McConnell was not happy about Trump’s words.
On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) responded to former President Trump’s assertion that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country.” McConnell countered Trump’s statement by highlighting the apparent contradiction in his own actions, noting that Trump appointed his wife, Elaine Chao, a Taiwanese American, as Secretary of Transportation in 2016.
Addressing Trump’s controversial remarks, McConnell emphasized the inconsistency, stating, “It strikes me that didn’t bother him when he appointed Elaine Chao the secretary of Transportation.”
Elaine Chao, who also served in former President George W. Bush’s Cabinet as Secretary of Labor, holds the distinction of being the first Asian Pacific American woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet.
While McConnell has generally refrained from commenting on Trump’s provocative statements, the inflammatory nature of Trump’s comments on immigrants “poisoning” the nation’s “blood” has prompted a response from the Senate Minority Leader and other Republicans.
Trump’s remarks about Chao in the past, referring to her as “China-loving” and “Coco Chow,” have raised concerns. Marc Short, a former Trump administration official and senior adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, labeled these comments as a “racial slur” and “obviously wrong.”
Several Senate Republicans, including Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), have distanced themselves from Trump’s racially-charged language. Thune emphasized his disagreement based on his family’s immigrant background, stating, “My grandfather was an immigrant, so I don’t agree with that sentiment.” Tillis labeled Trump’s comments as “unhelpful rhetoric.”
However, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R), a staunch ally of Trump, defended the former president’s language, expressing disappointment that it wasn’t stronger due to concerns about border security. Tuberville remarked, “Because have you seen what’s happening at the border? We’re being overrun, so a little bit disappointed it wasn’t tougher.”