Former President Donald Trump voiced uncertainty on Tuesday regarding his ability to work with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell if he were to be re-elected as president. During a town hall on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” Trump suggested that McConnell might eventually endorse him but expressed reservations about collaboration due to past differences.
Trump criticized McConnell, stating, “He’ll probably end up endorsing me. I don’t know that I can work with him. He gave away trillions of dollars that he didn’t have to, trillions of dollars. He made it very easy for the Democrats.”
The relationship between Trump and McConnell soured after McConnell criticized Trump’s role in the Capitol riot, labeling it a “disgraceful dereliction of duty.” Trump, in turn, has intensified his attacks on McConnell since leaving office and recently played a role in thwarting a bipartisan border deal supported by McConnell.
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Despite Trump’s bid for re-election, McConnell has not formally endorsed him, although he has acknowledged that Trump is likely to be the GOP nominee. Trump’s recent comments on Fox News raise questions about the potential dynamics between the two leaders if Trump secures a second term.
Trump also addressed the recent death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during the town hall, drawing parallels between Navalny’s fate and his own legal challenges and criminal indictments. Trump remarked on the perceived shift towards communism in the U.S., stating, “We are turning into a communist country in many ways. And if you look at it, I’m the leading candidate. I got indicted — I never heard of being indicted.”
Regarding Navalny, Trump suggested that he would have been better off staying outside Russia to engage in political advocacy rather than returning and facing the dangers within the country. Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in prison on Friday, prompting President Joe Biden to blame Putin and announce additional sanctions on Russia in response.
