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What – you thought Donald Trump would go to Mar-a-Lago and only deal with his golf swing? It was never going to happen.
And while we may not get an hourly snapshot of what he thinks, thanks to the Twitter ban, that first substantive statement from the former president, following his meeting with the Republican leader House of Representatives minority Kevin McCarthy is reassuringly familiar. .
But let me come back very quickly. This will be the brief one-minute recap that you’ll get on the latest episodes of a TV set.
McCarthy had been a cheerleader for Trump. Always favorable; always by his side. But then, after the capture of the Capitol on January 6, the oldest Republican congressman went his own way and said this: “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mafia rioters. . He should have immediately reported the crowd when he saw what was going on. “
So far so brave. But then McCarthy feels the icy return of the Trump base and the furious former president himself. McCarthy then says Donald Trump cannot be blamed, and his rapidly evolving analysis rests on the somewhat ridiculous take – all Americans were responsible for the riot that left five dead. Which is pretty much the same, if you think about it, to say that no one was responsible.
All of this brings us to today. Looks like Congressman McCarthy went to kiss the king’s ring, seeking forgiveness and absolution for the momentary breakup.
But more importantly, if you read Trump’s statement, it shows that the former president still believes he is the kingmaker of the Republican Party; the powerhouse to which ambitious GOP aspirants must bow their knees.
The first part of the statement released by Trump’s office says this: “The meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida was very good and cordial. They discussed many topics, the first of which was to take over the House in 2022. President Trump’s popularity has never been as strong as it is today, and his approval means more than perhaps any approval to any time. “
Do you see what I mean by the familiar tone in a reassuring way? I mean, close your eyes and you could almost imagine it was written by Mr. Trump himself – even though it’s in the third person singular. And set aside the claim that its popularity has never been higher – can anyone point me to the poll results that back it up?
The ex-president may have lost power, but he is determined to maintain his grip on the Republican Party. In essence, he’s saying that if you’re going to regain the House of Democratic Control in November 2022, you need me on your side. Because I can create hell if I don’t.
And while you continue to hear from senior Republicans that they would like to get rid of their turbulent former president, Kevin McCarthy bowing rather abjectly at the foot of the exiled king’s throne, suggests he believes he needs Donald’s Imprimatur. Trump.
And the former president will simply have loved the optics of today.
Originally published
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