Leaked Audio Shows Kevin McCarthy Criticizing Trump After Capitol Riot

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), typically a public ally of former President Donald Trump, apparently considered urging Trump to resign following the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

On Thursday, the New York Times (Lean Left bias) reported that McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said they believed Trump was responsible for inciting the Capitol riot in the days after it. McCarthy initially denied the Times report; the report's authors appeared later that day on MSNBC (Left bias) and played audio of McCarthy on Jan. 10, 2021 telling Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) that "The only discussion I would have with [Trump] is that I think this will pass, and it would be my recommendation [Trump] should resign." In a separate audio clip reported by CNN and others, McCarthy told House Republicans on Jan. 11 that Trump "bears responsibility for his words and actions" and that Trump admitted to him that "he does have some responsibility for what happened."

The news was a top story from many left- and center-rated news sources on Friday. Many reports from left-rated outlets framed the audio as evidence that Trump was responsible for the Capitol riot and that Republicans were fed up with him despite their reluctance to admit as much publicly. Right-rated news sources were less likely to cover the story. Some highlighted how the news may complicate McCarthy's efforts to run for House Speaker if Republicans take back the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections.