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Trump unleashed a torrent of insults at McConnell, who just a few days ago voted to acquit Trump but also said the former president bore responsibility for inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
In a lengthy statement, Trump eviscerates McConnell, claiming the Kentucky Republican “begged” Trump for his support in his 2020 reelection bid and threatening to back primary challengers to lawmakers who aren’t aligned with Trump.
“Where necessary and appropriate, I will back primary rivals who espouse Making America Great Again and our policy of America First. We want brilliant, strong, thoughtful, and compassionate leadership,” Trump warns.
On Saturday, after the Senate fell 10 votes short of convicting Trump on a charge of incitement of insurrection, McConnell delivered a blistering attack on the former president though he had joined Republicans in saying the president was not guilty.
The former president is “practically and morally responsible” for provoking the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, McConnell said — but the Senate was upholding the Constitution by acquitting him.
“The Senate’s decision today does not condone anything that happened on or before that terrible day,” McConnell said. “It simply shows that senators did what the former president failed to do: We put our constitutional duty first.”
McConnell’s office did not immediately respond to request for comment.
According to a Trump adviser who has spoken to the former president in recent days, Trump was thrilled with Saturday’s acquittal vote and said it liberated him to get out and become engaged in politics again.
The statement on McConnell was edited by a “bunch” of people and the entire process took several days, according to the adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
The adviser added that there is “no communication” these days between the McConnell and Trump teams.
In his statement Tuesday, Trump hits McConnell on everything from his intellect to his looks, saying the leader lacks “political insight, wisdom, skill, and personality” and describing him as a “dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack.”
The former president says he “regrets” giving McConnell his endorsement last year and claims the veteran politician would have lost had it not been for Trump. McConnell won another term by nearly 20 percentage points over Democrat Amy McGrath.
Trump then blames McConnell for Republicans losing two Senate seats in Georgia, where Trump continued to perpetuate unfounded claims that the presidential election was rigged.
“He doesn’t have what it takes, never did, and never will,” Trump says in the statement, hinting at his role going forward.
“This is a big moment for our country,” Trump says, in closing, “and we cannot let it pass by using third rate ‘leaders’ to dictate our future!”