If you thought Oklahoma’s Republican governor’s race was going to be civil, that fantasy ended the moment Donald Trump logged onto Truth Social.
In a post that immediately sent shockwaves through Oklahoma political circles, Trump referred to Governor Kevin Stitt as a “RINO Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma.” He reminded readers that Stitt once called him for help when he was trailing in his previous race and said he endorsed him “barely,” crediting himself with Stitt’s win.
Then came the kicker.
Trump accused Stitt of misrepresenting details about a White House governor’s dinner and suggested he was chasing “cheap publicity.” He closed by saying Oklahoma would soon have a governor who knows how to “accurately write a press release.”
That is not subtle. That is not private. That is a public rebuke from the most influential Republican in the country.
And in Oklahoma, that matters.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond was quick to seize the moment. He publicly thanked Trump for “calling it out” and declared flatly that Kevin Stitt is a RINO. Drummond positioned himself as the clear Trump ally in the race, reminding voters that he has contributed $75,000 to Trump’s campaign and sued the Biden administration multiple times.
He then turned the spotlight on fellow candidates Charles McCall and Chip Keating, asking when they would admit where they stand. His message was simple. Are you America First or not?
But the crossfire did not stop there.
Charles McCall fired back at Drummond, accusing him of being a Biden donor and linking him to the Lincoln Project. McCall argued that Oklahomans would not be fooled by “born-again conservatives” suddenly claiming Trump loyalty. Drummond denied ever donating to Joe Biden and called the accusation a lie, pointing again to his lawsuits against the Biden administration.
This was no longer just Trump versus Stitt. It was every major Republican contender drawing lines in the sand.
And here is where it gets important.
The attacks flying around right now are not brand new. For weeks, these candidates have been publicly questioning each other’s conservative credentials.
In a separate exchange prior to Trump’s Truth Social post, Chip Keating criticized McCall over his legislative record, including allegations about a major tax vote and concerns surrounding foreign land ownership in Oklahoma. Those criticisms were not tied directly to Trump’s comments, but they show the broader tone of this race.
This governor’s race was already heated before Trump stepped in. His involvement simply poured gasoline on an already burning fire.
So what is really happening here?
On the surface, it looks like social media drama. Politicians calling each other out. Accusations of being RINOs. Claims of Biden ties. References to lawsuits, donations, and voting records.
But underneath the noise is a deeper question.
Are these candidates longtime conservatives whose records consistently reflect their rhetoric? Or are some recalibrating now that Trump has signaled his displeasure with the sitting governor?
Drummond is clearly leaning into Trump alignment.
McCall is pushing back on Drummond’s past affiliations.
Stitt is now publicly at odds with Trump.
Keating is highlighting policy and record-based critiques that predate the Trump flare-up.
For Republican primary voters in Oklahoma, Trump loyalty is not a side issue. It is central. That is why this moment feels bigger than just a few heated posts.
When Trump calls a sitting Republican governor a RINO, it forces everyone else in the race to declare where they stand.
But voters should look beyond the tweets.
What do the campaign finance records show?
What do the legislative votes reveal?
Who has consistently governed as a conservative, and who is responding to the political temperature of the moment?
This race is no longer just about policy differences. It is about authenticity. It is about alignment. It is about whether the conservative label being claimed today matches the record built over years.
The mudslinging will continue. The posts will keep coming. The accusations will get sharper.
The real question for Oklahoma voters is this.
Do you believe these candidates have been conservative all along? Or are we watching a scramble to prove credentials now that Trump has entered the arena?
Because in this primary, perception may be powerful.
The Mics are Off, but the Talk Never Stops
OK GOP Uncovered
