“There’s two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump,” Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said, according to a recording of the June 15, 2016, exchange, which was listened to and verified by The Washington Post. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is a Californian Republican known in Congress as a fervent defender of Putin and Russia.
“There’s . . . there’s two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump,” McCarthy said, drawing some laughter. “Swear to God,” McCarthy added. [Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.)]
“This is an off the record,” Paul Ryan said.
Some lawmakers laughed at that.