Former President Donald Trump has chosen to promote and endorse some controversial allies, but his latest midterm endorsement has managed to surprise and annoy an especially large segment of his base and leaves some supporters questioning his judgement. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has earned an endorsement from the former president despite his sometimes rocky relationship with the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, and despite his occasional criticism of Trump himself.
Trump still sees McCarthy as an ally
Many Trump supporters have gotten used to thinking of McCarthy as being one of the former president’s opponents in the Republican Party.
The minority leader has generally worked hard to align himself with Trump and his supporters, but he has also blamed Trump for January 6 and is rumored to have wanted him to resign before the end of his term.
Like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, McCarthy is seen as insufficiently conservative by many Republicans who long for stauncher leadership in Congress.
Trump, however, claimed in his endorsement that McCarthy has been a strong leader for Republicans in the House and an important check on Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Joe Biden.
Trump reportedly feels that, despite McCarthy’s criticism last year, the minority leader remains an ally and supporter at heart and merely bowed to pressure when opposing the former president.
Trump and McCarthy have since praised each other both publicly and privately, each emphasizing the other’s importance to the future of the Republican Party.
Supporters question endorsement
The MAGA base, however, has not been as easily convinced of McCarthy’s sincerity or loyalty. Boos at a recent rally were only one expression of hostility directed at McCarthy.
Supporters on social media lamented that Trump, in their opinion, has not learned his lesson and is aligning himself with individuals who will work against his own agenda.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has aggressively criticized McCarthy as being out of touch with the GOP base, and he has had a mixed record of cooperation with House Freedom Caucus members.
McCarthy represents a strongly Republican district in California and is unlikely to be defeated in November, meaning that he may be positioned to become Speaker of the House after the midterms.
Trump has been somewhat reluctant to endorse candidates who do not seem to be well positioned to win their primary races, and backing a Republican challenger against McCarthy would have been a risky venture.
His current support for McCarthy, however, does not appear to be especially reluctant or half-hearted. Regardless of what his base thinks of the minority leader, the former president continues to see him as a vital ally.
