
Entry 050Jun 15, 2016
“There's two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump... Swear to God.”50
50Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Leader (U.S. Rep., CA-23), Private meeting of House Republican leaders, U.S. Capitol, June 15, 2016. Source
Why it’s on the record. When the Washington Post published the recording in May 2017, McCarthy's office first denied it, then called it a joke. The leadership closed ranks behind Trump for the next four years, and McCarthy became one of his closest House allies.
On the record
The day after reports that Russia had hacked the DNC, McCarthy told GOP leaders he believed Putin paid Trump. Speaker Paul Ryan cut in: 'No leaks... This is how we know we're a real family here.'
- Said by
- Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Leader (U.S. Rep., CA-23)
- Where
- Private meeting of House Republican leaders, U.S. Capitol (recorded)
- When
- Jun 15, 2016
- Source
- Private meeting of House Republican leaders, U.S. Capitol (recorded), June 15, 2016