Former Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) revealed in her upcoming book that in 2021, she confronted Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) for hastily heading to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Donald Trump just three weeks after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
According to an advance copy of the book obtained by CNN, Cheney questioned McCarthy, saying, “Mar-a-Lago? What the hell, Kevin?”
McCarthy explained, “They’re really worried. Trump’s not eating, so they asked me to come see him.”
Cheney incredulously responded, “You went to Mar-a-Lago because Trump’s not eating?”
McCarthy admitted, “Yeah, he’s really depressed.”
At the time, Trump was considered politically toxic following the January 6 events and his subsequent second impeachment with bipartisan support. Despite this, McCarthy played a role in rejuvenating Trump’s political standing.
Initially, McCarthy had stated on the House floor that Trump “bears responsibility” for the Capitol attack. However, he later backtracked, attributing responsibility not only to Trump but also to “everybody across this country.” McCarthy also asserted that Trump did not incite his supporters to assault the U.S. Capitol.
Shortly thereafter, McCarthy rushed to Mar-a-Lago for a photo op, publicly demonstrating his support for the former president. This move may have contributed to McCarthy’s brief and unsuccessful tenure as House speaker.
Cheney’s book reveals that other GOP lawmakers were “angry and disgusted” by the display of loyalty to Trump after January 6. She describes how some mocked McCarthy, circulating a photo of him with Trump along with a clip from the movie “Jerry Maguire” where Tom Cruise tells Renée Zellweger, “You… complete… me.”
In response, a spokesperson for McCarthy dismissed Cheney’s perspective, stating that she suffers from “McCarthy Derangement Syndrome.”
See the CNN report on the book below.
