Donald Trump jumped back into the public eye on Tuesday night to draw a line in the sand between himself and the Republican establishment, delivering a statement absolutely ravaging Mitch McConnell as “a dour, sullen and unsmiling political hack.”
Trump lashed out at the Senate Minority Leader for the party’s loss of the majority, attacked him for being weak on China, and threatened to campaign for his own “America First” candidates in primaries if they are not backed by the GOP.
“The Republican Party can never again be respected or strong with political ‘leaders’ like Sen. Mitch McConnell at its helm,” the statement reads.
“McConnell’s dedication to business as usual, status quo policies, together with his lack of political insight, wisdom, skill, and personality, has rapidly driven him from Majority Leader to Minority Leader, and it will only get worse.”
Trump’s message, delivered by the Save America PAC, went on to suggest McConnell “doesn’t have what it takes, never did, and never will.”
“Mitch is a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack, and if Republican Senators are going to stay with him, they will not win again,” the former President warned. “He will never do what needs to be done, or what is right for our Country.”
BREAKING: President Trump Releases Statement Slamming Mitch McConnell
Vows to back America First primary candidates pic.twitter.com/sBNsio5Xwz
— Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) February 16, 2021
RELATED: Polls: Majority Of Republicans Want Trump In 2024, Prefer He Play Big Role In GOP’s Future
Trump Eviscerates Mitch McConnell
If you can believe it, one report indicates aides to former President Trump had to tone down the blistering statement against Mitch McConnell.
“There was also a lot of repetitive stuff and definitely something about him having too many chins but not enough smarts,” a source told Politico.
The statement comes as McConnell has been incredibly vocal of his disdain for Trump and his alleged role in the Capitol riot, despite his vote to acquit him at the Senate impeachment trial.
McConnell practically provided a roadmap for Democrats who are now suing the former President.
“We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation,” the Kentucky Republican said adding Trump “didn’t get away with anything, yet.”
“We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation,” McConnell said.
Inspiring Rep. Bennie Thompson to go and have his day in court. https://t.co/HI3phW2uoS
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) February 16, 2021
RELATED: Dem Congressman Files Lawsuit Against Trump For His Alleged Role In Capitol Riot
America First vs. America Last
Mitch McConnell has warned that he will not support Trump-backed candidates such as Kelli Ward in Arizona and the former President’s daughter-in-law Lara in North Carolina.
“My goal is, in every way possible, to have nominees representing the Republican Party who can win in November,” McConnell told Politico.
“Some of them may be people the former president likes. Some of them may not be. The only thing I care about is electability.”
Judging by the lack of performance by Republicans in Congress, McConnell isn’t lying that ‘electability’ is the only thing he cares about.
Graham on Fox says he spoke to Trump last night. “He’s ready to move on and rebuild the Republican Party. He’s excited about 2022. And I’m going to go down to talk with him next week, play a little golf in Florida. And I said Mr. President this MAGA movement needs to continue.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 14, 2021
Donald Trump certainly has the backing of Republican voters over Mitch McConnell, and thus likely the political clout for his “America First” candidates to have success.
A pair of polls from earlier this week indicate a vast majority of GOP voters want to see Trump play a big role in the future of the party, including running again in 2024.
“Where necessary and appropriate, I will back primary rivals who espouse Making America Great Again and our policy of America First,” Trump’s statement reads.
“We want brilliant, strong, thoughtful, and compassionate leadership.”
It’s clear Trump doesn’t think McConnell fits that description any longer.
