Former President Donald Trump threw his support behind Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) becoming the next speaker of the House as Republicans are poised to take back the majority on Tuesday night.
Trump previously endorsed the California Republican’s reelection bid but had not endorsed him for the leadership position, at times casting doubt about whether he would back him for the role. The former president has now waded into a number of leadership races, telling Fox News that McCarthy has his support as the House GOP conference gears up to hold its closed-door leadership elections next week.
McCarthy also backed House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) for a second term in her position as she faces a challenge from freshman Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL).
While Trump is backing McCarthy, he took aim at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), accusing the Kentucky Republican — whom he has had a turbulent relationship with, repeatedly going after him and his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao — of being a “lousy leader.”
“I think we’ll probably have to live with him for two years,” he said. “And if I run and if I win, I will say, ‘Don’t send me any legislation if he’s the leader,’ and he’ll be out in two minutes.”
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Trump went on to tell the network that he believes National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Rick Scott (R-FL), who has a tense relationship with McConnell and has not ruled out launching a bid against him for his leadership position, is a likely contender as a potential challenger.
“I think Rick Scott is a likely candidate — he hates the guy,” Trump said. “He’s tough — he’s tough, and I think he would probably go for it. He’d have a lot of support.”
