Sen. Mitch McConnell told a gathered group in his home state of Kentucky that he’s hoping for President Donald Trump’s success with his tariff policy, but is “not yet convinced” that he’s pursuing the right approach.
“Put me down as not yet convinced that this is the best way to go but we’ll see. Maybe it will turn out the way that the president would like for it to turn out, but that is unfolding as we speak,” McConnell said.
McConnell addressed a gathering of a Rotary Club in a community center in Glasgow, Kentucky. Unlike some of recent town halls, where Republicans have at times faced tough questions from raucous crowds, this was a group that seemed largely excited about McConnell’s message.
He was received by the group with applause and spoke uninterrupted for about 20 minutes. He received a standing ovation at the completion of his remarks, and took no questions from the audience. No one shouted anything.
In his remarks, McConnell noted that during his lengthy political career, he has never been a particular fan of tariffs, and noted historical examples of how tariff policy has failed.
“I’ve never been a tariff enthusiast. And after 40 years in the Senate, I’m not going to change my view of that. And as you know the administration has a different approach. Let me just tell you I hope that it succeeds,” McConnell said, before outlining some of the historical examples to underscore his opposition.
McConnell, who has throughout his career butted heads with Trump, said today he’s rooting for him.
“I want you to know I want the president to be a success. I had a lot to do with his success in his first term,” McConnell said.
Still, McConnell has, since stepping down from his 18-year post leading the Senate Republican conference, established himself as one of few Senate Republicans to at times challenge President Donald Trump.
He has cast votes against some of Trump’s most controversial Cabinet nominees, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy.
He announced his intention to retire from the Senate at the end of his term in 2026.
He underscored his contributions to Trump’s first term, including his move to keep vacant a Supreme Court seat for Trump to fill and his work on the tax bill, which Republicans are currently working to renew as part of their massive reconciliation package.
He also said he’s committed, in his final years in the Senate, to “running through the tape” of his term. He said he is committed to using his final years in the chamber to shore up the U.S.’s position as a global leader.
While he said he wants to challenge China, he also emphasized the importance of U.S. alliances.
“It is Important to support our friends. Don’t lecture them. We are on the same team. We need to be operating together,” McConnell said.
Longtime Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell is facing constituents Thursday in his home state of Kentucky as Republican lawmakers continue to face hostile crowds raising issues with President Donald Trump’s policies.
Party leadership has advised against holding in-person events after some lawmakers faced volatile crowds back home in their districts and questions about cuts to Medicaid and Social Security, Trump’s tariffs and his deportation policy.
McConnell announced in February that he would not seek an eighth term in the Senate. He stepped down from his role as party leader last year after a record-breaking 18 years atop the GOP conference.
Since ending his tenure as leader, McConnell has been one of few Republican senators willing to challenge Trump. He has voted against Trump Cabinet nominees and been critical of Trump on his tariff policy, his efforts at election reform, and holding direct negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
He is speaking to the Glasgow-Barren County Rotary Club.
Angry constituents have confronted Republican lawmakers who chose to hold in-person town halls this week.
GOP Sen. Charles Grassley faced a contentious crowd on Tuesday in Iowa who peppered him with questions about Trump’s tariff and deportation policies and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency slashing federal agencies.
Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks at an event at the Glasgow-Barren County Rotary Club in Glasgow, Ky., on April 17, 2025.
Pool via ABC News
The same day, Republican Rep. Brian Mast faced pushback from angry constituents who pressed him on immigration enforcement actions and potential cuts to Social Security at three town halls he held in his Florida district. A scuffle broke out in the audience at one event before security broke it up.
On Tuesday evening, two protesters were tased by law enforcement and others were escorted out after they interrupted a town hall held by GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump’s staunchest supporters.