• Trump's former President is playing a significant role in shaping the GOP primaries in key 2022 elections.
• Trump was even compared to Vito Corleone, the mob boss from "The Godfather" by a close friend.
• Former president sought to increase support for candidates in North Carolina and Georgia.

According to CNN, former President Donald Trump has stepped up his efforts to shape the GOP to his liking. He eagerly entered the 2022 Republican primaries in order to support certain candidates and, in some cases, to push for party members he doesn't like.

The former president played a significant role in three states, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, supporting candidates who have won his endorsement, while trying to push for Republicans who didn’t make it.

CNN reports that Trump's close friend even compared him with Vito Corleone, the mob boss from "The Godfather", referring to Trump's efforts to rid the GOP of legislators who had criticized him for his role in January 6 riot.

The individual claims that Trump was "pulling strings behind-the scenes" and guiding candidates in a certain direction.

The former president plans his strategy to get loyalists into key political positions one year before the midterm elections.

According to CNN sources, Trump approached Madison Cawthorn in November to persuade him to stop his bid to be the Tar Heel's next senator. The former president had already endorsed Rep. Ted Budd in that race.

Numerous polls show Walker ahead of Budd and the former governor. Pat McCrory is also running in the primary. Republicans who support Budd believe that he can gain some momentum over McCrory if there's not a split among conservatives.

According to CNN sources, Walker did not reply to CNN about the development. He is now considering shifting gears to a House campaign.

Keep an eye on the Deep South

Trump reportedly asked ex-Sen. David Perdue in Georgia to run for the office of incumbent governor. Next year's Republican primaries will feature Brian Kemp.

Perdue was defeated by now-Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in an important runoff election. However, he has been popular with conservatives for many years.

Trump is still furious that Kemp refused to overturn Biden’s Georgia electoral victory last November. This stance also led Trump to endorse Rep. Jody Hice over the incumbent Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Raffensperger, who testified to the integrity and voting rights of the state during the presidential election was rebuffed by Trump's aggressive attempts to "find" more votes to nullify Biden's victory in the Peach State.

According to a Republican state operative, the former president wants to create a Trump ticket. Herschel Walker, who is also the party's nominee for Senate, and other endorsed candidates for statewide elections are among those involved.

Trump is apparently trying to overthrow a Republican governor in Alabama, a deeply conservative state. Kay Ivey was reported to have canceled a rally scheduled for this summer by The Wall Street Journal.

As a way of continuing to engage with his supporters who support his "Make Again Great Again", political agenda, the former president wanted to host a July 4th weekend rally in Mobile. Local officials expressed concern that the gathering, which was to be held at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, would be too politically charged.

Trump held a rally in Cullman (Ala.) in August. However, he is still unhappy with Ivey's decision and has suggested that he endorse Lynda Blanchard, former US Ambassador to Slovenia, to challenge Ivey in a GOP primary for governor.

Blanchard is currently running to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Richard Shelby. Her exit from the race would likely be in favor of Rep. Mo Brooks who was a staunch Trump ally and received the former president’s endorsement earlier this summer.

Brooks isn't enjoying an easy ride to the nomination despite Trump's approval.

According to CNN sources, the former president complained about the lackluster momentum in the Brooks campaign over the past weeks to his allies.

Shelby also endorsed Katie Britt (his former chief of staff) in the Senate race. Brooks was the winner in fundraising in the most recent quarter.