President Donald Trump used a Thursday afternoon appearance from the Oval Office to revisit a familiar target list, taking aim at two Republican senators he believes are standing in the way of the SAVE America Act: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
The remarks quickly drew attention online after independent journalist Nick Sortor shared video clips and excerpts on X. In the footage, Trump delivered a blunt assessment of both lawmakers, reserving particularly sharp criticism for McConnell, who is set to retire after this year, and Murkowski, who remains one of the most independent voices within the Republican conference.
Grifter https://t.co/Nu22P8OXGp
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 11, 2026
Trump's criticism of McConnell centered on long-running frustrations dating back to his first term in office. Speaking from the Oval Office, the president argued that McConnell failed to provide sufficient support for key priorities, including border wall funding. Trump claimed he was ultimately forced to secure funding through other means because congressional action never materialized.
He also pushed back against the narrative that McConnell's legacy should be defined by the confirmation of conservative judges. Trump argued that those judicial appointments were only possible because he won the presidency in 2016 and nominated the judges in the first place.
"Mitch McConnell is a bad guy," Trump said. "And I thought he was lousy at his job."
The president then turned his attention to Murkowski, a senator who has frequently broken with Republican leadership and who has often found herself at odds with Trump. During the exchange, Trump highlighted what he described as extensive support for Alaska during his administration and questioned why Murkowski continues to oppose him on major legislative issues.
🚨 President Trump is going HARD after the two RINOs BLOCKING the SAVE America Act — Mitch McConnell and Lisa Murkowski
Murkowski knows she'd LOSE HER SEAT with the SAVE America Act, as she can't win without rigging.
"Murkowski's TERRIBLE. Terrible to us, terrible to the… pic.twitter.com/fCGtcWiVrU
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 11, 2026
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, who was present during the discussion, praised Trump's record in the state, calling him the best president Alaska has had. Trump used that endorsement to reinforce his argument that Murkowski has been an obstacle despite federal actions he believes benefited Alaska.
The broader dispute centers on the SAVE America Act, legislation that has become a major priority for Trump and many of his allies. Supporters argue the bill is essential and have expressed growing frustration over what they see as delays in the Senate.
Murkowski has raised concerns that some Alaskans, particularly those living in remote rural communities, could face challenges related to identification requirements. Critics of that position argue that obtaining identification is already a practical necessity in modern life and reject the idea that large numbers of eligible voters would be unable to comply.
Last week I had to register a car. Now it is super annoying that our outsourced dmv outpost is only open twice a week and two hours on Wednesday so I guess I had to be a grown up and plan my day to go do it.
— Lu for Alaska (@luinalaska) March 21, 2026
Trump's frustration appears rooted in the belief that the legislation should already be moving forward. While McConnell is nearing the end of his Senate career, Murkowski remains a significant political figure whose electoral history has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to survive difficult political environments. Even after losing a Republican primary in 2010, she mounted a successful write-in campaign and returned to the Senate, a reminder that her political durability should not be underestimated.
For now, the battle over the SAVE America Act continues, and Trump's latest remarks make clear that he views opposition from within his own party as one of the biggest obstacles standing in its path.