(RepublicanPress.org) – Former President Donald Trump recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Republican lawmakers — his first visit to the nation’s capital since he left office in January 2022. The visit also marked the first time the former president and House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have met face-to-face in nearly four years.
Media outlets reported that the two Republican leaders set aside their differences after years of public squabbling. McConnell said they had a “positive meeting […] got a chance to talk a bit.” The Kentucky lawmaker said the two men “shook hands several times” during the meeting and confirmed the former president received several standing ovations.
“It was an entirely positive meeting,” McConnell said, adding that Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) also attended the gathering. McConnell concluded his remarks about the meeting by noting that he couldn’t “think of anything to tell you about the [meeting] that was negative.”
Several other Republican senators who were at the meeting confirmed that Trump spoke highly about McConnell. One participant spoke with reporters under the agreement they would remain anonymous. They said Trump praised McConnell’s leadership and ability to count votes. The former president reportedly discussed the importance of uniting the GOP to ensure they emerge victorious from the November elections.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) echoed those remarks. He said as soon as Trump entered the room, he “immediately” started addressing McConnell’s accomplishments and “said he’s done his best” while serving in the Senate. Mullin said the former president “understands elections” and “understands the importance” of presenting a united front to help defeat incumbent Democrats.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) spoke exclusively with the Daily Mail about the Republican meeting. He said McConnell was “very gracious” when Trump entered the room. He said the minority leader walked across the room to shake the former president’s hand. “It was warm,” Hawley said, adding that the Senate minority leader gave Trump “a pat on the back […] and did that again” at the meeting’s conclusion.
Hawley noted that “there [were] no little barbs” between Trump and McConnell. He also said that McConnell opted to sit to Trump’s immediate right during the meeting, a meaningful sign that the two men had buried the hatchet.
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