‘Cold War’ Between Trump and McConnell So Toxic McConnell Had to Just Issue a Statement Denying It
Feud Between Trump and McConnell Grows Worse
The relationship between President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has become toxic, showing just how incompetent the Republican Party is at governing. The New York Times on Tuesday described it as a “locked in a political cold war” and an “uneasy governing alliance” that “has curdled into a feud of mutual resentment and sometimes outright hostility, complicated by the position of Mr. McConnell’s wife, Elaine L. Chao, in Mr. Trump’s cabinet.”
The Times, which noted the two top Republicans have not spoken in weeks, went on to say “McConnell has privately expressed uncertainty that Mr. Trump will be able to salvage his administration after a series of summer crises.” It also said McConnell isn’t sure if trump will serve a full term in office.
Hours later, in his off-the-rail campaign speech in Phoenix, Trump badgered McConnell to end the filibuster, lamenting that Republicans have to rely on eight Democrats to pass legislation. (Trump ignored that he and McConnell could not convince even 50 Senators to vote to repeal ObamaCare, fortunately.)
Trump followed it up with a tweet Wednesday morning.
If Republican Senate doesn’t get rid of the Filibuster Rule & go to a simple majority, which the Dems would do, they are just wasting time!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2017
The media has been abuzz since the Times report, with cable news shows leading with the story.
Wednesday afternoon a well-known right wing blog, Hot Air, revealed McConnell’s approval rating nationally is at 9%. And just 18% in his home state of Kentucky.
Literally two hours later, McConnell’s office sent out a press release pushing back the “rumors” (leaked by a McConnell ally, his former chief of staff) that the President and the Majority Leader are fighting.
“The President and I, and our teams, have been and continue to be in regular contact about our shared goals,” the statement reads.Â
McConnell statement on Trump and Trump feud pic.twitter.com/BA7Au2RMo3
— Sam Stein (@samstein) August 23, 2017
“We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we are committed to advancing our shared agenda together and anyone who suggests otherwise is clearly not part of the conversation,” it concludes.
CNN Wednesday afternoon reports Trump has “no plans” to meet with McConnell before Labor Day.
The White House is scheduling meetings between the President and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell during the first week back for Congress, a senior White House official told CNN on Wednesday, signaling that despite tense relations, the two are not expected to meet before Labor Day.
CNN’s Senior Congressional Reporter yesterday:
Sources confirm to me Trump blew up and swore at McConnell at not just Russia probe but also Russia sanctions bill. https://t.co/it94dACfae
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 22, 2017
The New York Times article also said Trump had “berated” McConnell “in a phone call that quickly devolved into a profane shouting match.” During the call Trump blasted McConnell for what the Times described as “bungling” the ObamaCare repeal vote,  and saying Trump “was even more animated about what he intimated was the Senate leader’s refusal to protect him from investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 election.”
More:
Never forget that McConnell was the one who refused to let Obama make a bipartisan annoucement warning the nation of Trump’s Russia ties. https://t.co/Vw16ksyL4Z
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) August 22, 2017
Trump was whipped up by learning about the @alexburnsNYT @jmartNYT McConnell story, per multiple ppl who spoke w him https://t.co/YwdDjVvoJD
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 23, 2017
Reminder: just a few hours ago NYT story broke w a McConnell ally threatening impeachment for Trump if he went after GOP. #timeisnow
— Neera Tanden🖖🼠(@neeratanden) August 23, 2017
McConnell says don’t worry about debt ceiling, but Trump threatens a veto and they’re not talking to each other. So maybe do worry a little.
— Binyamin Appelbaum (@BCAppelbaum) August 23, 2017
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