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time”.