impeached former president can't seem to convince republicans to get rid of mitch mcconnell as the leader of the gop. politico reports it this way tonight. despite months of attacks the trump-led campaign to depose the senate minority leader it has failed to turn up a formidable challenger to run against mcconnell. so does this in any way suggest waning influence by trump? can mitch mcconnell breathe a sigh of relief just yet? >> no, definitely not. i mean, listen, donald trump is going to maintain his vice grip over the bulk and frankly the growing energy in the republican party. but every now and then we see the national republican party kind of pat trump on his head and send him on his way and let the adults continue to conduct their business. that's what's happening here. donald trump is not going to have any outsized influence on the machinations in terms of the