Trump endorses McCarthy's reelection bid, amid off-on political relationship

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy in his reelection bid Tuesday.

"In Congress, Kevin is a tireless advocate for the people of Bakersfield and the Central Valley," Trump posted this past weekend on Truth Social. "He is working incredibly hard to Stop Inflation, Deliver Water Solutions, and Hold Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi Accountable for their catastrophic failures and dereliction of duty.

He also said McCarthy has his "Complete and Total Endorsement."

McCarthy, a prolific fundraiser for the House Republican Conference, collected a record $31.5 million in campaign funding during the first quarter of 2022. He faces six challengers in the nonpartisan primary in the state's newly redrawn 20th Congressional District but is expected to win. 

The Trump endorsement should also help McCarthy in his bid to become House speaker should Republicans retake the House in November.

The Trump-McCarthy relationship has had its ups and downs over roughly the past six years.

It was particularly strong after Trump got election in 2016, calling McCarthy. But it appeared to hit a low point two months ago when McCarthy was heard on a leaked audio tape of a GOP conference call, after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and amid calls for Trump's impeachment, saying, "it would be my recommendation you should resign."

McCarthy argues the audio clip was taken out of context. Trump seemed to brush off the comment, though he said he "didn't like the call."