Trump heavily aligned with former college football coach Tuberville against Sessions, who the president has frequently criticized after his decision to recuse himself from the FBI investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Lampooning Sessions in the run up to the vote, Trump branded him “a disaster who has let us all down,” while he also urged him to drop out of the race.

Tuberville won the run off contest on Tuesday, in a victory which could also be seen as a reflection of Trump’s sway among Republicans amid his popularity slipping in recent months.

In a call after his win, Tuberville told Trump: “I appreciate your support, because this is as much about you as it is me.”

To which the president responded, in footage captured by RSBN correspondent Jordan Parker: “I know, we were both on the line, and you had great courage and strength.”

David Mowery, a Montgomery political consultant who has worked on Democratic and Republican campaigns, previously told Newsweek following the primary that “Trump’s endorsement carries the day.”

Samantha Zager, deputy national press secretary for the Trump campaign, said that a Trump endorsement brings “unmatched enthusiasm for the candidates,” in a previous statement to Newsweek.

Tuberville, a first-time political candidate, will now move forward to take on Democratic incumbent Doug Jones in a bid to take his seat in the Senate in November.

Welcoming his victory with a post on Twitter, Trump said: “Tommy Tuberville WON big against Jeff Sessions. Will be a GREAT Senator for the incredible people of Alabama.”

Tuberville after the vote said in a speech that Alabama’s “message of change is loud and clear.”

He also branded Trump the “best president in my lifetime.”

He congratulated Sessions and his supporters on a “hard fought campaign.”

Sessions, who previously served in the Senate for several terms having been first elected in 1996 and re-elected three times, also congratulated Tuberville.

“I want to congratulate Tommy Tuberville on his victory tonight,” he tweeted. “He is our Republican nominee. We must all stand behind him in November.”

He previously rejected criticism from Trump, branding the president’s comments juvenile.

“I’ve taken the road less travelled. Not sought fame or fortune. My honor and integrity are far more important than these juvenile insults,” he tweeted.

Newsweek has contacted Tuberville and the Trump campaigns for comment.