Trump endorses Kevin McCarthy despite Jan.6 audio leak

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Former President Trump endorsed Rep. Kevin McCarthy despite the leaked Jan. 6 audio.
• The New York Times leaked audio tapes showing McCarthy discussing the possibility of telling Trump to resign if he were impeached.
• Trump said his relationship with McCarthy was still intact.

Former President Donald Trump has ”completely and totally” endorsed Rep. Kevin McCarthy in a Saturday post on his social media site, Truth Social.

Trump described the House Minority Leader as “strong and fearless” and an “outstanding representative for the people of California.”

The former president wrote: “In Congress, Kevin is a tireless advocate for the people of Bakersfield and the Central Valley. He is working incredibly hard to Stop Inflation, Deliver Water Solutions, and Hold Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi Accountable for their catastrophic failures and dereliction of duty.”

In April, The New York Times leaked audio tapes where the California congressman can be heard discussing with other Republican lawmakers that he was considering telling Trump to resign if he were impeached. The former president was impeached by the House for a historic second time on Jan. 13, 2021, for inciting insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

The leaked audio tapes sparked headlines, given that GOP primaries were coming and most Republicans have sought Trump’s endorsement. The former president has made it a point to go after any Republicans who have not backed him on his claims of election fraud.

Though Trump admitted he “didn’t like the call,” he said that his relationship with McCarthy was still “intact.” He noted that the congressman sided with him eventually.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump considered what happened as ”a big compliment” because “they realized they were wrong and supported me.”

McCarthy faces several challengers in Tuesday’s primary election.

Source: The Hill