Elaine Chao on Trump-McConnell feud: ‘I stand by my man — both of them’

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said she supports both her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and President Trump amid the commander in chief’s ongoing fight with the senator.

“I stand by my man — both of them,” Chao told reporters in New York City on Tuesday.

Chao participated in an infrastructure discussion with the president at Trump Tower, and stood at his side when he delivered remarks on a new executive order aimed at reducing regulation later in the afternoon.

Chao has been caught in the middle of the escalating feud between McConnell, her husband of 24 years, and Trump, who is her boss.

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Trump has repeatedly tweeted criticism of the Kentucky Republican following the Senate’s failure to pass legislation to repeal and replace ObamaCare, going so far as to suggest that McConnell step down if he can’t get Trump’s agenda through the chamber.

But while there had been some speculation that the spat could alienate Chao — a key player overseeing one of Trump’s top legislative priorities — the broad consensus is that the veteran political player will be unfazed by the controversy and is unlikely to resign over the issue.

Trump has also been careful to separate his harsh criticism of McConnell from his positive feelings toward Chao. He emphasized again on Tuesday that she “is doing a fabulous job.”

Still, some say that if Trump’s warning shots turn into action — like mounting a campaign to push McConnell into stepping down — it’s possible that it could impact Chao, who would be in an even more uncomfortable spot than she is now.