Just In: Mitch McConnell Endorses Trump After Nikki Haley Exit

With the Republican presidential field now reduced to a single candidate, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell officially endorsed former President Trump on Wednesday, according to The Washington Post.

“It is abundantly clear that former President Trump has earned the requisite support of Republican voters to be our nominee for president of the United States,” stated McConnell, as reported by The Washington Post. “It should come as no surprise that as nominee, he will have my support.”

McConnell's endorsement followed the withdrawal of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley from the race for the Republican presidential nomination, bridging the gap of strained relations between McConnell and Trump. The endorsement highlighted past collaborative successes during Trump's presidency, focusing on achievements like tax reform and a significant reshaping of the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court.

“During his presidency, we worked together to accomplish great things for the American people, including tax reform that supercharged our economy and a generational change of our federal judiciary — most importantly, the Supreme Court,” McConnell acknowledged. “I look forward to the opportunity of switching from playing defense against the terrible policies the Biden administration has pursued to a sustained offense geared towards making a real difference in improving the lives of the American people,” he added.

According to the Washington Examiner, McConnell's adviser Josh Holmes and Trump's campaign manager Chris LaCivita played roles in orchestrating the endorsement, aiming to unify the party as Trump gears up for the upcoming contest against President Joe Biden.

Trump, in an effort to consolidate Republican support, expressed his desire for party unity. "We have a great Republican Party with tremendous talent. And we want to have unity, and we’re going to have unity, and it’s going to happen very quickly," Trump asserted.

Following Super Tuesday's results, Trump extended an invitation to Nikki Haley's supporters via a Truth Social post, emphasizing the urgency of rallying against President Biden. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, the sole member of the Senate GOP leadership not publicly backing Trump, endorsed him on Wednesday, as reported by NBC.

Despite not formally endorsing Trump in her exit speech, Nikki Haley acknowledged the likelihood of Trump becoming the Republican nominee. “In all likelihood, Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee when our party convention meets in July. I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America’s president,” Haley remarked. She urged Trump to earn the votes of those within and beyond the party who did not initially support him, emphasizing the inclusive nature of effective politics.