Washington D. C.'s worst-kept secret was exposed for all to see on Wednesday as President Biden and Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joined hands to celebrate Biden's "infrastructure" bill at a photo-op in Kentucky.

Biden sang the praises of McConnell, who he called a "friend," the Hill reported. 

McConnell joins hands with Biden

Inside the White House, Biden officials are touting the event as a propaganda victory that, they believe, contrasts positively with infighting among House Republicans, who have yet to rally behind a Speaker of the House after winning the majority.

Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has failed numerous rounds of votes over three consecutive days, amid pushback from 20 Republicans who want an alternative. Biden, on his way to Kentucky, called the Speaker battle "embarrassing."

Biden's purpose was clear when he stood alongside McConnell at the Brent Spence Bridge to tout the virtues of "bi-partisanship."

"We can work together. We can get things done. We can move the nation forward if we just drop a little bit of our egos and focus on what’s needed in the country," he said.

Biden's "friend"

Biden went out of his way to praise McConnell, who shares Biden's open disdain for President Trump and his MAGA movement.

"I’m especially happy to be here with my friend and colleague of many years, and I might add the longest serving leader in the United States Senate,” Biden said.

McConnell returned the favor, calling Biden's "infrastructure" bill "literally a legislative miracle."

Critics on the right, including President Trump, have long disparaged McConnell as a "RINO" who has been too quick to compromise with Democrats. For his part, McConnell has vocally condemned Trump, holding him responsible for the January 6th "insurrection."

Biden's sham "unity"

In a Truth Social post, Trump suggested that those opposed to McCarthy, who Trump has endorsed to be Speaker, are targeting the wrong Republican, saying, "we ought to be fighting Mitch McConnell and his domineering, China loving BOSS," referring to his McConnell's wife Elaine Chao.

Of course, there is very little that it is genuinely "bi-partisan" about Biden, who has gone to extraordinary lengths to demonize Republicans as traitors to "democracy" -- even, at times, drawing rebukes from McConnell for his vicious rhetoric.

Despite Biden making it very clear he has no desire to negotiate anything on conservatives' terms, McConnell continues to play along with Biden's "unity" shtick. Thanks a million, Mitch.