‘He's earned the nomination’: McConnell stands by Trump endorsement as Hill visit looms

Mitch McConnell stood by his endorsement of former President Donald Trump on Wednesday, shrugging off any bad blood that still lingers over their icy relationship as Trump gets ready to meet with GOP lawmakers.

The Senate minority leader, who is stepping down as the top Republican in the chamber at the end of the year, said "of course I'll be in the meeting tomorrow" and emphasized that he hasn't deviated at all from his long-held posture toward Trump.

"I said three years ago, right after the Capitol was attacked, that I will support our nominee regardless of who it was, including him," McConnell told reporters on Wednesday. "I said earlier this year I supported him. He's earned the nomination by the voters all across the country. Of course I'll be in the meeting tomorrow."

The remarks by McConnell signal an olive branch of sorts toward Trump, whose performance in the presidential election is not only key to delivering Republicans the White House, but also a brawny majority in both chambers of Congress next year. Most GOP senators have said they will attend, though Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine — who have both declined to endorse the former president — said this week they have conflicts that will keep them from the lunch.