Trump staffer fired over New Hampshire campaign doubts

Tom Mountain, a former staffer for the Trump campaign in New Hampshire, was dismissed after expressing doubts about the state's winnability in an email to campaign volunteers. He claimed that the campaign had determined New Hampshire was no longer a battleground state and suggested reallocating resources to Pennsylvania, which he deemed crucial for winning the election. Mountain's email indicated that Trump was likely to lose New Hampshire by an even larger margin than in previous elections, where he lost by 2,736 votes in 2016 and 59,277 votes in 2020. In response to Mountain's comments, senior campaign adviser Brian Hughes refuted his claims, asserting that the Trump campaign maintains a strong presence in New Hampshire, including staff and offices. Hughes emphasized that the campaign is focused on winning New Hampshire's four electoral votes, countering Mountain's assertion that the state is unwinnable. He also pointed out that Vice President Kamala Harris is actively campaigning in New Hampshire, indicating its importance in the election. Mountain's suggestion to shift focus to Pennsylvania aligns with the strategic importance of the state, which has the most electoral votes among swing states. The Trump campaign is reportedly investing heavily in Pennsylvania, with a $70.6 million ad buy planned between Labor Day and the election, reflecting its critical status in the electoral landscape. The situation highlights the differing perspectives within the Trump campaign regarding New Hampshire's viability as a battleground state. With the state's history of voting Democratic in presidential elections for over two decades, the campaign's strategy may be pivotal in determining the outcome of the election.