Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) shared a politically aligned relationship, evident from Rutherford's vocal support during McCarthy's bid for House Speaker. This support was not just verbal; Rutherford actively defended McCarthy against criticisms, particularly during the tumultuous January 2023 speaker election and the October 2023 vote to remove McCarthy from the speakership. Rutherford's defense of McCarthy, describing the latter's ouster as a "personal vendetta" by Rep. Matt Gaetz, underscores a level of political loyalty or camaraderie.

Their relationship extended beyond mere political support to include joint appearances at events. McCarthy stumped for Rutherford during his 2016 campaign for Congress, which suggests a personal and professional connection. Public statements by Rutherford, where he openly criticized McCarthy's detractors within the party, further illustrate this bond. While these actions do not necessarily confirm a deep personal friendship, they certainly indicate a strong political partnership or alliance.
 

Social media commentary on platforms like X also reflects this relationship, with some users labeling Rutherford as one of McCarthy's close allies or "butt boys," indicating a perception of close alignment. While the term "good friend" might suggest a personal relationship, in the context of politics, their interactions show at least a robust supportive relationship during McCarthy's time as Speaker and in the preceding years. However, without direct insight into their personal interactions, we can only infer from their public political engagements that they were aligned politically and possibly personally supportive of each other.