WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Republicans cast secret ballots to elect South Dakota’s John Thune as the next majority leader, and MAGAs are furious that their ultra-loyal Trump choice was dismissed.
“This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today,” Republican South Dakota Senator John Thune (pictured at top) said today after Senator cast secret ballots to select him as the next Senate Majority Leader. He replaces 82-year-old Mitch McConnell, who is known for being super old and occasionally freezing up in press conferences.
“I am extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to lead the Senate in the 119th Congress, and I am beyond proud of the work we have done to secure our majority and the White House,” said Thune, who ultimately beat out Texas Senator John Cornyn.
Thune, 63, will lead a press conference with the new Senate Republican leadership team following the conclusion of a conference meeting.
Republicans chose Thune over Cornyn and MAGA loyalist Rick Scott of Florida, known to be extremely loyal to Donald Trump. Scott was the CEO of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation years ago, and oversaw staggering fraud against Medicare and Medicaid programs. He was forced to resign but took over $300 million in compensation on the way out, as the company was fined $1.7 billion by the Justice Department.
Thune had previously slammed President-elect Donald Trump and said he hoped someone else would get elected. He’s been called “McConnell 2.0” and other derogatory names including “the deep state choice” as he is known as more of a traditional Republican than a hard-right MAGA.
However, this afternoon, Thune tweeted, “Just got off the phone with Donald Trump. Senate Republicans are excited and ready to get to work implementing President Trump’s agenda on behalf of the American people.”
If Republicans take the House, Trump’s agenda will face mainly smooth sailing for at least the next two years.