Mcconnell says he would support Trump bid if he wins nomination in 2024

WASHINGTON – Less than a month after excoriating Donald Trump in a blistering floor speech, Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mcconnell says he would “absolutely” support the former president again if he secured the Republican nomination in 2024.

The Kentucky Republican told Fox News on Thursday night that there’s still “a lot to happen between now” and the next presidential election.

“I’ve got at least four members that I think are planning on running for president, plus governors and others,” Mcconnell said. “There’s no incumbent. Should be a wide open race.”

But when directly asked if he would support Trump again were he to win the nomination, Mcconnell responded: “The nominee of the party? Absolutely.”

Mcconnell’s remarks underscore an awkward balancing act he has sought to maintain since Trump lost the election, reflecting the reality that Mcconnell’s own path back to power in the Senate hinges on enthusiasm from a party base that still ardently supports Trump.

Mcconnell’s comments precede an annual gathering of conservative activists that is expected to showcase Trump’s vise-grip hold on the GOP base.

Trump, along with most other leading 2024 presidential prospects, is set to address the Conservative Political Action Conference, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, this year. Mcconnell, a regular at the annual conference, will not be on the program following his condemnation of Trump.

Shortly after voting to acquit Trump at his second impeachment trial, Mcconnell delivered a scalding denunciation of Trump from the Senate floor, calling him “morally responsible” for the

Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. In turn, Trump blistered Mcconnell as a “dour, sullen and unsmiling political hack.”

The 36-year Senate veteran had an expedient relationship with Trump while he was in office. He made a habit of saying little about many of Trump’s outrageous comments.

But together they secured key Senate victories, such as the 2017 tax cuts and the confirmations of three Supreme Court justices and more than 200 other federal judges.

Recently, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, a longtime Trump opponent, predicted the former president would win the nomination if he ran again.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mcconnell, R-KY., arrives for votes on President Joe Biden’s cabinet nominees at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.