Rand Paul is a Republican senator from Kentucky who ran for president in 2016. He has had a complex relationship with Donald Trump, with some periods of collaboration and others of conflict.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Rand Paul was one of several candidates seeking the Republican nomination. He criticized Trump on some issues, including his lack of foreign policy experience and his proposed Muslim ban. However, when Rand Paul suspended his campaign in February 2016, he did not endorse any of the remaining candidates.

After Trump won the Republican nomination, Rand Paul eventually endorsed him in June 2016. Paul cited Trump's positions on issues like immigration and regulation as reasons for his support. However, the endorsement was not enthusiastic, and Paul continued to criticize Trump on some issues, including his use of executive power.

In the Senate, Rand Paul has generally been a supporter of Trump's policies but has also been critical of some of his actions. For example, Paul has been a vocal critic of Trump's foreign policy, including his support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen and his decision to assassinate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

In recent years, Rand Paul and Donald Trump have had some public disagreements. For example, in 2021, Paul criticized Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol, saying that Trump "bears some responsibility" for the violence. However, Paul has also continued to defend Trump on some issues, including his allegations of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Overall, Rand Paul's relationship with Donald Trump has been complex, with some periods of support and others of criticism. While Paul did eventually endorse Trump in the 2016 election, his support has often been lukewarm, and he has been willing to break with the former president on some issues.