Why it matters: McConnell has had an icy relationship with the former president and his MAGA-allies since 2020, when the Republican leader accused Trump of "provoking the events" of Jan. 6.

• The Kentucky Republican will step down as GOP leader at the end of this year, a move that Trump allies view as the final step to a total MAGA takeover of the Republican Party, Axios' Zach Basu wrote.

State of play: Until Trump's visit to Capitol Hill last month, McConnell and Trump had not spoken since December 2020. The two men shared a fist bump following Trump's remarks to Senate Republicans.

• McConnell said on the Senate floor following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that the former president was "practically and morally responsible for provoking the events" of the day.

• McConnell earlier this year endorsed Trump for president.