Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was ousted from the speakership and recently announced he would depart Congress at the end of 2023, has endorsed former President Donald Trump for president in 2024, pointing out that he would consider serving in Trump’s cabinet if he reaches the White House in 2025.
In a new interview, McCarthy says he endorses Trump and is willing to serve in his Cabinet if asked: “We have a relationship where we’re very honest with one another.” pic.twitter.com/dJbfj2nBgB
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 9, 2023
McCarthy’s relationship with Trump hasn’t necessarily been sunshine and rainbows. The California congressman previously declined to support the former president’s bid for a second term. Nonetheless, weeks before he is set to leave Congress, McCarthy announced his support.
“I will support the president. I will support President Trump,” McCarthy said in excerpts of a recent interview with CBS News.
Although McCarthy has not said what he plans on doing upon retiring from Congress, the California lawmaker expressed his willingness to serve in a potential Trump cabinet, saying, “In the right position, look, if, if I’m the best person for the job, yes.”
“Look, I worked for President Trump on a lot of policies. I, we, worked together to win the majority,” McCarthy told CBS anchor Robert Costa during the interview. “But we also have a relationship where we’re very honest with one another.”
While McCarthy led House Republicans, he kept quiet on his support for the former president’s 2024 presidential campaign, considering that some of his donors had soured on Trump.
It seems McCarthy is no longer shy to share his feelings about the former president, given the fact that Trump endorsed him when it mattered most during his 17-round journey to become speaker of the House.
The California congressman’s relationship with Trump grew tense in the days following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protests. At the time, McCarthy blamed the protests of that day on the then-president but was seen at Trump’s South Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, weeks later.
In October 2023, McCarthy was ousted from the speakership by eight Republicans, who had accused him of siding with President Joe Biden’s disastrous agenda to keep the federal government open.
Among those who initiated a motion to vacate McCarthy was Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of the former president’s staunch supporters and allies.
