Mitch McConnell isn't worried Trump will oust him as GOP Senate leader


Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is not particularly worried his Senate leadership days are numbered, as has been suggested by frequent McConnell critic and statement-maker extraordinaire former President Donald Trump.
Trump lost faith in the minority leader after the latter voted to certify President Biden's victory in the 2020 election, notes The Washington Examiner. Then, in the summer of 2021, Trump "began demanding that Republican senators remove McConnell as their leader" — a role he's held, mind you, for 15 years.
When asked by the Examiner if he's concerned Trump "might spark a revolt against his leadership," or prevent him from becoming majority leader should Republicans regain the chamber in the midterms, McConnell was seemingly unbothered by the suggestion.
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.
"Every reporter in town, including, I'm sure, you, have been probing to find one for months, right?" he said, alluding to the possibility of finding a Republican senator who agrees with Trump and wants to oust McConnell. "Have you found one?"
No Senate Republican has announced feeling such a way, writes the Examiner. "That's the answer to your question," McConnell said.
McConnell also laughed off Trump's "Old Crow" nickname for him, opting to take it instead as almost a compliment.
"It's my favorite bourbon," McConnell told the Examiner, referring to a drink of the same name.
"Aren't we using Old Crow as my moniker now?" he asked a member of his staff. "It was Henry Clay's favorite bourbon."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Some mainstream Democrats struggle with Zohran Mamdani's surprise win
TALKING POINT To embrace or not embrace? A party in transition grapples with a rising star ready to buck political norms and energize a new generation.
-
How to make music part of your vacation
Let the rhythm move you
-
What is credit card churning and why is it risky?
the explainer Churners frequently open new credit cards with the intent of earning a welcome bonus and accessing other perks
-
Will NATO countries meet their new spending goal?
today's big question The cost of keeping Trump happy
-
Canadian man dies in ICE custody
Speed Read A Canadian citizen with permanent US residency died at a federal detention center in Miami
-
GOP races to revise megabill after Senate rulings
Speed Read A Senate parliamentarian ruled that several changes to Medicaid included in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" were not permissible
-
Supreme Court lets states ax Planned Parenthood funds
Speed Read The court ruled that Planned Parenthood cannot sue South Carolina over the state's effort to deny it funding
-
Trump plans Iran talks, insists nuke threat gone
Speed Read 'The war is done' and 'we destroyed the nuclear,' said President Trump
-
Trump embraces NATO after budget vow, charm offensive
Speed Read The president reversed course on his longstanding skepticism of the trans-Atlantic military alliance
-
Bibi's back: what will Netanyahu do next?
Today's Big Question Riding high after a series of military victories, Israel's PM could push for peace in Gaza – or secure his own position with snap election
-
Trump judge pick told DOJ to defy courts, lawyer says
Speed Read Emil Bove, a top Justice Department official nominated by Trump for a lifetime seat, stands accused of encouraging government lawyers to mislead the courts and defy judicial orders