Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently discussed his relationship with former President Donald Trump and shared his thoughts on the upcoming 2024 presidential election in an interview with Financial Times. McCarthy’s relationship with Trump has had its ups and downs, with the former speaker initially distancing himself from Trump after the Capitol riot in January 2021, only to be photographed with him two weeks later at Mar-a-Lago.
McCarthy acknowledged that he has had tough conversations with Trump but believes that their bond is strong. He stated, “I will say things to him that I think other people won’t. Now, will it make him mad? Yeah. But will he respect me more? I believe so.” McCarthy has endorsed Trump for the presidency and has shown a willingness to serve in a future Trump cabinet.
However, McCarthy’s tenure as House Speaker ended controversially, as he was voted out of his office due to opposition from far-right Republicans over concessions he made while negotiating a debt deal with President Joe Biden. He also resigned from Congress later in the year.
Speaking on the Capitol riot, McCarthy voted to overturn the results of the 2020 election, but later stated that Trump bore responsibility for the attack. In the Financial Times interview, McCarthy distanced himself from the events of January 6, saying, “I didn’t support January 6, I didn’t like what happened on January 6, and it was wrong.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 elections, McCarthy predicts that there will be many more political battles, especially with elections for the presidency and both houses of Congress in November. He believes that Trump has a good chance of winning against Biden, citing the president’s poor approval ratings in multiple polls and the age factor. McCarthy also believes that Republicans have a better chance of adding seats in Congress compared to the last two cycles.
Rather than focusing on revenge, McCarthy suggests that Trump’s campaign should focus on rebuilding, restoring, and renewing America. While he expressed his willingness to campaign for Trump and raise funds for GOP House candidates, McCarthy also hinted at a potential life outside of politics. He has previously expressed interest in working at startups, particularly those related to artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, Kevin McCarthy’s relationship with Donald Trump has had its ups and downs, but the former House Speaker remains loyal to the former president. McCarthy believes that Trump has a good chance of winning the 2024 presidential election and sees opportunities for Republicans to gain seats in Congress. While he is willing to support Trump’s campaign, McCarthy also hints at the possibility of pursuing a career outside of politics, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence.
