Trump slams Pence, McConnell in speech
PALM BEACH, Fla. — It was supposed to be a unifying weekend for a Republican Party at war with itself over former President Donald Trump’s divisive leadership. But Trump himself shattered two days of relative peace in his closing remarks to the GOP’s top donors when he insulted the party’s Senate leader and his wife.
Ahead of the invitationonly speech at Trump’s new home inside his MaraLago resort, the former president’s advisers said he would emphasize his commitment to his party and Republican unity.
But Trump veered sharply from prepared remarks Saturday night and instead slammed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, RKy., as a “stonecold loser” and mocked McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, who was Trump’s transportation secretary.
Trump also said he is “disappointed” in his vice president, Mike Pence, and used a profanity in assessing McConnell, according to people in attendance. He said McConnell had not thanked him properly for putting Chao, who was labor secretary under President George W. Bush, in his Cabinet.
The comments left some attendees feeling uncomfortable. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich did not defend Trump as he left Palm Beach on Sunday. “We are much better off if we keep focusing on the Democrats. Period,” he said.
Saturday’s speech was the final address of the Republican National Committee’s weekend donor summit in Palm Beach. Most of the RNC’s closeddoor gathering was held at a luxury hotel a few miles away from MaraLago; attendees were bused to Trump’s club for his remarks.
While a significant faction of the Republican Party hopes to move past Trump’s legacy, the location of the event — and the former president’s prominent speaking slot — suggests that the GOP, at least for now, is not ready to replace Trump as its undisputed leader.
The new tension between Trump and establishmentminded Republican leaders comes as GOP officials are trying to play down an internal feud over his role in the party, his commitment to Republican fundraising and his plans for 2024. Trump is also continuing to insist that the last election was “stolen” from him, repeating false claims that Joe Biden won the election only because of voter fraud. Such claims ultimately fueled the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
McConnell and Chao have been particularly critical of Trump’s role in encouraging the insurrection; Chao resigned her post in protest. Pence, meanwhile, presided over a congressional session that certified Biden’s election victory.
“The former president is using the same language that he knows provoked violence on Jan 6 . ... We need to be focused on embracing the Constitution, not embracing insurrection,” Rep. Liz Cheney, RWyoming, said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”