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Trump responds after Elise Stefanik drops bombshell announcement about political future

December 20, 2025 | | Print Article

A surprise announcement regarding a gubernatorial race found President Donald Trump speaking out about the “tremendous talent, regardless of what she does.”

Following the example of outgoing Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, another high-profile Republican congresswoman chose the Friday before a holiday to announce a planned exit from Capitol Hill. Only this time, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik’s decision against seeking re-election came coupled with her dropping out of the race for governor of the Empire State, drawing a quick reaction from the Oval Office.

Taking to Truth Social the Friday before Christmas, the president expressed, “Elise Stefanik, a fantastic person and Congresswoman from New York State, has just announced she won’t be running for Governor. Elise is a tremendous talent, regardless of what she does. She will have GREAT success, and I am with her all the way!”

In her statement, the former chair of the House Republican Conference had expressed gratitude for the support she’d received in her effort to unseat incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) before suggesting, “as we have seen in past elections, while we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, it is not an effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in an challenging state like New York.”

After speaking to the importance of being a mother to her young son, the 41-year-old, who’d entered Congress as the youngest woman elected a representative in 2014, said, “I am incredibly grateful to the people of New York’s 21st District for entrusting me to represent you in the United States Congress. Thank you to my dedicated staff over the past decade. I am proud of the significant results that we successfully delivered for the hardworking families in our district and across America. It has been a tremendous professional honor to serve as your Congresswoman over the past eleven years. Thank you for your support and encouragement as my family and I look forward to the next meaningful personal and professional chapter. God Bless and Merry Christmas.”

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Stefanik, who’d briefly been nominated by the president to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations before withdrawing as a “team player” to help protect the slim majority held by Republicans in the House, had received a considerable number of endorsements over her primary opponent, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

It remained to be seen how many of the groups that had thrown their support behind her would likewise back the Long Island politician in his effort to end Hochul’s tenure in Albany.

His own statement on the announcement read in part, “I want to thank Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for her outstanding service to the people of New York and to all Americans. Throughout her time in public office, Congresswoman Stefanik has been a strong voice for common-sense values, national security, and economic opportunity, and her leadership has earned the respect of people across our state and our country.”

Meanwhile, as Hochul’s policies had helped continue the exodus of New Yorkers struggling with violent crime and burdensome tax rates, a statement from her spokesperson, Ryan Radulovacki, attempted to spin the announcement in favor of the governor as he said, “Elise Stefanik has finally acknowledged reality: If you run against Governor Kathy Hochul, you are going to lose. As Donald Trump raises costs on New Yorkers and targets this state relentlessly, Governor Hochul has cut middle-class taxes, put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, and fought this administration and won when New York has come under attack.”

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Among those sounding off in support of the congresswoman’s decision, former Stefanik communications director and current White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted to X, “Elise Stefanik has been an incredible advocate for the people of her district in Upstate New York, and she will always be a true friend to President Trump. On a personal note, Elise is my former boss. She is a great leader, and an even better person. We love you, @EliseStefanik!”

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Kevin Haggerty
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