"We're Closer Than Ever Before": Trump, McConnell Pledge GOP Unity
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WASHINGTON DC (CBSMiami) – President Donald Trump and Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell appeared together Monday in the Rose Garden in a show of unity that focused on tax reform among other things.
"We've been friends for a long time. We're probably now, despite what we read, we're probably now closer than we've ever been before," said President Trump. "The relationship is very good. We're fighting for the same thing - we're fighting for lower taxes, big tax cuts, the biggest tax cuts in the history of our nation."
In the past, President Trump has been critical of McConnell, blaming him for the failure to repeal and replace Obamacare but the President needs McConnell if he wants to get tax reform passed.
"Contrary to what some of you have reported, we are together totally on this agenda to move America forward," said Sen. McConnell.
"We've been friends and acquaintances for a long time. We talk frequently, we don't give you a readout every time we have a conversation."
The President's Senate outreach included golfing this weekend with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, both of whom he has criticized in the past.
But it's McConnell who will be the one to set the agenda and wrangle votes if needed and his job has gotten harder since Steve Bannon left the White House.
Bannon declared war on McConnell and the Republican establishment for failing to support the President's agenda.
"You had a few people that really disappointed us. They really, really disappointed us. So I can understand fully how Steve Bannon feels," said Mr. Trump.
Bannon has threatened to support primary opponents against three sitting Republican senators if they don't oust McConnell as majority leader.
Last month, a McConnell-backed political committee spent millions to support Alabama Senator Luther Strange in a Republican primary election, but Strange lost to Steve Bannon's candidate, Roy Moore.