Mitch McConnell (left), Donald Trump.Photo: Oliver Contreras/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Trump’s name-callingcame in a statementmeant to illustrate his support for Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks in the state’s race for U.S. Senate.
On Tuesday, McConnell laughed off the remark,telling CNN: “Actually, it’s quite an honor. Old Crow is Henry Clay’s favorite bourbon.”
Despite being members of the same political party, Trump, 75, and McConnell, 79, have a notoriously strained relationship.
Though a powerful political ally for Trump during his time in office — including shepherding Trump’s numerous judicial appointees — McConnell’s affinity for the then-president soured in the final days of the administration even as McConnell decided against ousting him.
Still, the Kentucky senator lambasted the 45th president for his role in the riots, in which five people died and lawmakers were sent into hiding.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump together in 2017.Drew Angerer/Getty
McConnell also pushed back against Trump’s false claims of election fraud, saying he had his chance to prove those claims in court but failed.
“President Trump claims the election was stolen. The assertions range from specific local allegations to constitutional arguments to sweeping conspiracy theories,” McConnell said. “I supported the president’s right to use the legal system. Dozens of lawsuits received hearings in courtrooms all across our country. But over and over, the courts rejected these claims, including all-star judges whom the president himself has nominated.”
Privately,according toThe Washington Post, McConnell said he didn’t plan to talk to Trump again.
In February, however, his tone seemed to have softened somewhat, with the Senate minority leader tellingBret BaieronFox News’Special Reportthat he would “absolutely” support Trump should the latter be named the Republican nominee in the next presidential election.
According to Punchbowl News, a political website, McConnell’s aides suggested he might have misheard Baier’s question about supporting Trump.
source: people.com
