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From ABC News: For years, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s distaste for former President Donald Trump has been characterized through calculated restraint, but in a new biography on McConnell set to be released next week, McConnell criticizes the former president in no uncertain terms, at varying points calling Trump “stupid,” “ill-tempered,” a “narcissist” and a “despicable human being.”
With less than two weeks until an Election Day that could see Trump return to the White House, McConnell, who has served as his party’s leader in the Senate for a record-breaking 17 years, says Trump’s MAGA movement has “done a lot of damage” to the Republican Party and turned it into something that former President Ronald Reagan “wouldn’t recognize.”
ABC News has obtained an advance copy of the book “The Price of Power” by Associated Press Deputy Washington Bureau Chief Michael Tackett. The book offers a thorough treatment of McConnell’s life starting with his early polio affliction and ending with his looming departure from leadership after the upcoming election. His exit from his position atop his conference is colored by his fracture from Trump and the direction he has taken the party.
“I know I can’t influence the broad Republican Party, but I have influence here, and I’m going to use it because I think this is important to the country, and I think the MAGA movement is completely wrong,” McConnell says in the book.
In the book, McConnell reportedly outlines his “dissatisfaction with Trump” leading up to and following the 2020 election.
CNN also reported on McConnell’s upcoming book, and quoted an excerpt in which he trashed Trump’s followers.
“Trump is appealing to people who haven’t been as successful as other people and providing an excuse for that, that these more successful people have somehow been cheated, and you don’t deserve to think of yourself as less successful because things haven’t been fair,” McConnell reportedly stated in the book.
“Whatever I may have said about President Trump pales in comparison to what JD Vance, Lindsey Graham, and others have said about him, but we are all on the same team now,” McConnell claimed in a statement to both ABC News and CNN.
In early March, McConnell announced his endorsement for Trump after realizing it was clear he would be the Republican nominee for 2024.
“It is abundantly clear that former President Trump has earned the requisite support of Republican voters to be our nominee for President of the United States. It should come as no surprise that as nominee, he will have my support,” McConnell said in his endorsement in March.
“During his Presidency, we worked together to accomplish great things for the American people including tax reform that supercharged our economy and a generational change of our federal judiciary – most importantly, the Supreme Court,” he added.
Now, less than two weeks ahead of the presidential election, McConnell comes out with a book that not only throws Trump completely under the bus, but insults MAGA supporters as well.
I’ve given Mitch McConnell every benefit of the doubt over the years. But this is insane. With Republicans like this, who needs Democrats? https://t.co/T0hzyYvvEu
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) October 24, 2024
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) unleashed his fury over the news on social media. He wrote:
1. McConnell’s attacks on Donald Trump & Rick Scott are indefensible. Those running for Senate GOP leadership posts need to weigh in on this & commit never to sabotage Republican candidates & colleagues—particularly those who are less than two weeks away from a close election.
2. We must have clarity from the candidates running to replace McConnell on where they stand on these attacks. They must be clear on how they plan to lead the conference, and on the role of its members.
2. We must have clarity from the candidates running to replace McConnell on where they stand on these attacks. They must be clear on how they plan to lead the conference, and on the role of its members
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) October 24, 2024
3. The Senate Republican leader is supposed to help Republicans, not undermine them. Sadly, we’ve had too much of the latter. That must end now.
4. Remember: McConnell’s superpac has withheld campaign support from Ted Cruz and Rick Scott this election season, an incomprehensible move for a Senate GOP “strong leader” who wants to keep Texas and Florida and gain a majority in the Senate.
4. Remember: McConnell’s superpac has withheld campaign support from Ted Cruz and Rick Scott this election season, an incomprehensible move for a Senate GOP “strong leader” who wants to keep Texas and Florida and gain a majority in the Senate
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) October 24, 2024
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) responded, “Underscores the need for a new Senate Republican leader.”
“Indeed it does. Soon,” Sen. Lee replied.
Indeed it does. Soon.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) October 24, 2024
“Does seem bizarre,” Elon Musk commented.
“Yes, and that’s putting it politely!” Lee declared.
Yes, and that’s putting it politely!
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) October 24, 2024
Responding to another comment about who is running to replace McConnell as Senate GOP Leader, Lee explained, “The three running for the top leadership position are John Cornyn, Rick Scott, and John Thune. Others could theoretically get in at the last minute, but that seems unlikely at this point.”
The three running for the top leadership position are John Cornyn, Rick Scott, and John Thune. Others could theoretically get in at the last minute, but that seems unlikely at this point.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) October 24, 2024
For years, Sen. Mitch McConnell’s distaste for former Pres. Donald Trump has been characterized through calculated restraint, but in a new biography on McConnell set to be released next week, McConnell criticizes the former president in no uncertain terms. https://t.co/j3O99lV3jU
— ABC News (@ABC) October 25, 2024
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