Did President Trump Snub Stacy Garrity? Depends On Who You Ask
During his 94-minute talk on Tuesday night in the Poconos, President Donald Trump recognized a lot of people, including two local individuals from the audience.
He acknowledged three Pennsylvania members of Congress – Reps. Ryan Mackenzie (R-07), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), and Dan Meuser (PA-09) – but failed to point out State Treasurer Stacy Garrity – the presumed Republican candidate for governor – despite her attendance at the Mount Airy Casino Resort.
Wednesday morning quarterbacks are asking the obvious question – was this intentional?
Depends on who you ask.
“It was an official event, correct?,” asked Republican strategist Chris Nicholas. “Perhaps he was focused on the federal officials.”
Nicholas is accurate in pointing out that this was publicized as an economic address, not a campaign rally. Although to most observers, it resembled the latter more than the former despite White House claims.
Trump, who offered his endorsement to Meuser in his short-lived candidacy for governor, doubled down on that backing, saying that the NEPA representative “would have won if ran.”
Could this have been the reason that Garrity was not acknowledged?
Or was it something more devious?
“Treasurer Garrity was proud to attend President Trump’s speech last night in Mount Pocono,” said campaign spokesman Matt Beynon in an email. “Stacy Garrity will be a partner working with President Trump to turn Pennsylvania’s economy around, not obsessed with take him to court like Josh Shapiro. Under Josh Shapiro’s failed administration, Pennsylvania ranks 38th economically and 41st overall. That is unacceptable. Josh Shapiro has taken his eye off the ball because he is more focused on running for President in 2028 than fixing the problems facing Pennsylvania families in 2025.”
Pennsylvania Democrats will have you think it was planned.
In a statement, PADems wrote, “Pennsylvanians heard many things in Donald Trump’s alternative reality side show last night, from Trump’s favorite word “tariffs” to praise for a North Carolina Senate candidate, but there was no mention of Stacy Garrity – despite her years of fully embracing Trump and his policies that are killing jobs, hurting local businesses, and stripping away health care.
“Even without a “thank you” last night, self-described “Chump for Trump” Garrity goes out of her way to support his disastrous agenda – from the irrational tariffs that are raising our costs and killing jobs, to the drastic health care cuts and threats to rural hospitals across the Commonwealth.”
Muhlenberg College professor of political science Chris Borick acknowledged that while Trump may have focused on the midterms and protecting the Republican majority, it was still worth noting that Garrity did not get a shout out as well.
“The President acknowledges a slew of folks so not giving a nod to Garrity is an interesting omission given her embrace by the state GOP,” said Borick in an email. “I think we will be talking quite a bit about how the Trump-Garrity relationship factors into the race next year.”
Franklin & Marshall College government professor Stephen Medvic said that this is much about nothing.
“It’s relatively early in the process and the White House may just want to see how things develop and what the field will ultimately look like,” he said in a text. “From Garrity’s perspective, you’d want recognition (if not an endorsement) as early as possible. But from Trump’s perspective, it’s probably wise to wait and see.”
Garrity has not cleared the field as of yet, as Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano is still holding out that he may enter the race.
Mastriano, who was defeated by Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2022, has not commented on Garrity’s omission last night, but did share with Eric Bolling on ‘Real America’s Voice’ that another run at the governor’s mansion for him is “still on the table.”
“We’re still praying on [the decision] as it is a life-changing decision. We’ll definitely win the primary. The general election is a problem, because Shapiro is really supported by Democrats in Hollywood. He received $80 million. It’s really hard to get your message out when he’s outspending a Republican, 10-to-1.”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday gave Garrity his official backing on Wednesday.
“Pennsylvania needs leaders who put service over self, which is the hallmark of Stacy Garrity’s life,” Sunday said in a statement. “From her time serving our country in the Army, her experience in the private sector and now as our State Treasurer, Stacy has always worked tirelessly to better her community. I’m proud to endorse Stacy Garrity for Governor so that all Pennsylvanians can benefit from her boundless energy and her selfless service that will make a better and safer Pennsylvania for all.”
