GOP senators reportedly aren't on board with Trump's push to end McConnell's leadership run
Former President Donald Trump has spoken with GOP senators about trying to end Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) lengthy leadership run, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing people familiar with the conversations. The two have been at odds ever since McConnell refused to support Trump's baseless claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
He's reportedly not gaining much traction in his efforts, however. McConnell, whose term as party leader runs through the end of 2022, remains popular among his colleagues, and even some of Trump's closer confidantes in the upper chamber, like Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and John Kennedy (R-La.), aren't on board. Tuberville said he's not "going to get in that fight," and praised McConnell for "doing a good job," while Kennedy, known for his ability to turn a phrase, equated Trump's odds of ousting McConnell from his perch to that of a donkey learning to fly, the Journal notes.
What's more, none of the Republican Senate challengers Trump has endorsed so far, including Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), have echoed his anti-McConnell call. Read more at The Wall Street Journal.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
USDA orders states to ‘undo’ full SNAP paymentsSpeed Read The Trump administration is telling states not to pay full November food stamp benefits
-
Senate takes first step to end record shutdownSpeed Read Eight senators in the Democratic caucus voted with Republicans to advance legislation to reopen the government
-
Trump’s trade war: has China won?Talking Point US president wanted to punish Beijing, but the Asian superpower now holds the whip hand
-
‘This is where adaptation enters’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump ordered to fully fund SNAPSpeed Read The Justice Department is appealing the decision
-
Trump tariffs face stiff scrutiny at Supreme CourtSpeed Read Even some of the Court’s conservative justices appeared skeptical
-
The longest US government shutdown in historyThe Explainer Federal employees and low-income households have been particularly affected by ‘partisan standoffs’ in Washington
-
Democrats seek 2026 inspiration from special election routsIN THE SPOTLIGHT High-profile wins are helping a party demoralized by Trump’s reelection regain momentum


