"Trump is fine": McCarthy quietly moves to tamp down fallout from leak

The California Republican dialed up key GOP members throughout Friday and spoke to Trump by phone Thursday night, according to multiple Republicans. And he has so far managed to calm nerves inside the House GOP Conference and prevent a public revolt from his right flank, who could jeopardize his path to the speakership if Republicans win the House — depending on the size of their potential majority that his closest advisers are trying to expand to avoid any problems…

Some Republicans predicted there could be fireworks at Wednesday’s closed-door meeting as McCarthy is forced to answer uncomfortable questions about his past remarks, but they ultimately believe the controversy will blow over.

“People will talk and some knives will be out, but that’s the nature of Congress. At the end of the election cycle we are going to win back the majority. Kevin’s leadership will be a big part of why that happens,” said Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a North Dakota Republican. “It doesn’t make any sense to throw the guy who has taken all the incoming for two years under the bus right when we get control of the wheel.”