Was Chuck Norris a Trump Supporter? 5 Key Questions Answered Following His Death at 86
By Sarah Jenkins
Chuck Norris did not start out as a natural Trump loyalist. During the 2008 and 2016 GOP presidential primaries, Norris preferred candidates with explicit, decades-long records of social conservatism. In the 2008 campaign, Norris emerged as the single most visible surrogate for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, appearing in deadpan campaign advertisements and joining Huckabee on the trail across Iowa and South Carolina.
When the 2016 primary race heated up, Norris initially threw his public support behind Huckabee once again. When Huckabee exited the race, Norris took a wait-and-see approach. He expressed skepticism about Trump's bombastic background and past affiliations with New York Democrats. Norris viewed politics through the lens of a traditional Southern Baptist. He cared deeply about school prayer, traditional marriage definitions, and judicial appointments vetted by the Federalist Society.
By late July 2016, however, Norris made his decision clear. Writing in his regular syndicated column, he urged the splintered factions of the Republican Party to unify behind Donald Trump. Norris argued that staying home or backing a third-party alternative would hand the presidency to Hillary Clinton, an outcome he claimed would irrevocably damage the Supreme Court for a generation. Trump welcomed the backing, frequently citing Norris's approval at rallies as proof that Hollywood's toughest icons stood with his "law and order" message.
Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.
