Trump Praises Kavanaugh: That's 'Why I Nominated Him'

President Trump was pleased with his Supreme Court nominee's performance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, tweeting that Brett Kavanaugh "showed America exactly why I nominated him." Politico described the mood of Trump and his aides as "ebullient." Trump watched Kavanaugh's opening statement (which Politico calls "combative") and was pleased, an official said. "I think [Kavanaugh] studied the way people around Donald Trump have been treated, and he figured out a way to prevail," the official said.

A source speaking to CNN during the hearing summed it up: "The only way to earn respect in Trumpworld is to brawl. And [Kavanaugh] is brawling." Following the hearing, three Republican senators (Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Jeff Flake) and a Democratic one (Joe Manchin) met privately in an office at the Capitol, CNN reports, noting that the three Republicans are the wildcards for whether Kavanaugh will be confirmed. (More Brett Kavanaugh stories.)