In a revealing interview, outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s comments about former President Donald Trump left CNN’s Chris Wallace deeply unsettled. Speaking to journalist Michael Tackett for an upcoming biography, McConnell described Trump as “despicable” and a “narcissist,” acknowledging that many Republicans have shared similar sentiments. However, despite this harsh critique, McConnell made it clear that he and Trump are “on the same team” heading into the 2024 election, reaffirming his unwavering support for the former president.
During an interview on Friday, Wallace, a veteran anchor who previously worked at Fox News, expressed his shock over McConnell’s contradictory stance. He pointed out how concerning it is that McConnell, despite holding such negative views about Trump’s character, continues to align himself with him. Wallace told CNN’s Brianna Keilar, “It’s troubling that the most senior Republican in the Senate continues to support Trump, even though he sees him as morally bankrupt.”
Wallace explained that McConnell had distanced himself from Trump for years after the January 6 insurrection, refusing to even mention his name in public. Yet, the Kentucky senator now seems fully prepared to back Trump’s candidacy in the upcoming election. “What I find most troubling is that McConnell believes all this, says all this, and yet is still going to vote for Donald Trump,” Wallace emphasized.
McConnell’s political loyalty to Trump has been a point of controversy, particularly considering Trump’s repeated personal attacks on McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao. The former president infamously used racist language against Chao, who served as his Secretary of Transportation, calling her “Coco Chao.” Despite the blatant racism, McConnell remains committed to supporting Trump.
Wallace highlighted this contradiction, stating, “McConnell has endorsed Donald Trump, who has insulted his wife in racial terms. Yet he seems to prioritize his political power over personal feelings or principles. I find that deeply troubling.”
This isn’t the first time McConnell has expressed concern over the direction of U.S. politics. He has voiced fears about the potential actions of Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly her plans to eliminate the Senate filibuster. McConnell believes removing the filibuster would pave the way for Democrats to pass sweeping legislation, such as codifying abortion rights and granting statehood to Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico—potentially giving Democrats a significant and lasting advantage in the Senate.