McConnell, in Private, Doubts if Trump Can Save Presidency
The relationship between President Trump and Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, has disintegrated to the point
that they have not spoken to each other in weeks, and Mr. McConnell has privately expressed uncertainty that Mr. Trump will be able to salvage his administration after a series of summer crises.
(Ms. Chao, deflecting a question about the tensions between her husband
and the president she serves, told reporters, “I stand by my man — both of them.”)
Mr. McConnell signaled to business leaders that he was deeply uncomfortable with Mr. Trump’s comments: Several who resigned advisory roles in the Trump administration contacted Mr. McConnell’s office after the fact, and were told
that Mr. McConnell fully understood their choices, three people briefed on the conversations said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if McConnell pulls back his support of Trump and tries to go it alone.”
An all-out clash between Mr. Trump and Mr. McConnell would play out between men whose strengths and weaknesses are very different.
In a show of solidarity, albeit one planned well before Mr. Trump took aim at Mr. Flake, Mr. McConnell will host a $1,000-per-person dinner on Friday in Kentucky for
the Arizona senator, as well as for Senator Dean Heller of Nevada, who is also facing a Trump-inspired primary race next year, and Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska.
Former Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, a Republican who is close to Mr.
McConnell, said frustration with Mr. Trump was boiling over in the chamber.
Mr. Trump has also continued to badger and threaten Mr. McConnell’s Senate colleagues, including Senator
Jeff Flake of Arizona, whose Republican primary challenger was praised by Mr. Trump last week.
