Former President Donald Trump has intensified his involvement in the Oklahoma gubernatorial race by issuing a sharp critique of Attorney General Gentner Drummond. In a statement released Tuesday, Trump referred to Drummond as a "fake Republican," a move intended to consolidate support for his preferred candidate, former state senator and budget secretary Mike Mazzei.

The two candidates, Mazzei and Drummond, advanced to the late-August runoff following the results of the June primary election. Trump’s intervention is part of a broader effort to influence state-level GOP contests by backing candidates who align closely with his political platform. By labeling Drummond a "fake Republican," Trump is attempting to frame the choice for voters as a test of ideological purity within the party.

While the primary results established the current runoff matchup, the rhetoric surrounding the race has become increasingly polarized. Trump’s endorsement of Mazzei remains a central factor in the campaign, as the former president seeks to maintain his influence over the Republican Party's direction in Oklahoma. Drummond’s campaign has not yet issued a formal response to the specific "fake Republican" characterization, though the label is a common rhetorical device used by Trump to distance himself from opponents in contested primaries.