Mitch McConnell’s Role in Facilitating Donald Trump’s Presidency
TL/DR –
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell became the longest-serving U.S. Senate party leader in history and his political career and decisions that led to deep polarization in both the U.S. and the Republican Party are highlighted in a new FRONTLINE documentary. The documentary focuses on McConnell’s successful quest to establish a conservative Supreme Court majority and his role in Donald Trump’s ascent to the presidency. McConnell’s move to block any Senate consideration of then-President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee after Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, and his subsequent support for Trump, were key in securing both Trump’s victory and a Supreme Court conservative majority.
Longest-Serving U.S. Senate Party Leader Documented in New FRONTLINE Film
This year, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell became the longest-serving U.S. Senate party leader. His political career, choices, and trade-offs are the focus of McConnell, the GOP & the Court, a new FRONTLINE documentary premiering on Oct. 31, 2023.
Amid a GOP leadership shakeup and queries about McConnell’s health and Senate future, the documentary explores McConnell’s influence in reshaping the Supreme Court and ushering in a polarized era in U.S. and Republican Party politics.
The film highlights McConnell’s successful quest to establish a conservative Supreme Court majority and his role in Trump’s rise to power. It recounts McConnell’s vow to block Senate consideration of Obama’s Supreme Court nominee following Justice Scalia’s death.
Despite initial reservations about Trump, McConnell eventually backed him, citing the Supreme Court as a key issue. His support played a crucial role in Trump’s victory and a Supreme Court conservative majority, as confirmed by interviewees in the documentary.
The legacy of McConnell’s 2016 actions continues to shape US politics. McConnell, the GOP & the Court offers an in-depth look at McConnell’s rise to power, its costs, and his far-reaching influence on the Supreme Court and U.S. politics.
The documentary, available from Oct. 31, 2023, can be watched in full at pbs.org/frontline and the PBS App. It will premiere on PBS stations (check local listings) and on FRONTLINE’s YouTube channel. The film is a production of the Kirk Documentary Group.
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