Mitch McConnell (left), Donald Trump.Photo: Oliver Contreras/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesDonald Trumpcontinues to stay active in Republican Party politics, expressing a desire this week to see Florida Sen.Rick Scottreplace Sen.Mitch McConnellas the Republican leader in the Senate.The former president, 76, sat with reporters for an interview aboard his private plane on Monday night, according to Fox News Digital. During the conversation, hecalled McConnell a “lousy leader"and Scott “highly underrated,” according to The Hill.Scott is believed to be quietly mulling a presidential run against Trump in 2024.Republicans will elect a new GOP Senate leader to a two-year term in January — regardless of Tuesday’s election results — and often the party’s top-ranking official is a shoo-in for the position. In this case, that’s Senate Minority Leader McConnell.But if enough Republicans are dissatisfied with their leadership, they can nominate someone in his place. If Scott — or another senator — has enough support, they could take the job away from McConnell, which is likely what Trump is pushing for when publicly endorsing Scott.McConnell is the longest-serving Senate Republican leader in U.S. history, holding the title since 2007. During his tenure, he has switched between Senate majority leader and minority leader, based on which party controls the upper chamber of Congress.Rick Scott.Kevin Dietsch/GettyIn the same interview, Trump — who has openly teased a forthcoming announcement about his 2024 presidential aspirations — dissuaded other possible Republican candidates from running against him, saying “it would be good for the party,” according to Fox.The statement appeared to target Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis, who polls say is the most likely Republican to give Trump a challenge in a hypothetical presidential primary.DeSantis, who was elected Florida governor in 2018, islikely to cruise to reelection Tuesday, according to polls. But as his reputation has risen, so have calls for him to take Trump on in 2024.Ron DeSantis.Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via GettyVanity Faircites “four prominent Republicans” who say DeSantis has indicated that he would not launch a campaign against the former president.“He’s led them to believe he will not run if Trump does,” one source — identified as a Republican briefed on donor conversations — told the outlet.During a political rally in Ohio Monday night, Trump implied that he would formally declare candidacy for 2024 after the midterm elections, offering up Nov. 15 as the date for his big announcement and Mar-a-Lago as the location.Trump’s former chief of staff Reince Priebus told the outlet he was “95%” sure that Trump would run, noting: “The real question is are other big challengers going to run? If President Trump runs, he will be very difficult for any Republican to defeat.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.Trump — who made history as the first president to be impeached twice while in office — is currently facing alarge number of legal issuesand being investigated at the federal and state level (in both criminal and civil cases) for a variety of allegations linked to presidential records, the 2020 election and the Trump Organization.
Mitch McConnell (left), Donald Trump.Photo: Oliver Contreras/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Donald Trumpcontinues to stay active in Republican Party politics, expressing a desire this week to see Florida Sen.Rick Scottreplace Sen.Mitch McConnellas the Republican leader in the Senate.The former president, 76, sat with reporters for an interview aboard his private plane on Monday night, according to Fox News Digital. During the conversation, hecalled McConnell a “lousy leader"and Scott “highly underrated,” according to The Hill.Scott is believed to be quietly mulling a presidential run against Trump in 2024.Republicans will elect a new GOP Senate leader to a two-year term in January — regardless of Tuesday’s election results — and often the party’s top-ranking official is a shoo-in for the position. In this case, that’s Senate Minority Leader McConnell.But if enough Republicans are dissatisfied with their leadership, they can nominate someone in his place. If Scott — or another senator — has enough support, they could take the job away from McConnell, which is likely what Trump is pushing for when publicly endorsing Scott.McConnell is the longest-serving Senate Republican leader in U.S. history, holding the title since 2007. During his tenure, he has switched between Senate majority leader and minority leader, based on which party controls the upper chamber of Congress.Rick Scott.Kevin Dietsch/GettyIn the same interview, Trump — who has openly teased a forthcoming announcement about his 2024 presidential aspirations — dissuaded other possible Republican candidates from running against him, saying “it would be good for the party,” according to Fox.The statement appeared to target Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis, who polls say is the most likely Republican to give Trump a challenge in a hypothetical presidential primary.DeSantis, who was elected Florida governor in 2018, islikely to cruise to reelection Tuesday, according to polls. But as his reputation has risen, so have calls for him to take Trump on in 2024.Ron DeSantis.Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via GettyVanity Faircites “four prominent Republicans” who say DeSantis has indicated that he would not launch a campaign against the former president.“He’s led them to believe he will not run if Trump does,” one source — identified as a Republican briefed on donor conversations — told the outlet.During a political rally in Ohio Monday night, Trump implied that he would formally declare candidacy for 2024 after the midterm elections, offering up Nov. 15 as the date for his big announcement and Mar-a-Lago as the location.Trump’s former chief of staff Reince Priebus told the outlet he was “95%” sure that Trump would run, noting: “The real question is are other big challengers going to run? If President Trump runs, he will be very difficult for any Republican to defeat.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.Trump — who made history as the first president to be impeached twice while in office — is currently facing alarge number of legal issuesand being investigated at the federal and state level (in both criminal and civil cases) for a variety of allegations linked to presidential records, the 2020 election and the Trump Organization.
Donald Trumpcontinues to stay active in Republican Party politics, expressing a desire this week to see Florida Sen.Rick Scottreplace Sen.Mitch McConnellas the Republican leader in the Senate.
The former president, 76, sat with reporters for an interview aboard his private plane on Monday night, according to Fox News Digital. During the conversation, hecalled McConnell a “lousy leader"and Scott “highly underrated,” according to The Hill.
Scott is believed to be quietly mulling a presidential run against Trump in 2024.
Republicans will elect a new GOP Senate leader to a two-year term in January — regardless of Tuesday’s election results — and often the party’s top-ranking official is a shoo-in for the position. In this case, that’s Senate Minority Leader McConnell.
But if enough Republicans are dissatisfied with their leadership, they can nominate someone in his place. If Scott — or another senator — has enough support, they could take the job away from McConnell, which is likely what Trump is pushing for when publicly endorsing Scott.
McConnell is the longest-serving Senate Republican leader in U.S. history, holding the title since 2007. During his tenure, he has switched between Senate majority leader and minority leader, based on which party controls the upper chamber of Congress.
Rick Scott.Kevin Dietsch/Getty
In the same interview, Trump — who has openly teased a forthcoming announcement about his 2024 presidential aspirations — dissuaded other possible Republican candidates from running against him, saying “it would be good for the party,” according to Fox.
The statement appeared to target Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis, who polls say is the most likely Republican to give Trump a challenge in a hypothetical presidential primary.
DeSantis, who was elected Florida governor in 2018, islikely to cruise to reelection Tuesday, according to polls. But as his reputation has risen, so have calls for him to take Trump on in 2024.
Ron DeSantis.Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty
Vanity Faircites “four prominent Republicans” who say DeSantis has indicated that he would not launch a campaign against the former president.
“He’s led them to believe he will not run if Trump does,” one source — identified as a Republican briefed on donor conversations — told the outlet.
During a political rally in Ohio Monday night, Trump implied that he would formally declare candidacy for 2024 after the midterm elections, offering up Nov. 15 as the date for his big announcement and Mar-a-Lago as the location.
Trump’s former chief of staff Reince Priebus told the outlet he was “95%” sure that Trump would run, noting: “The real question is are other big challengers going to run? If President Trump runs, he will be very difficult for any Republican to defeat.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
Trump — who made history as the first president to be impeached twice while in office — is currently facing alarge number of legal issuesand being investigated at the federal and state level (in both criminal and civil cases) for a variety of allegations linked to presidential records, the 2020 election and the Trump Organization.
source: people.com
