Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reportedly told former President Donald Trump, “F*** you” in a phone call following his historic ouster from the position, which Trump opted not to help the lawmaker avoid.
According to the Washington Post, which cited several sources familiar with the phone call, Trump listed his reasons for not assisting McCarthy in avoiding such a fate weeks after the motion to vacate was passed. The former president allegedly chastised McCarthy for not being more forceful in moving to expunge his two impeachments, as well as the speaker’s hesitance to endorse him in the 2024 presidential race.
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After Trump’s reprimand, McCarthy reportedly said the expletive. However, McCarthy’s team denies the curse was said.
McCarthy and Trump speak frequently, and their conversations are understood to span a wide range of topics. Further, the men are comfortable being incredibly candid with one another, a source familiar with their dynamic described.
The former speaker was removed early last month when eight Republicans voted with Democratic lawmakers to vacate McCarthy from the role. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a close ally and endorser of Trump, led the charge. Reps. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Ken Buck (R-CO), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Bob Good (R-VA), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Nancy Mace (R-SC) also voted in favor of the motion.
Several of the Republicans who moved to rid McCarthy of the speakership are endorsers of the former president, including Crane, Rosendale, and Biggs — in addition to Gaetz. Further, Burchett and Mace haven’t issued endorsements in the race, but the two could potentially be supporters of Trump in 2024.
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Given Trump’s relationships with a number of the lawmakers who cemented McCarthy’s removal, the former president likely stood a chance of preventing it from happening. But he didn’t do so, he reportedly said, because the California Republican hadn’t done what Trump requested.
Trump’s campaign did not provide comment to the Washington Examiner.
