Donald Trump to meet House minority leader Kevin McCarthy in Florida, reports say
Former president expected to see top House Republican on Thursday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump is set to meet House minority leader Kevin McCarthy in Florida on Thursday, reports say
The former president, who is facing a historic second impeachment trial in the US Senate, will meet with the top Republican congressman on Thursday, according to NBC News.
Mr Trump has kept a low-profile since leaving the White House for the final time last week and heading to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
The resort, which has annual fees of around $200,000, is reportedly losing large number of members following the end of the Trump administration.
The California lawmaker was a loyal supporter of Mr Trump during his one term in office.
But Mr McCarthy was critical of the ex-president in the wake of the 6 January Capitol violence by a pro-Trump mob that killed five people, including a police officer.
He even went as far as to say that Mr Trump bore some responsibility for the violence, after he ordered his supporters to march on the Capitol after his “Stop the Steal” rally in front of the White House.
Mr McCarthy did not vote to impeach Mr Trump but also did not force House Republicans to back the ex-president, and in the end 10 GOP members voted with Democrats.
He softened his tone towards Mr Trump last week when he said that he didn’t “provoke” the violence and that "Trump continues to have that ability to lead this party and unite.”
Mr McCarthy has been accused of walking back his criticism to not isolate himself from Mr Trump’s MAGA base.
“He always puts his political finger to the wind and tries to shift,” one House Republican told Politico.
“It seems to be based on his personal ambitions.”
Mr Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate is set to start on 8 February after the article of impeachment was delivered to the high chamber from the House on Monday.
Last week Mr Trump made his first public comment since Joe Biden’s inauguration.
“We’ll do something, but not just yet,” Mr Trump told the Washington Examiner as he lunched at his golf club with friends on his 16th wedding anniversary.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments