Controversial West Virginia Republican Senate candidate Don Blankenship brushed aside President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's call to vote against him by noting that Trump once urged voters to back a Republican candidate facing allegations of child molestation.

Blankenship, a former coal executive who served a year in prison for a mine safety violation, has been locked in a brutal fight with establishment Republicans. The GOP fears Blankenship's criminal record, as well as his recent incendiary attacks on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Senate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (R-Ky.) and his family, would ruin the party's chances of defeating Sen. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court MORE (D) in the fall.

That concern prompted Trump himself to tweet to his followers on Monday morning to vote for either of Blankenship's opponents in Tuesday's primary.

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"To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, can’t win the General Election in your State...No way! Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey!" Trump tweeted.

To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, can’t win the General Election in your State...No way! Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018

Hours later, Blankenship hit back.

"We all really like President Trump's policies, but we know he doesn't get things right. He recommended people vote for a guy that was basically accused of pedophilia in Alabama, my accuser is Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaMichelle Obama and Jennifer Lopez exchange Ginsburg memories Pence defends Trump's 'obligation' to nominate new Supreme Court justice The militia menace MORE and Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE, it's not anyone that I've damaged," he said Monday during an interview the campaign paid to air on WZTS TV in West Virginia.

"It's really sad that the pressure on the president and the misinformation and the untruths he's been given would cause him to suggest that you vote for two guys that have failed you, because I will not fail you if I get to D.C."

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Blankenship is referring to Trump's support for Roy Moore Roy Stewart MooreVulnerable Senate Democrat urges unity: 'Not about what side of the aisle we're on' Sessions hits back at Trump days ahead of Alabama Senate runoff Judge allows Roy Moore lawsuit over Sacha Baron Cohen prank to proceed MORE, who won the Republican nomination in December's special Senate election in Alabama. Trump and the Republican National Committee stood by Moore even as allegations of child molestation and sexual assault surfaced in the final weeks before the election. Moore ultimately lost his race to now-Sen. Doug Jones (D).

The West Virginian has regularly argued that the government was responsible for the explosion at his mine that killed 29 people and has gone on to accuse the Obama administration's Justice Department of seeking a politically motivated prosecution of him.

The Moore comparisons come as Republicans try to argue to voters that Blankenship would be as risky a choice as Moore, a candidate who lost a deep-red Senate seat to the Democrats.