“They discussed many topics, number one of which was the 2022 recapture of the House,” the statement read. “President Trump’s popularity has never been greater than it is today, and his approval means more than perhaps any approval at any one time.”
The statement described the meeting as “cordial” and highlighted a stronger-than-expected performance among the House’s top GOP candidates, although Democrats retained their majority in the House by a smaller margin.
McCarthy’s visit comes at a tumultuous time for the Republican Party, following Trump’s role prior to the deadly riot that stormed the Capitol on January 6 and led to Trump’s second impeachment just days before he left office. Ten House Republicans voted to impeach Trump and the Senate is expected to take over the former president’s trial next month. Still, all but five Republican senators voted earlier this week that such a process was not constitutional and only outlined some of the dividing lines in the party, as the Democrats now control legislative and executive powers.
CNN reported earlier Thursday that two sources told CNN that some people had warned McCarthy not to go to Trump. A source familiar with the matter said McCarthy looked weak. Another source close to McCarthy told CNN that the California Republican was told he would look like he was “crawling back to Trump,” and that it would further isolate him from regular donors who want to get away from Trump.
McCarthy was also in Florida to raise money since the house is out this week.
This story breaks and will be updated.