Politics

McConnell Applauds Trump’s Comments On Bannon

Juliegrace Brufke Capitol Hill Reporter
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised President Donald Trump’s criticism of former White House adviser Steve Bannon Thursday.

Trump blasted the former strategist after he was quoted in an explosive new book by Michael Wolff alleging Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with a Russian lawyer was “treasonous” and painting the president in a negative light. In Trump’s statement, the president said Bannon “lost his mind” in addition to his job after being fired from his position in the White House.

“I would like to associate myself with what the president had to say about Steve Bannon yesterday,” McConnell told reporters.

McConnell and Bannon have long had a contentious relationship, with the executive chairman of Breitbart News habitually attacking the majority leader and supporting primary opponents to leadership-backed incumbents and candidates in Senate races.

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn said he believes Trump’s decision to disassociate with Bannon is good for the Republican party.

“I think it clarified the situation in some of these competing primaries where Mr. Bannon was out recruiting candidates who were unelectable in the general election,” he told reporters Thursday. “So I actually think it’s a positive development for us and we can get back to work nominating good, electable candidates that can win in a general election.”

Following Trump’s statement Wednesday, McConnell’s campaign tweeted a gif of the Kentucky Republican smiling.

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