The rift between Trump and the Senate Republican leader: 'We are stabbing each other in the back'

President Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are locked in a bitter power struggle that is overshadowing the Republican Party's functioning ahead of the midterm elections. CNN reported that the two barely speak, thwart each other's initiatives, and Trump has publicly attacked Thune's leadership. Most Republican senators have sided with Thune.

President Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are locked in a bitter power struggle that is overshadowing the Republican Party's functioning and its chances of retaining control of both chambers of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. CNN reported that the two barely speak, sometimes going weeks without a conversation, and that Thune learns of Trump's new initiatives through social media and the press. Tensions have escalated in recent weeks after Trump publicly attacked Thune's leadership and encouraged his supporters to direct anger at the majority leader, demanding the passage of the election bill that the Senate rejected. The two have not spoken in the last two weeks, and the divide has deepened since Trump began working to oust Senator John Cornyn and after Thune refused Trump's demands on managing the majority. The rift became public last week when Trump declined to express confidence in Thune, and Thune responded, "He doesn't vote in our elections." The struggle is dividing Republican senators: just over ten identify with Trump's base, while most of the rest stand with Thune. One Republican senator told CNN, "Instead of talking about our achievements, we are stabbing each other in the back."