2022 Campaign: 'Chosen by President Trump' Mailer Drew Complaints of Deception
Why This Matters for NY-23
How someone campaigns tells you something about how they’ll govern. A mailer proclaiming “CHOSEN BY PRESIDENT TRUMP” with an Oval Office photo — when Trump hadn’t endorsed him for Congress — establishes a pattern. The campaign’s defense: technically accurate because “chosen” referred to a 2019 party chairman selection, not the congressional race. This “technically accurate but creates false impression” approach has continued throughout Langworthy’s tenure on multiple issues documented on this site.
Statement
Source: Conservative Party Mailer, Langworthy Campaign Text Messages, July 2022 Reported by: Politico, Breitbart
The New York State Conservative Party sent voters a mailer featuring a photo of Langworthy with Trump in the Oval Office captioned “CHOSEN BY PRESIDENT TRUMP” with text stating: “Chosen by President Trump to lead Republicans in the fight against New York’s radical liberals, Nick Langworthy has a proven record of defeating Democrats and advancing our America First agenda.”
A Langworthy campaign fundraising text stated: “President Trump called on Nick Langworthy to lead Republicans in the fight against New York’s radical liberals.”
The Timeline
2019: Trump supported Langworthy becoming New York State Republican Party Chairman
August 23, 2022: Republican primary for NY-23 Congressional seat
- Trump had NOT endorsed any candidate in the primary
- Langworthy faced Carl Paladino
- “CHOSEN BY PRESIDENT TRUMP” mailer circulated during primary
October 21, 2022: Trump formally endorsed Langworthy—two months after the primary
Documented Complaints
Michael Caputo (former Trump HHS spokesperson, longtime Trump confidant, Paladino ally):
- Called the wording “deceptive”
- “I find Nick’s flirtations with all the synonyms for ’endorsed’ to be offensive. Because it’s clearly meant to confuse voters and that frankly is just not how we do things in Trump world.”
- “The president doesn’t like people doing this.”
Politico reported: “Multiple people close to Trump said the former president has been made aware of the Langworthy mailer and messages, as have Trump aides.”
Republican operative close to Trump (to Politico): “It has not gone unnoticed in Trump world where nothing gets him angrier than falsely using Trump’s name to claim an endorsement.”
Paladino campaign ad: Accused Langworthy of having “lied to voters about having Trump’s endorsement”
Langworthy Campaign Response
Campaign consultant Chris Grant: Called the language “very accurate and specific” because “Nick never implied that the president has endorsed him for Congress.”
Grant argued the materials referenced Trump’s 2019 support for Langworthy as state party chairman, not an endorsement for Congress.
Context
The mailer’s prominent “CHOSEN BY PRESIDENT TRUMP” headline, Oval Office photo, and text about “leading Republicans” created an impression of current presidential endorsement for the congressional race. The distinction that “chosen” referred to a 2019 party chairman selection—not the 2022 congressional race—was not made clear to voters.
This pattern of technically-accurate-but-misleading communication has continued throughout Langworthy’s congressional tenure across multiple policy areas.
Sources
- Politico: “Charges of fake Trump endorsement roil a GOP primary in New York” (July 28, 2022)
- Breitbart: “GOP Candidate Under Fire for Messaging Implying Trump Endorsement” (July 28, 2022)
- MyTwinTiers: “Donald Trump endorses Nick Langworthy in NY-23 race” (October 21, 2022)
- Paladino Campaign Materials (2022)
Note: This entry documents publicly available information from news reports and campaign materials. Readers may draw their own conclusions.
In Plain Language
During the August 2022 primary, voters received a mailer with “CHOSEN BY PRESIDENT TRUMP” in large letters, featuring a photo of Langworthy with Trump in the Oval Office.
At that time, Trump had not endorsed anyone in the NY-23 primary. Trump’s actual endorsement came in October 2022 — two months after the primary.
The campaign’s explanation: “Chosen” referred to Trump supporting Langworthy for NY State Republican Party Chairman in 2019 — not an endorsement for Congress.
Trump associates didn’t buy it:
- Michael Caputo (former Trump HHS spokesperson): “Deceptive… clearly meant to confuse voters”
- Politico reported Trump was “made aware” of the mailer
- A GOP operative close to Trump: “Nothing gets him angrier than falsely using Trump’s name”
The distinction between “Trump supported me for state party chair three years ago” and “CHOSEN BY PRESIDENT TRUMP” on a congressional campaign mailer is exactly the kind of technically-accurate-but-misleading communication this site documents.
Last updated: December 22, 2025