Donald Trump declined an invitation to speak at the House Republican retreat held at a mountain resort, amidst internal GOP turmoil and a significant drop in attendance, with less than 50% of GOP members participating. The event, hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously turned a leadership summit into a Bible study session, saw more than half of the GOP members opting out. The retreat aimed at unity and strategy planning in West Virginia faced challenges, including dissatisfaction over its relocation from Florida to West Virginia for being more 'family friendly' and criticism over its execution, leading to an 'abysmal' turnout. Some attendees even left early, with one member suggesting, 'They should have opened the casino,' questioning the retreat's effectiveness in resolving issues. The situation reflects ongoing disunity within the party, impacting its legislative capabilities against the Biden administration.
Satire by Alexandra Petri: The House Majority Retreat turned out to be excruciatingly on-brand for the Republican majority. This is a shame, because I think this agenda could have solved all their problems. https://t.co/bjtB5IWo7W
One thing we know to a metaphysical certainty - if Kevin McCarthy was Speaker the Republican annual retreat would not be in West Virginia right now.
At retreat, the House GOP does what it does best: Fail to show up, @petridishes writes. https://t.co/h0RxtwQPye
Of the Republicans who did dutifully attend the conference, many were left disappointed, directionless, and downright bored. https://t.co/45KnGPA3c5
Some GOP lawmakers who didn’t make the voyage had a relevant question: If House Republicans can’t solve their issues on Capitol Hill, why would a retreat be any different? https://t.co/L7spHIoOoy
"A majority of House Republicans retreat from their retreat," via @mariannareports & @lacaldwelldc https://t.co/S1p1PNCtZv
A dispatch from West Virginia in today’s #Early202: The physical representation of disunity was not the image House GOP was hoping to display after a year that has tested the majority & impeded its ability to consistently legislate against the Biden admin. https://t.co/ol3Di2VKIw
New: The already “abysmal” turnout to the GOP retreat worsened Thursday as some members started leaving early in the middle of it Asked if the retreat was helpful, a member said: “They should have opened the casino.” On the retreat w/@riley_rogerson https://t.co/Nd3YGqQJko
House Republicans huddled in West Virginia on Thursday for a strategy-planning retreat designed to unify the often-fractious conference as they head into the final months before the November election. https://t.co/MePFkvEL1f
After House Repubs grumbled that Mike Johnson turned their leadership summit in Miami into a Bible study session, less than 50% will attend the annual retreat this week. Some grumbled about him moving it from FL to WV because it was more “family friendly.”https://t.co/LtF7tplBsw
As House Republicans seek unity at an idyllic West Virginia retreat, many didn’t bother to come https://t.co/lrAmqOFbcz https://t.co/VVj8wZId8Q
House Republicans are seeking unity at an idyllic West Virginia retreat. Many didn't bother to come https://t.co/ONCq7EwMyr
Fyre Fest > House GOP retreat https://t.co/GRx0GiBJR6 https://t.co/WzhYyXUDXb
Donald Trump rebuffed offer to speak at House Republican mountain resort retreat after internal GOP turmoil led to low turnout: More than half the GOP members opted to SKIP event hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson as chaos continues https://t.co/MVhw6pyQJB https://t.co/JxsOXlxQMC
Donald Trump rebuffed offer to speak at House Republican mountain resort retreat https://t.co/OYleXwOZje https://t.co/p2GdFPyRdq