Republican congressional candidate Madison Cawthorn, who was making a political comeback attempt in Florida with an endorsement from Donald Trump, suffered a heavy defeat despite the president's backing. The result marks another instance of a high-profile Trump-endorsed candidate failing to win over voters, raising questions about the limits of a presidential endorsement in competitive primary races. Cawthorn's campaign had been dogged throughout by damaging allegations, including claims about orgies and other scandalous personal conduct, which opponents used against him.

The North Carolina Republican previously lost his House seat after a series of controversies, including a gun-related incident at an airport and leaked images showing him in lingerie, before attempting to relaunch his political career in Florida. His defeat there, notwithstanding Trump's public support, is being framed as a humiliating setback and adds to a run of losses for candidates who received the former president's blessing in recent contests.