Trump-McConnell Feud Continues To Escalate, Complicating Matters For Republicans

Despite NRSC Chair Rick Scott’s claims the GOP civil war was cancelled, the deep divisions in their party are alive and well, with Former President Trump attacking Minority Leader Mitch McConnell again this week. 

This ongoing infighting will continue to “complicate matters for Republicans” as they deal with messy and crowded primary races across the country. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Hill: Trump drama divides GOP, muddling message
By Jordain Carney
April 30, 2021

Key Points: 

• Much of the focus all week was on the battling within the GOP — … between former President Trump and Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell.

• “I don’t think it’s helpful,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), an adviser to McConnell. 

• Sen. John Thune (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, called keeping GOP infighting from overshadowing more unifying messaging “our daily challenge.”

• The latest round of infighting comes as Republicans are already facing big headaches on their political fortunes as they struggle to dent Biden.

• Biden’s approval ratings remain over 50 percent as people continue to get vaccinated, which is creating good economic news for the White House and new momentum. On Thursday, the government reported the economy grew at a 6.4 percent annual rate in the first quarter, increasing confidence in a strong rebound this year.

• Just 12 hours after they largely panned Biden’s speech, Trump was putting the focus back on GOP feuding. 

• He teed off against McConnell during a Fox Business interview, urging Senate Republicans to get a different leader. The fight is largely personal, rather than results-orientated, because McConnell keeps a firm grip on the caucus and enjoys broad support.

• “I think we’re going to do very well. We need good leadership. Mitch McConnell has not done a great job, I think they should change Mitch McConnell,” Trump said.

• Trump, even as he’s largely sequestered himself at Mar-a-Lago since he left office, has loomed over the future of the Republican Party.

• With Trump seeking to stay in the news cycle and flirting with a presidential bid in 2024, it seems unlikely the GOP fighting will end.

See also: NBC News: A Trump-McConnell power struggle creates landmines in GOP quest to retake Congress; The Hill: Trump’s early endorsements reveal GOP rift; CNN: Analysis: Donald Trump’s fingerprints are all over the 2022 Senate fight; CNN: Senate Republicans already have a Donald Trump problem; Washington Post: Trump inspired Republican Senate candidates create early tensions over direction of the party; New York Times: Republicans Fear Flawed Candidates Could Imperil Key Senate Seats; The Hill: Trump allies line up ahead of potentially bruising primaries. 

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