(CNN) President Donald Trump touted the release of pastor Andrew Brunson from a Turkish prison during a rally in Richmond, Kentucky, on Saturday, calling it "another tremendous victory for the American people" and thanking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"He was terrific, they all worked together ... that one wasn't easy. And we don't pay ransom," Trump said. "We'll probably now really establish a terrific relationship with Turkey."

At the rally, which was held to campaign for Republican Rep. Andy Barr, Trump also celebrated the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh last week and touched on familiar themes from previous rallies, including illegal immigration, health care, his proposed US Space Force, trade with China and Democrats as a socialist threat.

Trump also praised Kentucky Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul for their handling of Kavanaugh's confirmation process.

"Never has a man been treated so badly," Trump said at the event, which began just after 7:15 p.m., ET, at Eastern Kentucky University's Alumni Coliseum, calling Kavanaugh a "great, great gentleman."

Read More