Harry Reid makes a joke about 'pulling for Trump' and almost immediately regrets it

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."
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Ukraine: Trump's mixed messages
Feature Trump reverses a Pentagon freeze on Patriot missiles to Ukraine as Russia ramps up air attacks
-
Diddy: An abuser who escaped justice?
Feature The jury cleared Sean Combs of major charges but found him guilty of lesser offenses
-
Death from above: Drones upend rules of war in Ukraine
Feature The world's militaries are paying close attention to drone use in the Russia-Ukraine war
-
Laurence Fox suspended by GB News after 'unacceptable' Ava Evans comments
Speed Read Broadcaster issues apology after actor goes on a tirade during a live interview with Dan Wootton
-
Fox News apologizes to Gold Star family for false story Marine Corps called 'disgusting'
Speed Read
-
Tucker Carlson Tonight is being replaced by Fox News Tonight
Speed Read
-
Judge delays Fox News-Dominion defamation trial start, reportedly to allow settlement talks
Speed Read
-
Judge orders Dominion lawsuit against Fox News to go to trial
Speed Read
-
Fox News seeks gag order for producer who claims she was coerced to mislead in Dominion deposition
Speed Read
-
Lawsuit documents: After 2020 election, Tucker Carlson said he hates Trump 'passionately'
Speed Read
-
Rupert Murdoch gave Jared Kushner 'confidential information' on Biden ads, debate strategy, Dominion says
Speed Read