CNN —Speaker Kevin McCarthy has scrambled to contain the fallout after he questioned whether former President Donald Trump is the strongest candidate in the 2024 presidential race – comments that outraged Trump allies. McCarthy called Trump Tuesday morning to apologize, two sources familiar told CNN. The call came after McCarthy said during a CNBC interview that he thinks Trump can win in 2024, but does not know if he is the “strongest” candidate. Allies were pleased with McCarthy’s apology, though several Trump advisers told CNN they were still wary of the speaker. Not long after the call, McCarthy also walked back his remarks in an exclusive interview with the right-wing publication Breitbart.

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Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, McCarthy, Trump, Breitbart, “, ”, Joe Biden, McCarthy’s Organizations: CNN, Trump, CNBC, New York Times