Possible House leader Kevin McCarthy seen by Trump as ally
By ALAN FRAM and ZEKE MILLER
Today
WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump and top Republicans dined on filet mignon at the White House this week, just hours after House Speaker Paul Ryan announced his stunning retirement, Trump and Ryan’s top lieutenant found themselves with a moment alone.
Do you really want to be the next speaker of the House, Trump asked Kevin McCarthy, one of his closest allies in Congress. The Californian — the leading but undeclared contender — told the president he wants the job, according to two sources familiar with the conversation.
McCarthy emerged from the Wednesday evening chat confident he had Trump’s backing to succeed Ryan, said one of the sources, a GOP operative. Trump tried not to explicitly endorse McCarthy, said the other source, but it was clear the president would be “very happy” for McCarthy to ascend to the post.
Both people spoke anonymously about the conversation because they weren’t authorized to relay details of a politically sensitive but possibly critical exchange. Trump’s embrace could be crucial for McCarthy, the No. 2 House Republican leader, if he wants to nail down support from conservative lawmakers who have been leery of his GOP establishment ties and could sink his bid.
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https://apnews.com/98d49ff8975d4e28bf8b0e35b3caeac1/Possible-House-leader-Kevin-McCarthy-seen-by-Trump-as-ally
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