McConnell Roasts Trump’s ‘Poisoning the Blood’ Attack on Immigrants, Calls Him Out For Hypocrisy

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was asked on Tuesday to weigh in on former President Donald Trump saying immigrants are “poisoning the blood” of our country – a remark that apparently hit close to home for the Kentucky Republican.

“Are you comfortable with your party’s leading presidential candidate referring to immigrants as people who are poisoning the blood of our country?” CNN’s Manu Raju asked McConnell during a Capitol Hill press conference.

“Well it strikes me that didn’t bother him when he appointed Elaine Chao Secretary of Transportation,” McConnell replied, referring to his wife.

https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1737207772964397321

In September of 2022, Trump made headlines for a social media attack on Chao that was widely seen as both racist and threatening.

“Is McConnell approving all of these Trillions of Dollars worth of Democrat sponsored Bills, without even the slightest bit of negotiation, because he hates Donald J. Trump, and he knows I am strongly opposed to them, or is he doing it because he believes in the Fake and Highly Destructive Green New Deal, and is willing to take the Country down with him?” wrote Trump on his Truth Social platform.

“In any event, either reason is unacceptable. He has a DEATH WISH. Must immediately seek help and advise from his China loving wife, Coco Chow!” Trump concluded. Chao was born in Taiwan and served in both Trump’s and President George W. Bush’s cabinet – becoming the first Asian American woman ever to serve in a presidential cabinet.

Trump’s death wish remark was interpreted by critics as a threat against McConnell. MSNBC’s Chris Hayes commented at the time, “Kinda seems like the ex-president just posted a death threat aimed at Mitch McConnell… I mean, I guess he means it figuratively? Maybe?”

Watch the full clip above.