Trump, Largely Uninvolved in Va. Race, Credits Himself for G.O.P. Victory

Elections|Trump, who had small engagement with Youngkin’s campaign, claims recognition for his victory.

• Nov. 3, 2021, 11:12 a.m. ET

CHANTILLY, Va. — Former President Donald J. Trump ne'er appeared successful nationalist with Glenn Youngkin, Virginia’s caller Republican governor-elect. Other than delivering a six-minute code during a league telephone with supporters connected Monday and issuing a fewer written statements, Mr. Trump was not that progressive successful Mr. Youngkin’s campaign.

But that did not halt him and his supporters from claiming, specified hours aft the contention was called, that Mr. Youngkin could not person won the predetermination without the erstwhile president and his legions of supporters.

A small aft 9 a.m. connected Wednesday, Mr. Trump called into the John Fredericks Radio Show and, successful typically grandiose fashion, claimed astir of the credit.

“Without MAGA, helium would person mislaid by 15 points oregon more,” Mr. Trump said, referring to the shorthand helium and his supporters usage for the Trump movement. “Instead of giving america credit, they say, ‘Oh he’s much fashionable than Trump.’ It’s unbelievable.”

Mr. Fredericks, who served arsenic Mr. Trump’s Virginia run president during his statesmanlike campaigns, said aggregate times during the interrogation that helium agreed. “If determination was nary Trump successful this election, there’s nary Glenn Youngkin,” helium said.

Mr. Trump endorsed Mr. Youngkin successful a quality merchandise successful May — but lone aft the Republican had secured his party’s nomination. The 2 men did not cognize each different and are not close. Republicans were acrophobic that the erstwhile president’s interference successful the contention could outgo Mr. Youngkin successful a authorities that voted for Mr. Biden by 10 percent points.

Mr. Youngkin kept his region from Mr. Trump adjacent arsenic helium leaned into issues that are fashionable with Trump supporters, including exaggerated claims of lax information astir elections.

After the interview, Mr. Trump’s bureau issued a single-sentence quality release. It was Mr. Fredericks’s remark astir the erstwhile president’s supposedly pivotal relation successful the race.