Trump endorses Rep. Andy Barr in Kentucky Senate primary

2026 ElectionTrump endorses Rep. Andy Barr in Kentucky Senate primaryThe president urged businessman Nate Morris, a Barr rival, to drop out of the race and take an ambassadorship. Morris agreed and promptly joined Trump in backing Barr.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., at the Capitol Hill Club, in March.Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 1, 2026, 8:00 PM EDTBy Henry J. GomezPresident Donald Trump moved Friday to thin the Republican field running for Senate in Kentucky, endorsing Rep. Andy Barr and prompting businessman Nate Morris — who had support from key Trump world figures — to drop out of the race for retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell's open seat.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“I know Andy well, and he is always a Vote we can count on because he knows what it takes to GET THINGS DONE and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social site.The post came 16 minutes after Trump wrote that he had met with Morris on Thursday and urged him to end his campaign and instead accept an ambassadorship.“When President Trump asks you to serve your nation, you answer the call,” Morris said in a statement to NBC News, confirming that he has decided to drop out of the race. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Trump Administration, representing Kentucky and America on the global stage and fighting for the America First agenda.”In a statement, Barr said he was “honored” to have Trump’s endorsement.“Just like the President said at his Northern Kentucky rally in March, I’ve been with him all the way and I always will be,” Barr added. “As our next Senator, I’ll stand with President Trump 100% to deliver for Kentucky and to keep Making America Great Again.”Morris promptly endorsed Barr.“Like President Trump said, Andy knows what it takes to get things done and deliver BIG for the America First agenda,...