Mitch McConnell cements truce with Trump, promises to attend Republican National Convention

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell will attend the Republican National Convention next month, furthering evidence that he’s buried the hatchet with former president and presumptive 2024 nominee Donald Trump.

“I don’t know what role I’m going to play, but I’m going to be chairman of the Kentucky delegation, as I have been for a number of years. And I’ll be there,” the Kentucky Republican told reporters of his convention plans.

Mr. McConnell recorded remarks for the 2020 Republican National Convention, which was mostly virtual because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But an initial comment from Mr. McConnell’s campaign that he would not have a speaking role — later deemed a “miscommunication” — stoked speculation that the Senate GOP leader was trying to distance himself from Mr. Trump.

That was before their relationship truly turned south. After the 2020 election, Mr. McConnell grew frustrated with Mr. Trump’s efforts to block President Biden’s victory and stopped talking to him after Dec. 15, 2020.

The Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol solidified the end of Mr. McConnell’s relationship with Mr. Trump. The Senate leader delivered a floor speech the following month calling Mr. Trump “practically and morally responsible” for provoking the riots.

Mr. McConnell had refrained from commenting on Mr. Trump in the years following, although he did say he would support whoever won the party’s 2024 presidential nomination.

When it became clear this year that Mr. Trump would win the nomination, Mr. McConnell endorsed him. The March 6 endorsement came the week after Mr. McConnell announced he would step down as GOP leader after the end of the year but remain in the Senate through at least 2026 when his term ends.

But the three-plus-year communications freeze between Mr. McConnell and Mr. Trump lasted a few more months. It finally ended last week when Mr. McConnell shook hands and spoke briefly with Mr. Trump during the former president’s meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Trump praised Mr. McConnell, who told reporters afterward that the meeting was “entirely positive” and focused on policy.

Attending the Republican National Convention further solidifies Mr. McConnell’s renewed embrace of Mr. Trump.

The former president, known for holding grudges, also made an overture toward forgiveness after the meeting with Senate Republicans.

“I’ve had a really great relationship with just about everybody here, with everybody here. Just about all of the senators,” Mr. Trump said. “And if it wasn’t fantastic, it gets worked out.”