Trump endorses rival against Idaho Gov. Brad Little

A spokesperson for Little did not immediately return a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Republican Governors Association noted that the RGA supports its incumbent governors, but did not comment further.

McGeachin wrote in a tweet that it was “a great honor” to receive Trump’s endorsement, and that there’s “much more to come from the two of us.”

Big problem for Little: Trump’s endorsement of McGeachin could present an existential challenge for Republicans. Unlike other Republican governors the now-former president has raged against — including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine — Little has done little to draw Trump’s ire, at least publicly.

Recently, Little tweeted that it was “an honor to be recognized” by Trump at an event. Trump gave Little a brief shoutout at a gala for the America First Policy Institute, a nonprofit closely aligned with the former president, held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate on Nov. 4.

“We also have Gov. Brad Little, who is a terrific gentleman,” Trump said a week ago. “Thank you Brad. He’s working on a project.”

Trump’s endorsement suggests that deference may not be enough to stop the former president from cannon-balling into any election.

Ximena Bustillo contributed to this report.