Kevin McCarthy expects Trump to 'adapt' after realizing people don't want a dictator
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said he expected Donald Trump to "adapt" and discard his authoritarian tendencies when he realizes Americans don't want a dictator.
The former House speaker made the remarks during an interview that aired on CBS' Sunday Morning program.
McCarthy revealed that he would endorse Trump for president in 2024 and would be willing to serve in the cabinet if offered the "right position."
"You praise Trump's policies," CBS correspondent Robert Costa noted. "You say he's a good guy. But many Americans, they look at his language, they listen to his speeches, and they hear an authoritarian. Some say even a fascist on the horizon in this country. What do you say to those people who have those real concerns?"
"Look, I don't see that, and this is what I tell President Trump, too," McCarthy responded. "What President Trump needs to do in this campaign, it needs to be about rebuilding, restoring, renewing America. It can't be about revenge."
"He's talking about retribution, day in, day out," Costa observed.
"He needs to stop that," McCarthy insisted. "He needs to stop that."
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"You think he's going to listen to you saying, 'Stop that. Stop that'? He hasn't listened to anybody before," the CBS correspondent pointed out.
"That's not true," the former speaker insisted. "He will adapt when he gets all the facts."
"He's not backing away from his calls for retribution," Costa pressed.
"Yeah, but remember, you have a check and balance system," McCarthy opined.
"Where's the check and balance on him in the Republican Party?" Costa challenged.
"America doesn't want to see the idea of retribution," McCarthy remarked. "If it's rebuild, restore, and renew, then I think you'll see that. And look – that's him."
Watch the video below from CBS or at the link.