Kevin McCarthy tried apologizing to furious Trump but 'only made things worse': Politico

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) infuriated former President Donald Trump earlier this week when he expressed uncertainty about whether Trump would be the strongest candidate to run against President Joe Biden.

McCarthy reportedly apologized personally to Trump for this -- but Politico's Playbook is reporting that "McCarthy’s damage control made things worse."

In fact, McCarthy's team made a massive mistake by trying to fundraise off the blunder, as he sent out an email asking for money with the headline, "Trump is the STRONGEST opponent to Biden!"

"Fundraising off of Trump’s name without permission is a huge no-no for the former president, whose team requires explicit approval for any campaign to use his name and likeness," Politico writes. "Trump’s team, we’re told, asked McCarthy’s last night to take down the fundraising pitch."

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Adding to the drama, some Trump supporters are not happy that McCarthy has not yet given the former president his endorsement in the crowded 2024 Republican primary.

"“At what point is it okay for Kevin McCarthy not to endorse Trump?” one GOP campaign consultant told the publication. “Donald Trump has been very good to Kevin McCarthy.”