Then-President Trump (right) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has hinted that he does not want to continue his feud with former President Donald Trump, did not comment on criticism in Trump’s recent speech.
Trump sharply questioned McConnell’s party leadership during an appearance at a Republican donor event last weekend; a few weeks ago, Trump also sharply criticized the Senate Republican leader in a public statement.
When asked about the former president’s comments, McConnell said Tuesday (April 13), “I’m focused on the future.”
“We’re dealing with an administration that’s completely leftist, coupled with a slight majority in the House and a 50-50 split in the Senate, trying to turn America into what – in the past – nobody supported at all.” McConnell continued.
McConnell’s remarks came just after Florida Republican U.S. Senator Rick Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), presented Trump with the Champion of Freedom Award.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune, McConnell’s deputy, said Tuesday that McConnell harbors no negative feelings toward Trump and hopes the spat will end.
The Hill reported that’s why McConnell didn’t respond to reporters’ questions at Tuesday’s press conference and hit back at Trump.
“Right now, it’s kind of a one-sided thing. The leader (McConnell) is not hostile, and he has made it very clear that he wants to work with the president to regain the majority.” Thune said Tuesday.
A few weeks ago, McConnell published an opinion piece criticizing Trump’s election fraud claims and saying that was the reason Republicans lost two Georgia Senate seats on Jan. 5.
Thune said he wished Trump would stop criticizing McConnell, but there’s no way to change the way Trump does things.
“I think we just need to try to adapt and focus on our goal of winning back the majority in 2022.” Thune said of Trump’s behavior.
McConnell and other Republican leaders still believe Trump is important to revitalize the Republican base and motivate rural and working-class white voters, groups that don’t always turn out to vote.
Republicans face a difficult challenge in 2022, with 20 Republican seats up for re-election and 14 Democratic seats.
The Hill reports that Democrats may have a chance to challenge seats in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and Wisconsin, while Republicans will go on the offensive in Arizona, Georgia, New Hampshire and Nevada.
Thune said he is “hopeful that the president and the leader will come to an understanding at some point.”
“The leader (McConnell) said that President Trump is venting his anger and we’re going to fight in 2022 and hopefully the team is all on the same page.” He said.
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