Former President Donald Trump is being dogpiled by supporters and facing heavy backlash over claims he was played by the establishment GOP following his endorsement of Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania for the US Senate ahead of the Republican primary.

“This is all about winning elections in order to stop the Radical Left maniacs from destroying our Country,” Trump asserted in a statement. “I have known Dr. Oz for many years, as have many others, even if only through his very successful television show. He has lived with us through the screen and has always been popular, respected, and smart.”

“He even said that I was in extraordinary health, which made me like him even more (although he also said I should lose a couple of pounds!),” Trump joked.