Trump's kingmaker clout faces fresh test in Republican runoffs

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- US President Donald Trump's grip on Republican voters faces its latest high-stakes test as his handpicked candidates fight knife-edge primary runoffs after a losing streak and sagging poll numbers that have dulled his kingmaker shine. Ten Trump-endorsed candidates have been beaten in Republican contests this cycle -- six in August alone -- matching the combined total from the 2018, 2020 and 2024 primaries, according to CNN. The setbacks come as Trump's own political standing