WASHINGTON –House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy and his allies are scrambling to contain the 

With Congress on recess, McCarthy, fellow lawmakers and various Republican interests spent Friday on the phone discussing the way forward amid the latest signs of friction. 

With Congress on recess, McCarthy, fellow lawmakers and various Republican interests spent Friday on the phone discussing the way forward amid the latest signs of friction. 

If you'd rule Morocco... This game simulates geopolitical conflicts.

The leaked audio not only revealed how Republican leaders privately described the former president as unfit for office but also how they publicly kowtowed to him for the sake of their own political futures.

Republican leaders spoke little in public, but other Republicans predicted the latest McCarthy/Trump explosion would blow over – unless Trump uses the incident to go after McCarthy's leadership position.

"I'd be surprised if the (House Republican) conference turns on him," said Republican strategist Alex Conant. "The one variable is if Trump goes to war on him."

Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Friday that his relationship with McCarthy remains good, though he is not pleased with some of the comments the congressman made to House leaders. Trump noted that, just weeks after his criticism, McCarthy paid a visit to his estate in Palm Beach, Fla.

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