The controversial former governor ran into a Trump ally in Orlando, Fla., who jokingly offered him tickets to a Trump-hosted private reception — but with a catch: He had to tweet out his opposition to the former president’s archnemesis, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell .

No problem, Greitens laughed: He’d already said he wouldn’t support McConnell as Republican leader if elected, and he didn’t mind saying it again. After firing off a tweet declaring “No More RINOs [Republicans in Name Only]. I’m not voting for Mitch McConnell,” Greitens snapped up a pair of tickets and headed into Trump’s closed-door event.

The moment illustrates how Greitens — who resigned as governor in 2018 after his hairdresser accused him of sexually assaulting her — has gained favor with Trump and some in his inner circle. Greitens has staunchly aligned himself with the former president, become a favorite of the pro-Trump media universe, and distinguished himself as one of the few Republican Senate candidates willing to speak out against McConnell. Now, Trump, who in the past has privately criticized the former governor over the scandal that led to his downfall, is telling people he’s open to endorsing Greitens — despite fears among other powerful Republicans that the Missouri Republican is the only GOP candidate who could potentially lose the seat in November.