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Trump’s future in doubt

August 23, 2017 | Expert Insights

Senate Majority leader, Mitch McConnell has privately expressed doubts on whether US President Donald Trump will be able to complete his full term.  

Media reports have confirmed that the relationship between the two men has significantly deteriorated.

Background

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare was one of the largest restructuring of the health care system in US. Its goal was to provide health insurance coverage to around 15% of the US population who did not have it.  The law was passed in 2010 but it was opposed by the Republicans. The party’s leadership argued that this law would be hard on business enterprises.

US President Donald Trump emerged as a staunch critic of this Act. One of the important promises that he made during his campaign was to repeal and replace Obamacare. The Trump White House had actively campaigned for this bill to pass. In order to replace the Obamacare, the Republicans came up with the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. However, it was highly unpopular in the Senate and among the American public. Despite having 52 of the 100 seats in the Senate, it did not pass.

Senate Majority leader, Mitch McConnell admitted that repeal and replace had ultimately failed.  McConnell has been the Majority leader since 2015. He is one of the most senior Republican leaders in America. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he had endorsed Senator Rand Paul in the Republican primaries. However, when Donald Trump was at the verge of becoming the Republican nominee, he endorsed him.

Analysis

McConnell has largely supported Trump ever since the latter became President. He has come to the President’s defense regarding some of his earlier controversies. However, since the demise of the Republican healthcare bill, the relationship between Trump and McConnell has significantly deteriorated.

According to a report in New York Times, Trump reportedly berated McConnell during a phone call which became increasingly heated. The President had allegedly used profane language in the shouting match between the two men. Publicly, Trump has also criticized McConnell through his Twitter account over the failure to repeal and replace Obamacare. McConnell has privately expressed anger over the President’s remarks and his treatment of other Republican leaders. He has also wondered if the President would even complete his full term.

McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao is a member of Trump’s cabinet. She has so far deflected from answering any queries regarding the feud between the two men. Multiple media reports have confirmed that McConnell and Trump have not spoken for at least two weeks.

The feud between McConnell and Trump could severely hinder the Congress once it convenes next month. The President will need the approval of the Congress to tackle everything from tax reform to negotiations on government funding.

Assessment 

Our assessment is that the political cold war between McConnell and Trump will severely hinder agenda pushed forth by the White House. There is another reason why Trump needs the complete support of the Republican party. If there is ever serious talk about impeachment, not having complete support of his Presidency could be in danger if he does not have McConnell throwing his weight behind him. 

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