Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., officially endorsed Donald Trump in a post on X. The announcement came more than three months after Election Day 2024.
Paul highlighted Trump's cabinet choices and a Truth Social post. In it, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. That sealed the deal for Paul.
"A few people may have noticed that I resisted an enthusiastic endorsement of Donald Trump during the election. But now, I’m amazed by the Trump cabinet (many of whom I would have picked)," Paul wrote. "I love his message to the Ukrainian warmongers, and along with his DOGE initiative shows I was wrong to withhold my endorsement."
Paul admitted his endorsement came late but insisted it was sincere. "So today, admittedly a little tardy, I give Donald Trump my enthusiastic endorsement! (Too little too late some will say, but, you know, it is sincere, there is that.)," he said. He praised Trump's resilience, adding, "Don’t expect this endorsement to be fawning. I still think tariffs are a terrible idea, but Dios Mio, what courage, what tenacity. Go @realDonaldTrump Go!"
Paul praised Trump’s pick of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. He also supported naming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
However, Paul won’t back Trump’s choice for Labor Department secretary. He opposes former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer for the role.
Paul has a history of making strong political statements. Before the Iowa caucuses, he issued an anti-endorsement of Nikki Haley.
Last year, Paul hinted at his stance on Trump. In an interview on "Honestly with Bari Weiss," he confirmed he’d vote for Trump over Kamala Harris.