Trump-directed email criticizes McConnell, includes polling graphic

By Leigh Ann Caldwell and Rebecca Shabad

WASHINGTON — House Republicans received an email Monday from a White House aide that showed a graphic critical of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and that said it was sent at the request of President Donald Trump.

The email wa from Molly A. Michael, special assistant to the president and Oval Office operations coordinator, according to two House Republicans who received the email.

A graphic was attached to the email, obtained by NBC News, and it showed a timeline of McConnell's polling numbers since May against his 2020 Democratic challenger, Amy McGrath. It suggested that McConnell was re-elected only because of Trump.

It said: "Sadly, Mitch forgot. He was the first one off the ship!"

The email suggested Trump is good for the Republican Party and led to the re-elections of GOP members. This comes as congressional Republicans face pressure to defend the president and challenge the election results

The email was sent after a meeting between the president and House Republicans Monday about "fighting back" in support of unfounded claims of voter fraud.

McConnell recognized Joe Biden’s election victory and called him the president-elect last Tuesday, after the Electoral College certified his win.

Michelle Obama Defends First Lady-Elect Dr. Jill Biden After That Misogynistic Op-Ed

"Is this really the example we want to set for the next generation?"

By Rachel Epstein

On Friday evening, the Wall Street Journal  criticizing First Lady-elect Dr. Jill Biden's use of the title "Dr." before her name, calling it "fraudulent, not to say a touch comic" because she isn't a medical doctor. To be clear, Dr. Biden earned her doctoral degree, as well as master's degrees—the author simply decided it wasn't up to his standards.

People expressed their anger and frustration on Twitter, calling the op-ed "a disgusting display of misogyny," as well as sexist and disrespectful. Today, Michelle Obama has something to say about it as well. On Monday morning, the former first lady posted a message on Instagram praising Dr. Biden's accomplishments and asking us, "Is this really the example we want to set for the next generation?"

Read Michele's story  about her 

For eight years, I saw Dr. Jill Biden do what a lot of professional women do—successfully manage more than one responsibility at a time, from her teaching duties to her official obligations in the White House to her roles as a mother, wife, and friend. And right now, we’re all seeing what also happens to so many professional women, whether their titles are Dr., Ms., Mrs., or even First Lady: All too often, our accomplishments are met with skepticism, even derision. We’re doubted by those who choose the weakness of ridicule over the strength of respect. And yet somehow, their words can stick—after decades of work, we’re forced to prove ourselves all over again.

Is this really the example we want to set for the next generation?

Dr. Biden gives us a better example. And this is why I feel so strongly that we could not ask for a better First Lady. She will be a terrific role model not just for young girls but for all of us, wearing her accomplishments with grace, good humor, and yes, pride. I’m thrilled that the world will see what I have come to know—a brilliant woman who has distinguished herself in her profession and with the life she lives every day, always seeking to lift others up, rather than tearing them down."