Trump Attacks McConnell Over RFK Jr. Vote in Fiery Rants/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Donald Trump lashed out at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after he voted against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services. McConnell cited RFK Jr.’s history of anti-vaccine conspiracies as dangerous, calling vaccines “scientific miracles.” Trump, enraged by McConnell’s opposition, claimed credit for his resignation as Senate GOP leader and mocked his political influence. The episode underscores deepening Republican divisions and the party’s continued capitulation to Trump’s influence.
Trump Blasts McConnell After RFK Jr. Vote – Quick Look
- Trump’s Outburst: After McConnell voted against RFK Jr.’s confirmation, Trump attacked him in furious rants.
- McConnell’s Stance: The senator denounced RFK Jr.’s history of anti-vaccine conspiracies, warning of public health risks.
- GOP Division: Other Republican senators supported RFK Jr. despite concerns, highlighting party tensions.
- McConnell’s History: He once condemned Trump over January 6 but later chose not to convict him in impeachment.
- Trump’s Influence: Trump boasted about controlling McConnell’s fate, warning Republicans against defying him.
- Bigger Picture: McConnell also opposed Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Hegseth’s confirmations, signaling his unease with Trump’s nominees.
Deep Look: Trump Unleashes Attacks on McConnell Over RFK Jr. Vote
The rift between Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell erupted into the open this week after McConnell voted against confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
McConnell, the only Republican senator to oppose RFK Jr.’s nomination, issued a strong rebuke of Kennedy’s long history of anti-vaccine misinformation, calling vaccines “scientific miracles” and warning that RFK Jr. would undermine public trust in medicine.
Trump responded with two furious tirades, slamming McConnell as a “failure” and “loser” while claiming responsibility for forcing him out as Senate Republican leader.
McConnell’s Stand Against RFK Jr.
McConnell’s opposition to Kennedy was rooted in his personal experience with polio as a child, a disease eradicated by vaccines. His deep respect for medical science and belief in vaccine efficacy made RFK Jr.’s appointment a red line.
McConnell warned that Kennedy’s anti-vaccine rhetoric would endanger public health by relitigating proven medical advances. However, his concerns were largely ignored by fellow Republicans, who fell in line behind Trump.
“Mitch McConnell knows RFK Jr. is a serial liar,” said veteran political analyst Norm Ornstein.
McConnell’s rejection of Kennedy followed his votes against two other controversial Trump picks:
- Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence
- Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense
Both nominees have aligned with pro-Russia positions, a stance McConnell has opposed as a longtime supporter of NATO and Ukraine.
Trump’s Fury: “I Was the One Who Took Him Down”
At a Thursday press conference, Trump raged against McConnell, ridiculing him and suggesting he had destroyed his career:
“Mitch McConnell never really had it. I was the one that got him to drop out of the leadership position.”
Trump dismissed McConnell’s concerns over RFK Jr., instead framing the senator’s “no” vote as a personal attack against him.
“He’s not voting against Bob. He’s voting against me.”
Trump further mocked McConnell’s political relevance, claiming he had “lost his power” and was no longer a significant figure in the Republican Party.
McConnell’s Role in Trump’s Rise—And His Missed Chance to Stop Him
Despite Trump’s hostility, McConnell played a key role in his political success.
After January 6, McConnell delivered a blistering speech blaming Trump for the Capitol riot, but ultimately refused to convict him in his second impeachment trial.
“McConnell had the chance to prevent Trump from becoming president again—and he didn’t,” Ornstein noted.
Critics argue that McConnell’s reluctance to break with Trump when it mattered most has now left him with little power to challenge Trump’s control over the GOP.
Trump’s Message to Republicans: Fall in Line or Face Humiliation
Trump’s attacks on McConnell are part of a larger pattern—a warning to Republicans that any opposition will be met with public humiliation and political destruction.
“Trump has built a culture of absolute loyalty—defy him, and you will be targeted,” Sargent said.
This strategy has worked before:
- Republican critics of Trump—like Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger—were forced out of Congress.
- Moderate GOP senators who spoke out against Trump faced death threats and primary challenges.
The Future of the GOP: A Party in Trump’s Grip
McConnell’s opposition to Trump’s nominees highlights a deep divide within the Republican Party.
While some privately acknowledge the dangers of Trump’s policies, they lack the courage to stand against him—a reality that McConnell now faces firsthand.
“They know he’s a threat, but they’re just letting it happen,” Ornstein concluded.
With Trump dominating the GOP and silencing dissent, the party’s future remains tied to his political ambitions, leaving moderate voices like McConnell increasingly isolated.
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