Trump left office almost two years ago but remains a formidable political figure. His rallies are well attended, and while his 2024 political ambitions are as yet undisclosed, many continue to refer to him as the “De-Facto leader of the GOP.” This makes his public feud with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell particularly disconcerting for a party that desires to project unity moving into November’s midterms.
McConnell has largely ignored Trump’s persistent swipes at his leadership but pushed back during a Tuesday interview with CNN.
The pushback came after Trump criticized the senator for approving “Trillions of Dollars worth of Democrat-sponsored Bills.”
In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform earlier this week, Trump noted that he believes the Senate minority leader is supporting Democratic initiatives and increasing the national debt to spite him.
Trump speculated as to why McConnell seemed to be undermining the objectives of his own party. The former president wrote that McConnell was acting irrationally because he “hates Donald J. Trump” or perhaps because he “believes in the Fake and Highly Destructive Green New Deal.”
Trump added: “In any event, either reason is unacceptable,” Trump wrote. “He has a DEATH WISH” and “is willing to take the Country down with him.”
Trump’s comment was not well-received.
Undeterred, McConnell told CNN he is confident he will become “the chamber’s longest-serving party leader despite blistering attacks by former President Donald Trump,” according to the New York Post.
Taking the high road, McConnell simply told CNN: “I have the votes,”
Senator McConnell, 80, has been the ranking Senate Republican since 2007. When asked by CNN about his long-term plans, McConnell declined to say whether he would try to hold his position as GOP leader through the remainder of his Senate term, which ends in 2027.
“I’m not going to go there,” McConnell said. Nevertheless, “I’m confident I’ll be re-elected to another two-year term.”
McConnell also noted he has no intention of retiring early or cutting his Senate term short.
“Oh, I’m certainly going to complete the term I was elected to by the people of Kentucky, no question about that,” said McConnell, who has held his seat since 1985.
Trump’s recent attacks on the senator overflowed to his wife, Elaine Chao, who Trump referred to as “Coco Chow.” Many viewed Trump’s post as racist.
Despite the personal attacks, McConnell declined to be drawn into a war with Trump in the public square. Regarding Trump’s apparent attack on his wife, the senator said:
“The only time I’ve responded to the president, I think, since he left office is when he gave me my favorite nickname, ‘Old Crow,’ which I considered a compliment. And after all, it was Henry Clay’s favorite bourbon.”
Henry Clay was a notable early 19th-century Kentucky politician. He served as speaker of the House, senator and secretary of state.
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