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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Minority Leader Mitch McConnell during an appearance on CNN Wednesday after the Kentucky Republican met last week with former President Donald Trump in is first return to Capitol Hill since leaving office.

In an interview on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront,” Schumer was asked whether he was surprised that McConnell shook Trump’s hand at their meeting — the first time the two Republican leaders had spoken since their fallout in 2020.

“Well, let me just say this. I think there are a good number of Republicans, McConnell included, who know deep in their hearts and deep in their minds what a danger he is to democracy, and what a disaster he’d be as president,” Schumer said. “McConnell should have had the courage not to show up. He knows, I think, he knows deep in his heart what Trump is like and what Trump would do,” Schumer added.

Most Americans disagree with Schumer’s assessment of Trump as president. Poll after poll shows that majorities believe they were much better off under Trump and the world was far less tumultuous. Prices for goods, services, gasoline, and rent were lower, interest rates were a fraction of what they are now, and there were no new wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

As for McConnell, his assessment of the meet-and-greet was “positive.”

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“We had a really positive meeting. He and I got a chance to talk a little bit, shook hands a few times,” McConnell said after the meeting. “It was an entirely positive meeting,” he added. “I can’t think of anything out of it to tell you that was negative.”

The bad blood between the two men increased dramatically after Trump riffed on McConnell when the then-Senate majority leader recognized Joe Biden as president following the electoral vote count in mid-December 2020. McConnell also blamed Trump for the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Republican lawmakers sprang an early birthday gift on Trump when he traveled to Capitol Hill on Thursday to meet with them.

Trump met with Republicans to discuss campaign strategies ahead of the November election. Trump unequivocally praised House Speaker Mike Johnson and emphatically pledged to help Republicans “win big” in the upcoming election. Additionally, he declared his intention to make a bid to win every state.

The lawmakers surprised him with a cake, according to reports.

“The meeting came on the eve of the former president’s 78th birthday and Senator Tommy Tuberville told Newsweek that Republicans presented him with a cake. It was reportedly chocolate,” the outlet said.

The outlet added:

[Senator] Mike Lee said the cake had “45” and “47” candles on it, a reference to his first term as president and the potential for him to be the 47th president, as well. Before blowing out the candles, Trump said he would make a wish that related to “everyone in this room,” according to Senator Cynthia Lummis.

Representative Matt Gaetz characterized the House meeting as a “pep rally” for Trump, emphasizing unity within the party. Trump urged Republicans to come together and avoid internal conflicts, offering to support members in tough races through tele-townhalls and other means. However, he also acknowledged that he was supporting some of their opponents.

During his address, Trump discussed several controversial topics, such as border security, China, and abortion. Regarding abortion, he recognized that the issue has had an impact on past elections for the Republican Party. He stressed the importance of implementing “common sense” policies that incorporate exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk, Newsweek reported.

Trump spent his birthday in the battleground state of Michigan, where he will address The People’s Convention, which is being hosted by Turning Point USA. The MAGA Conservative Coalition has planned a MAGA Boat Parade on Saturday on Lake St. Clair.

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