Trump now has "the opportunity and the obligation to unite our party around our goals," McConnell concluded. | M. Scott Mahaskey/POLITICO Mitch McConnell issues tepid endorsement of Donald Trump

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell offered a lukewarm endorsement of Donald Trump on Wednesday, a day after the real estate tycoon knocked his rivals out of the Republican presidential primary.



“I have committed to supporting the nominee chosen by Republican voters, and Donald Trump, the presumptive nominee, is now on the verge of clinching that nomination,” McConnell said in a terse, 75-word statement issued at around 8 p.m.



“Republicans are committed to preventing what would be a third term of Barack Obama and restoring economic and national security after eight years of a Democrat in the White House,” the Kentucky Republican continued.



Trump now has “the opportunity and the obligation to unite our party around our goals,” McConnell concluded.