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Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz received a blunt reminder of the GOP's recent election losses after he took to X, formerly Twitter, to cheer the news that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell would be stepping down from his leadership position after the November election.
Gaetz, one of the most prominent far-right reactionaries in Congress, boasted about having "86'd" several prominent Republicans, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and outgoing Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Ronna McDaniel.
He added:
"Better days are ahead for the Republican Party."
You can see his post below.
However, critics were quick to point out the previous support that former President Donald Trump had given to McCarthy, McDaniel, and McConnell and the GOP's track record under Trump's leadership.
The four-times-indicted Trump has continued to exert influence over the party, leading to internal conflicts and reshuffling within its leadership ranks. Additionally, many who've backed Trump's "Big Lie" that the 2020 general election was stolen were repudiated at the ballot box, and the 2022 midterms did not result in the "red wave" Republican legislators and pollsters had counted on.
This trend continued in 2023, with many Trump-backed candidates losing their races amid a nationwide backlash against the GOP for overturning Roe v. Wade, dealing a major blow to reproductive freedoms. Republicans have paid the price ever since and there is every indication that concerns about abortion rights continue to drive voter turnout to the detriment of the GOP.
Many have called out Gaetz as a result.
McConnell announced on Wednesday his decision to step down as the party's leader after the November elections.
Acknowledging a misalignment of his national security views with the current direction of the party led by Trump, McConnell emphasized his awareness of the political landscape within his party, saying that while he has "many faults," misunderstanding politics "is not one of them.”
The announcement, which had been previously disclosed by The Associated Press, was expected. McConnell encountered health issues, including a notable fall last year and instances of freezing during media appearances.
McConnell's troubled association with Trump, particularly following the insurrection of January 6, 2021, where he held the former President responsible, added to the factors leading to his departure from the party's mainstream.