Donald Trump decided to endorse “ERIC” for the Republican party’s ticket for Missouri’s US Senate seat. But Eric who? The name is shared by two competitors, both of whom are now thanking the former President for his support. 

Eric Greitens and Eric Schmitt are contesting Missouri’s open US Senate seat in the August 2 primary election. There is also Eric McElroy on the Missouri ballot, however, the little-known candidate has not spoken about Trump’s endorsement goof-up.

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“I trust the Great People of Missouri, on this one, to make up their own minds, much as they did when they gave me landslide victories in the 2016 and 2020 Elections, and I am therefore proud to announce that ERIC has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”, Trump’s statement on Monday read.

Hours after the statement was released, both the Erics jumped into action and thanked Trump for his endorsement. “Honored to have the support of President Trump! We will MAGA!”, Eric Greitens wrote.

“I’m grateful for President Trump’s endorsement. As the only America First candidate who has actually fought for election integrity, border security & against the Left’s indoctrination of our kids—I’ll take that fight to the Senate to SAVE AMERICA!”, Eric Schmitt wrote.

So which Eric is it? 

While no follow-up statement has been released by Trump so far, both Senate candidates have claimed the endorsement for themselves. Eric Greitens said that he spoke to Trump after the endorsement was announced.

“President Trump said it best when he characterized Schmitt’s campaign as ‘great dishonesty in politics’”, Greitens wrote on Twitter.

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Allies of both the US Senate candidates also argued on social media claiming that the endorsement was for their campaign leader. Both called each other “frauds.”

An unnamed Trump adviser told NBC News: “Instead of talking about Missouri, the Erics are debating what Trump’s endorsement means.” The adviser called it an “epic troll.”