Speaker McCarthy predicts Trump will be GOP nominee, slams DeSantis as ‘not at the same level’
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made a bold prediction on Sunday, asserting that former President Donald Trump is likely to emerge as the winner of the 2024 Republican presidential primary race.
McCarthy, speaking on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” with host Maria Bartiromo, offered his perspective on the upcoming GOP primary, contrasting Trump’s popularity with that of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
McCarthy’s stance marks a shift from his previous neutrality in the Republican primary race, as he had refrained from endorsing Trump back in July.
When asked about his views on Trump’s chances in the 2024 primaries, McCarthy confidently declared, “I think he will be the nominee.” He highlighted Trump’s increased strength within the party since his earlier presidential runs, emphasizing the appeal of Trump’s policies that prioritized America’s interests and bolstered the economy.
Reflecting on the state of affairs, McCarthy said,
“We didn’t have inflation. We didn’t have these battles around the world. We didn’t look weak around the world.”
In response to Bartiromo’s mention of DeSantis attempting to cooperate with colleagues pushing for a government shutdown, McCarthy expressed his opposition to such a strategy, believing it would ultimately benefit Democrats and President Joe Biden rather than advancing the Republican agenda.
McCarthy emphasized his desire to achieve tangible results and praised Trump for his strategic acumen, highlighting Trump’s current lead over Biden in polls. In a direct comparison between Trump and DeSantis, McCarthy asserted, “President Trump is beating Biden right now in the polls. He is stronger than he has ever been in this process, and, look, I served with Ron DeSantis – he’s not at the same level as President Trump by any shape or form. He would not have gotten elected without President Trump’s endorsement.”
While McCarthy’s remarks do not constitute an official endorsement of Trump, they unmistakably convey a strong show of support and friendship toward the former president. McCarthy had previously irked the Trump campaign with comments he made during a television appearance in June, where he expressed uncertainty about Trump’s viability as the best candidate to challenge Biden. However, he quickly backtracked, issuing an email fundraiser that hailed Trump as “the STRONGEST opponent to Biden.”
McCarthy’s latest endorsement of Trump comes amid his ongoing budget negotiations and challenges from staunch Trump allies within the House Freedom Caucus. The outcome of these budget discussions remains uncertain, particularly given that some members of the Freedom Caucus previously opposed McCarthy’s bid for speakership despite Trump’s endorsement.
