WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says that while presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is “a phenomenon” and political outsider, he has earned the right to the GOP nomination and the party’s support.

McConnell says he does not believe Trump is changing the Republican Party “in a fundamental way,” but instead is helping the party reach out to voters who “have not lately voted for Republicans.” That, McConnell says, will make the Republican ticket competitive in November.

McConnell said he has no problem supporting Trump because he has won the most votes in the primary and caucus process. McConnell added, “We need to be respectful of the process.”

The Senate Republican leader spoke Monday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show. He is promoting his new book, “The Long Game.”