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Is Kevin McCarthy scared of Trump? House GOP leader dubbed 'traitor' for flying to Florida ahead of impeachment

McCarthy reportedly said that Trump didn't 'provoke' the Capitol violence and that 'Trump continues to have that ability to lead this party and unite'

In light of former president Donald Trump's upcoming impeachment trial, the Republican party is split as many stand against each other. But there is one person who is possibly already chosen his battles. According to the latest reports, Trump is expected to meet with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif, on Thursday. 

Many emerging reports say that the former president, who is awaiting his second impeachment trial in the US Senate, will meet top Republican congressman McCarthy. Trump has been keeping a low-profile after leaving the White House and moving to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where he now works in the "Office of the Former President".

McCarthy was one of Trump's loyal supporters during his one term in office. But after the former president's alleged involvement in the January 6 riot at US Capitol, which left five people dead, he was critical of Trump. The California lawmaker did not vote to impeach Trump but neither did he force House Republicans to back the ex-president, and in the end, 10 GOP members voted with Democrats. 

A source told Fox News that at one point, Trump told McCarthy that he bore some of the blame for the Capitol riot.

But last week, McCarthy reportedly said that Trump didn't "provoke" the violence and that "Trump continues to have that ability to lead this party and unite". Following his statements, McCarthy has been accused of walking back on his criticism to not isolate himself from Trump’s MAGA base. "He always puts his political finger to the wind and tries to shift," one House Republican told Politico. "It seems to be based on his personal ambitions."

Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate is set to start on February 8, 2021, after the article of impeachment was delivered to the high chamber from the House on Monday. Meanwhile, Twitter can't stop having multiple feelings about McCarthy and Trump's pending meeting. 

"@GOPLeader is a total douchebag hypocrite. I hope he brought enough chapstick for his visit to Florida," one user tweeted without feeling the need to coat their words. "Kevin McCarthy is a traitor agent working against America and that's why he's going way down to Florida to meet with the chief traitor Trump! Who's worried about Russia or China when the enemy is within America's borders clearly!" another added. "@GOPLeader Despite the mounting evidence against Trump, you kiss his @ss and heading down to Florida! You’re spineless Kevin McCarthy and fraud, no leadership except for a true American Leader, Bold Woman and Bad Ass @RepLizCheney -we  you, so stay strong! #LeadershipMatters," another concurred. 

Many cannot seem to understand why the GOP leader must come all the way to Florida to meet with the former president. "Why is Kevin McCarthy coming here to Florida to meet with Trump? He is still controlling the GOP from Florida. Power does corrupt some people. Why are you guys so scared of him? Somethings are worth fighting for even if you lose. Like your probity, integrity!! Have you no honor!" one tweeted. "@GOPLeader - Really Mr. McCarthy, your going to Florida to meet with Trump, aka, Traitor to the American Constitution??? Aren't you smart enough to figure out that this makes you more complicit to his past actions? Yeah...keep up the good work..." another added. "Oh wow, you miss the Orange abomination. So tomorrow you get to kiss his ring and an audience. What does he have on you?" another concurred. 

McCarthy's plans have further angered taxpayers who don't wish to pay for his trip since it is not an official trip. "The best thing repubs could do is embrace the impeach trial, let truth come out & convict. Make orange one irrelevant NOW. Get his poison out of YOUR party. What? Oh, Kevin McCarthy is flying down to Florida. Better not be on our dime. You stupid MFers. #ImpeachAndConvictTrump," one tweeted. "Goose stepping Kevin McCarthy is going to visit his furhrer in Florida. Just like Goring visiting Hitler in The Berghof. Why can't he just call instead of using the tax payers money?" another added.