Spokesman Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday declared Donald J. Trump the “strongest political opponent” against President Biden, adding to make clear his loyalty to the former president just hours after suggesting in a televised interview that Mr. Trump he might not be the best Republican presidential candidate. positioned to prevail in the 2024 elections.
The hasty attempt to ingratiate himself with Mr. Trump underscores Mr. Trump’s fear. McCarthy to alienate the former president as he struggles to hold together his fractured House majority and withstand growing pressure from right-wing lawmakers loyal to Mr. trump And it reflected the precarious position of Mr. McCarthy, who has not endorsed Mr. Trump or any other candidate, as the GOP presidential primaries take shape.
His latest troubles began Tuesday morning when, during an interview with CNBC, Mr. McCarthy wondered if it would be good for the party to have Mr. Trump as a presidential candidate given his legal problems.
“Can he win this election? Yes, he can win this election,” Mr. McCarthy said. “The question is whether he is the strongest to win the election; I don’t know the answer to that.”
The comment upset allies of Mr. Trump, prompting an urgent effort by Mr. McCarthy to step back. He reached out to right-wing news outlet Breitbart News for an exclusive interview in which he said the former president was “stronger today than he was in 2016” and blamed the media for “trying to create a rift between President Trump and the House.” republicans”.
“The only reason Biden is using his armed federal government to go after President Trump is because he is Biden’s strongest political opponent, as the polls continue to show,” McCarthy told Breitbart in comments that later provided as a written statement.
Mr. McCarthy also called Mr. Trump on Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the exchange, two of whom characterized the conversation as an apology.
Immediate damage control reflected Mr. Mr. McCarthy Trump as he faced criticism from his right flank and how his alliance with the conservative media ecosystem has helped isolate him. In the past, Breitbart has helped wage public campaigns against top Republican leaders, including McCarthy’s predecessors John A. Boehner and Paul D. Ryan, who refused to bend to the will of the far right of the match
But Mr. McCarthy has cultivated a relationship with the website. His story Tuesday highlighted Mr. Mr. McCarthy Trump and accused the mainstream media of taking his comments out of context.
Mr. McCarthy has not officially endorsed Mr. Trump and has been advised by people like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a frequent outside adviser, not to.
Even so, his role as speaker at critical turning points has depended on the support of Mr. Trump, which could easily exacerbate tensions between Mr. McCarthy and far-right lawmakers encouraging them to challenge his leadership. Mr. McCarthy has been careful not to show the light of day between himself and the former president.
In trying to hold together his fragile majority, Mr. McCarthy has at key moments allowed the House to become the instrument of revenge and retaliation for Mr. trump
He saved Alvin L. Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney, even before Mr. Trump was formally indicted in New York on charges of orchestrating a cover-up of a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. He also authorized three of the presidents of his commission to insert themselves in the criminal investigation and demanded that the prosecutor provide communications, documents and witnesses.
Mr. McCarthy has also railed against the Justice Department for charging Mr. Trump over his handling of classified documents. Last week he said he supported a resolution calling for the removal of the two impeachments of Mr. trump
Mr. McCarthy has a cordial, if not close, relationship with Mr. Trump, whom he has credited with helping him win the tight race for speaker.
Tuesday’s dust up recalled another far more dramatic case when Mr. McCarthy was quick to document a potential rift between himself and Mr. trump
After taking to the House floor after the January 6, 2021 Capitol assault to say Mr Trump “is responsible” for the attack, Mr McCarthy sought to mend his relationship with the man who remained the most popular politician. force to the right
Just over a week after Mr. Trump left the White House, Mr. McCarthy paid him a visit at Mar-a-Lago, smiling and presenting what has remained a united front.
