US House Speaker admits Trump is stronger than in 2016

House Speaker McCarthy says Trump is stronger than in 2016, but isn't sure he's the strongest Republican candidate.

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on June 27 that the US media is trying to divide former President Donald Trump from members of the Republican Party, but many polls show that he is likely to represent the party in the 2024 election.

A Morning Consult poll released the same day showed Mr. Trump leading with 44% support in a hypothetical election, with President Joe Biden at 41%. Mr. Biden was followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who usually finishes second in Republican primary polls.

"Just looking at those numbers, we can see that Mr. Trump is stronger now than he was in 2016," said the US House Speaker.

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the US-Mexico border in Arizona on February 16. Photo: AFP — US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the US-Mexico border in Arizona on February 16. Photo: *AFP*

McCarthy's statement came after he said in an earlier interview with CNBC that he was skeptical that Trump was the Republican Party's best choice.

"I don't know if Trump is the strongest Republican. But I think any candidate can beat Biden," McCarthy said, adding that Trump's policies are better than Biden's.

Former White House adviser Steve Bannon, a Trump ally, criticized the House Speaker's remarks, accusing him of implying that the former US president was not good enough by only praising policies instead of praising Mr. Trump himself.

The US House Speaker has not expressed support for any Republican candidate. McCarthy has maintained a good relationship with Trump since the former president left office in 2021.

In addition to former President Trump, the Republican Party has many potential candidates such as Florida Governor, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and former Vice President Mike Pence. The large number of candidates may make the Republican race more fierce.

Ngoc Anh (According to Hill )

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