A major scoop by CNN turned out to be just more of the same fake news after former Speaker of the House Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said that he has no intentions of resigning from Congress, leaving the cable news and political opinion network with egg dripping down its face.
Speculation has been swirling about McCarthy’s future following his humiliating ouster from the Speaker’s chair earlier this week when a motion to vacate by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) was successful. But the self-proclaimed “most-trusted name in news” jumped the gun after it based its reporting on a story by Politico that he would be stepping down.
(Video: CNN)
Capitol Hill reporter Melanie Zanona reported, “Talking to sources who are close to Kevin McCarthy, they are expecting him to leave before the end of his term, this is something that he has been toying with and he even said in a closed-door conference meeting after he was removed as speaker that he wants to go home and spend time with his family.”
But Zanona’s scoop was news to McCarthy who denied that he intended to beat an early retreat after his gavel was taken away and hinted that he plans to run for reelection next year.
MCCARTHY says he will not resign from Congress, saying he still has “work to do,” though he has sent different signals in private conversations @MZanona pic.twitter.com/wjq4nWeATl
— Haley Talbot (@haleytalbotcnn) October 6, 2023
“You’re not resigning?” asked a disappointed member of the press, to which the ex-speaker said no and that he has a “lot more” to do.
“I’m not resigning. I got a lot more work to do,” McCarthy told the gaggle of reporters at the Capitol.
Asked if he planned to run for reelection,” McCarthy answered “yes.”
“We’re gonna keep the majority,” he pledged. “We’re gonna expand it further.”
The congressman declined to say who he would favor as his successor and when asked about the prospect of former President Donald J. Trump being involved in the process, he told the reporters “Only members vote.”
The early favorites to take over for McCarthy are House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) with Trump saying that he would be willing to take over for a short period if needed.
Trump also threw his support to Jordan in a post to Truth Social.
(Screenshot: Truth Social)
“Congressman Jim Jordan has been a STAR long before making his very successful journey to Washington, D.C., representing Ohio’s 4th Congressional District. Respected by all, he is now Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. As President, I had the honor of presenting Jim with our Country’s highest civilian award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom. So much is learned from sports, and Jim was a master!” Trump wrote.
“While attending Graham High School, he won State Championships all four years, a rarity, and compiled an amazing 156-1 record. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jim became a two-time NCAA Division l Wrestling Champion,” he added. “He won his 1985-86 NCAA Championship Matches in his weight class. Jim has a masters degree in Education from Ohio State University & a Law Degree from Capital University. He is STRONG on Crime, Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment. Jim, his wife, Polly, & family are outstanding – He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!”
Unfortunately for Politico, the two reporters who got their information from the typical anonymous sources in “two people familiar with the matter” weren’t as dialed into McCarthy’s thinking as they were led to believe, but it wasn’t the first time that the outlet has flubbed a story, and it likely won’t be the last.
CNN may want to be more careful when it comes to repeating Politico scoops going forward, they have enough credibility problems with their own reporting.
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