U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell speaks to reporters after an appearance in Louisville, Oct. 23, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)
LOUISVILLE — U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said the election is “a cliffhanger” when asked Wednesday if he still supports former President Donald Trump’s reelection.
The Kentucky senator fielded questions from reporters, including about his earlier endorsement of Trump, after a Kentucky Chamber of Commerce event. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat, have 13 days left to sway voters.
“Looks like seven or eight states that are going to determine who wins, that’s where both candidates are spending all of their time, which is smart,” McConnell said. “I don’t have a clue how it’s going to turn out. I think it’s going to be really, really tight.”
McConnell was also asked about recent comments by John Kelly, a retired Marine general and Trump’s former chief of staff. Kelly said Trump’s leadership was “dictatorial,” “fascist” and lacking empathy.
“I think the election is pretty clear,” McConnell said. “If you’re satisfied with the Biden years, you’re going to vote for the Democrat. If you think we can do better, support the Republican.”
A biography of McConnell, “The Price of Power,” written by The Associated Press’ deputy Washington bureau chief Michael Tackett, is slated to hit shelves next week. According to early reports, McConnell called Trump “stupid as well as being ill-tempered,” a “despicable human being” and a “narcissist” following the 2020 presidential election.
McConnell endorsed Trump’s reelection bid earlier this year following the former president’s Super Tuesday wins. At the time, McConnell said it “should come as no surprise” as he had said he would support the eventual Republican nominee.
Trump and McConnell have often been at odds. McConnell once blamed the former president for “disgraceful” acts sparking the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In February, Trump said he was unsure if he could work with McConnell in a second term. Days later, McConnell announced he planned to step down as the Senate Republican leader this November.
McConnell’s remarks preceded Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s visit to Louisville Wednesday afternoon. Walz, Harris’ running mate, is scheduled to attend a fundraiser for the Harris campaign. McConnell did not respond to a question about that appearance.
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