Trump predicts GOP Sen. Murkowski will not recover for 'no' vote on Kavanaugh confirmation

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will not recover politically for voting against Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, President Donald Trump predicted Saturday.

What happened?

“I think the people from Alaska will never forgive her for what she did,” Trump told the Washington Post.

Kavanaugh was confirmed Saturday, following intense scrutiny and sexual misconduct allegations that were recently raised and dated back to his high school years. Kavanaugh denied the allegations and an FBI investigation found no corroborating evidence.

Trump predicted Mukowski would face defeat if she chooses to seek reelection in 2022.

“She doesn’t run for four years,” he told the news outlet. “She’s lucky.”

On Friday, Murkowski voted “no” on a procedural vote to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination. She also opposed his confirmation on Saturday.

“She will never recover from this,” Trump told the Washington Post.

The vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation had a one-week delay so the FBI could investigate the allegations. That “turned out to be a great thing,” Trump said, “a blessing in disguise.”

The president also praised Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) for her “yea” vote for Kavanaugh.

“I think what Susan Collins did for herself was incredibly positive,” Trump said. “It showed her to be an honorable, incredible woman. I think she’s got a level of respect that’s unbelievable. I really mean it.”

What did Sarah Palin say?

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin tweeted at the senator on Friday: “Hey @LisaMurkowski — I can see 2022 from my house...”

It wasn't clear if Palin was seriously hinting that she might re-enter politics.

“I don’t know anything about that,” Trump reportedly said. “It’s four years. That’s a long time. But they will not forget. They will never forget. What she did was unacceptable. Really unacceptable.”

Murkowski lost a Republican primary in 2010 to Tea Party challenger Joe Miller. She went on to win in the general re-election by launching a robust write-in campaign.