There's a strategy behind Trump's risky attacks on Mitch McConnell, allies insist


On Thursday afternoon, President Trump's days of tweeting his frustration at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell came to a head. When a reporter asked Trump if, given his 140-character criticisms of McConnell over the lack of any major legislation hitting his desk, McConnell should consider stepping down, Trump did not say no. "I'll tell you what," he said, "if he doesn't get repeal and replace done and if he doesn't get taxes done, meaning cuts and reform, and if he doesn't get a very easy one to get done, infrastructure — if he doesn't get them done, then you can ask me that question." When asked if that meant yes, Trump said: "That means ask me that question. Let's hope he gets it done."
This Associated Press montage shows Trump's comments about McConnell in context.
Trump was reportedly piqued when he saw some mild criticism from McConnell about Trump's "excessive expectations" on a TV news report, and a Wednesday phone call between the two men did not sooth Trump, since McConnell stood his ground. Several GOP senators issued statements of support for McConnell on Thursday, and many observers noted the risk Trump is taking in attacking the top Senate Republican, in charge of passing any legislation and confirming all nominees. "I may not be clever enough to understand this, but I don't see how a Republican president deepening his fight with the Republican majority leader gets him very far," Newt Gingrich tells The New York Times.
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.
But Trump has vented about McConnell in private too, noting that his poll numbers are still higher than McConnell's and signaling that he's prepared "to distance himself from Republicans in Congress if they aren't successful in passing legislation and that he will not take the blame for them if they can't," Politico reports, citing four White House officials and Trump friends. "Increasingly, these people say, the president is prepared to cast himself as an outsider — and Congress as an 'insider' Washington institution. ... Trump believes that his supporters will largely blame Congress instead of him, two people who have spoken to him said."
There is the added wrinkle that McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, is Trump's transportation secretary, and a reporter asked Trump Thursday if he'd picked Chao to build a bridge to McConnell. "She's doing a very, very good job," Trump said. "I'm very disappointed in Mitch."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Political cartoons for October 17
Cartoons Friday's editorial cartoons include Tomahawk missile talk, the price of red meat, and the bestest boy reports from the Pentagon press room
-
The ‘swag gap’: are you better than your partner?
In The Spotlight The viral terminology sheds light on power dynamics in modern relationships
-
Climate change is getting under our skin
Under the radar Skin conditions are worsening because of warming temperatures
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents