McCarthy Reportedly Tells Fox Host Off-Air: I've Had It With Liz Cheney, Lost Confidence in Her
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy reportedly told “Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocy Tuesday that he’s “had it” with Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the No. 3 Republican in House.
The off-air remarks came in conjunction with an interview in which McCarthy discussed GOP House members’ dissatisfaction with Cheney, according to an audio recording reviewed by Axios.
“I think she’s got real problems,” McCarthy told Doocy. “I’ve had it with … I’ve had it with her. You know, I’ve lost confidence. … Well, someone just has to bring a motion, but I assume that will probably take place.”
NEW: Kevin McCarthy was caught trashing Liz Cheney on a hot mic, saying, “I think she’s got real problems” and that he’s “lost confidence” in her. https://t.co/FONJlAaDAE
— Axios (@axios) May 4, 2021
While on-air, McCarthy confirmed Cheney’s future as House Republican Conference Chair is a topic of discussion.
Doocy asked the minority leader if the main issue is Cheney’s vote to impeach Trump. Ten GOP House members voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump in January, but Cheney was the only one in leadership.
“There is no concern about how she voted on impeachment. That decision has been made,” McCarthy said.
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In February, House GOP conference members voted to keep Cheney in her leadership role with a 145-61 vote.
“I have heard from members concerned about her ability to carry out the job as conference chair, to carry out the message,” McCarthy told Doocy. “We all need to be working as one, if we’re able to win the majority.”
McCarthy added that attacking each other does not advance that goal.
The California Republican may have been referencing, at least in part, a Monday tweet by Cheney.
“The 2020 presidential election was not stolen. Anyone who claims it was is spreading THE BIG LIE, turning their back on the rule of law, and poisoning our democratic system,” Cheney wrote.
The 2020 presidential election was not stolen. Anyone who claims it was is spreading THE BIG LIE, turning their back on the rule of law, and poisoning our democratic system.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) May 3, 2021
The congresswoman’s tweet came as Democrats have sought to shut down the election audit of Maricopa County commissioned by Republicans in the Arizona Senate, which is currently underway in Phoenix.
Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona is among the Republican House members who support the audit push to ensure election integrity.
Today, I toured AZ’s election audit in Maricopa County. The tour is open to all delegation members, both Republicans & Democrats. I was very impressed w/ the diligence of the employees in keeping this process organized. It is paramount that we protect our election integrity. pic.twitter.com/DbIDxXvCFv
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) May 1, 2021
In response to McCarthy’s remarks on “Fox & Friends,” Cheney spokesperson Jeremy Adler released a statement doubling down on characterizing election integrity concerns as lies.
“This is about whether the Republican Party is going to perpetuate lies about the 2020 election and attempt to whitewash what happened on Jan 6. Liz will not do that. That is the issue,” Adler said, according to Politico.
Statement by Donald Trump on the 2020 Election, THE BIG LIE!https://t.co/7aZRlXqNbi pic.twitter.com/18ZygFx4s2
— MassRoundup (@massroundup) May 3, 2021
Apparently responding to Cheney’s tweet, Trump issued a statement later on Monday saying, “The Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020 will be, from this day forth, known as The Big Lie.”
Despite numerous allegations of voting irregularities, no court has ruled that there was widespread fraud that affected the results of the 2020 election.
