Mitch McConnell FINALLY endorses Trump after his 14 Super Tuesday victories and only after Nikki Haley dropped out

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell endorsed Trump after his 14 Super Tuesday GOP primary victories.

His support came moments after Nikki Haley dropped out of the race Wednesday morning, after she won just Vermont on Super Tuesday.

Trump, 77,  and McConnell, 82, have had a contentious relationship going back to 2020 when the senator refused to say the election was stolen. 

Trump for years has lobbed vicious attacks at McConnell, who he's described as an 'old crow' and even a 'piece of s**t.'

As a result, McConnell dragged his feet on the endorsement and was the last member of GOP leadership in the House and Senate to get behind the former president by a long shot.

But he got in line following Trump's massive victory, securing 14 out of the 15 states with delegates up for grab last night. 

'It is abundantly clear that former President Trump has earned the requisite support of Republican voters to be our nominee for President of the United States,' the GOP leader said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

'It should come as no surprise that as nominee, he will have my support,' McConnell continued.

Trump replied with an uncharacteristically warm message to McConnell: 'Thank you, Mitch! I look forward to working with you and a Republican Senate MAJORITY to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' 

The nod from McConnell could open up a whole new class of donors backing Trump, who has already been forced to spend $50 million on legal bills. 

Trump, 77, and McConnell, 82, have had a contentious relationship going back to 2020 when the senator refused to say the election was stolen

His support came only after Nikki Haley dropped out of the race, after she won just Vermont on Tuesday evening

His support came moments after Nikki Haley dropped out of the race, after she won just Vermont on Tuesday evening

'During his Presidency, we worked together to accomplish great things for the American people including tax reform that supercharged our economy and a generational change of our federal judiciary - most importantly, the Supreme Court,' McConnell continued.

He helped Donald Trump push through three Supreme Court justices over his four-year term: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. 

'I look forward to the opportunity of switching from playing defense against the terrible policies the Biden administration has pursued to a sustained offense geared towards making a real difference in improving the lives of the American people,' the senator continued. 

A source familiar told DailyMail.com that McConnell and Trump did not speak ahead of his endorsement. 

The deal was discussed between advisors Chris LaCivita and Josh Holmes.

McConnell announced last week that he is stepping down from Republican leadership post in November, igniting a heated race for his replacement. 

The Republican senator, who recently turned 82, choked up on the Senate floor last week as he revealed he will leave the position he's served in for almost 18 years in November after a 'painful time' that included the death of his sister-in-law.

McConnell had battled constant calls to step down in recent months over his support for sending more aid to Ukraine.

He said last week that he holds a 'deep appreciation for the time that helped shape my view of the world, unconflicted about the good within our country and the irreplaceable role we play as the leader of the free world.'

The nod from McConnell could opened up a whole new class of donors backing Trump, who has already been forced to spend $50 million on legal bills

McConnell helped Donald Trump push through three Supreme Court justices over his four-year term: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett

'It's why I work so hard to get the national security package passed earlier this month,' he continued.

'Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular moment in time, I have many faults. Misunderstanding politics is not one of them.'

However, he said he is 'not going anywhere anytime soon' and will remain a U.S. senator, despite stepping down from leadership. He is up for re-election in two years in 2026.

Sen. Rick Scott is eyeing a run for Senate Republican leader and may make an announcement on his bid as soon as this week.

He met with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home on Monday.

Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, have already announced their intentions to run for the top spot.

Sen. John Barrasso, who was widely expected to enter the race, said Tuesday he will just be running for whip.