How Donald Trump lost Mitch McConnell – and is preparing his payback

The majority leader’s increasing independence from Trump, however, could backfire in a big way come November 2022, writes Washington Bureau Chief John T Bennett

Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, is   increasingly stepping away from his one-time partner, Donald Trump (EPA)

Where is Mitch McConnell’s breaking point?

That was a question asked for half a decade in Washington – and even beyond the DC Beltway as the country and world wondered why the Senate majority leader tolerated Donald Trump and his bombastic approach.

The Kentucky Republican, seen as the scion of the so-called “GOP establishment”, rarely broke with or even criticised Mr Trump’s most bombastic statements or tweets or policy actions. He mostly humoured the populist president’s threats about this or that piece of legislation, opting instead to guide Mr Trump towards signing those bills once the Senate sent them to his desk.