Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump told donors House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can keep their positions if he’s elected.
The move was an attempt to avoid alienating establishment Republicans and prove he will be able to work with Congress amidst the populist trend that led to his rise during the primaries, according to a Bloomberg report Wednesday. Trump reportedly assured donors he has no plans to completely remake the party.
The pledge not to oust congressional leadership was a key factor in top cola industry executives Joe and Kelly Craft’s decision to help raise money for Trump, Kelly told Bloomberg in an interview.
“That is a big priority for Joe and I—and from talking directly to Donald Trump I know for a fact it is a big deal to him,” she said. “He made that very clear.”
Trump differs with the top Republicans on a number of issues, including trade, raising taxes on the wealthy and easing restrictions with Cuba. While McConnell said he would support Trump, Ryan has continued to withhold his endorsement.
Ryan hasn’t endorsed Trump, but recently indicated he’s heading in that direction, saying “it’s very important that we don’t fake unifying.”
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