Trump calls McConnell a 'broken down hack' over complaints about 'candidate quality' in Senate races


Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to blast Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) over his criticisms of Republican Senate candidates.
"Why do Republicans Senators allow a broken down hack politician, Mitch McConnell, to openly disparage hard working Republican candidates for the United States Senate[?]" Trump posted on his Truth Social network. "This is such an affront to honor and to leadership. He should spend more time (and money!) helping them get elected, and less time helping his crazy wife and family get rich on China!"
McConnell has, for years, faced accusations of corruption due to his marriage to former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, whose father was born in China and founded a successful shipping company. See, for example, West Virginia Senate candidate Don Blankenship's 2018 "Cocaine Mitch" ad.
Subscribe to 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.
Trump's comments come after McConnell said Thursday that Republicans might fail to flip the Senate in November and that "candidate quality has a lot to do with the outcome."
Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly reconsidering his plan to launch his 2024 presidential campaign before the November midterms, hoping to avoid being blamed if the midterms don't go as well as Republicans hope, one source close to him said.
Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle suggested that Trump deserves plenty of blame already. She blamed Trump for endorsing "weak and inexperienced" candidates in winnable races and argued that the Republican Party's "Trumpy base, which loves to see the GOP's more moderate candidates getting what-for, is helping Trump to inadvertently elect Democrats."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A playful game, a hot step, and more
By The Week US
-
Fonab Castle: a regal stay in the Scottish Highlands
The Week Recommends Prepare for the royal treatment in Pitlochry
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Today's political cartoons - April 25, 2025
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - online expertise, eternal promises, and more
By The Week US
-
Kevin Warsh: the man who could replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair
In the Spotlight Powell's term ends in 2026, and President Donald Trump will likely replace him
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
With Dick Durbin's retirement, where do Democrats go from here?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The number two Senate Democrat's pending departure is a pivotal moment for a party looking for leadership in the second Trump administration
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Nayib Bukele: the Salvadoran ally in Trump's deportation machine
In the Spotlight El Salvador's popular strongman rose to power promising to make his country safe
By David Faris
-
A dozen states sue Trump to halt tariffs
Speed Read The states sued in the US Court of International Trade, seeking to stop tariffs they say will damage their economies
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump blames Zelenskyy for peace deal setbacks
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the US proposal, which includes Russia's takeover of Crimea
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
How the woke right gained power in the US
Under the radar The term has grown in prominence since Donald Trump returned to the White House
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
A running list of RFK Jr.'s controversies
In Depth The man atop the Department of Health and Human Services has had no shortage of scandals over the years
By Brigid Kennedy
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plunge
Speed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
By Peter Weber, The Week US