Harry Reid makes a joke about 'pulling for Trump' and almost immediately regrets it
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
To Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the impending possibility of a Donald Trump presidency is no laughing matter. So when the Democratic minority leader made a joke to reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday that he's "kind of pulling for Trump" considering the other Republicans running, he took to the floor of Congress less than an hour later to retract it.
"I tried to be funny an hour ago," Reid said. "The danger a Donald Trump candidacy poses for our country is not a joke. Since he launched his bid for the Republican nomination, Donald Trump has proven over and over again that he is a hateful demagogue who would do immeasurable damage to our country if elected."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) opted for the alternative Reid probably wishes he'd chosen — to stay mum on the matter. When pressed with questions about Trump and the presidential race, McConnell simply said he wasn't going to go there. "There'd be no place to end the discussion."
Article continues belowThe 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