Never ever forget that Kevin McCarthy knew that Putin was paying Trump in 2016 (along w/Ryan, Scalis
.... and McConnell [he was told by US Intel]) and kept the subject hidden or when approached by the
Washington Post just said he was "just joking.
Theres two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump, McCarthy said, according to Entous, a superb reporter who heard a tape recording of the colloquy. Swear to God.
Dana Rohrabacher is a Republican from California with a peculiar amalgam of views: pro-marijuana, dubious about climate change, pro-torture. For this last position, in 2007, Keith Olbermann awarded him his periodic Worst Person in the World award, on his old MSNBC show. Like Trump, Rohrabacher has been highly solicitous of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last year, Politico ran an article on Rohrabacher called Putins Favorite Congressman.
In the Post piece, McCarthys remark is met with laughter, and Ryan cautions his colleagues, This is an off the record . . . No leaks! . . . All right?
And then, amid more laughter, Ryan says, This is how we know were a real family here.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/paul-ryan-keeps-it-family-kevin-mccarthy-russia-trump