President Trump's mandate just got a little more complicated, as longtime never-Trumper John Thune (R-SD) was just elected Senate majority leader, setting the stage for him to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the longest-serving GOP leader who has held the top spot for the past 18 years.
Thune, the Senate GOP whip and the #2 ranking member since 2019, largely managed operation of the Senate floor since McConnell suffered a concussion in 2023.
As Axios notes, Thune's win "is a victory for the post-Trump establishment," as he's "not a natural, true-believer Trump guy like Rick Scott and his supporters are."
Several of Trump's most prominent supporters, including Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson and RFK Jr. had endorsed Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) in the race.
John Cornyn, an underdog to Thune, ended up finishing in a close second.
Needless to say, things just got more complicated for MAGA...
FLASHBACK: Here are Thune *and* Cornyn going on broadcast TV and TRASHING President Trump after the E Jean Carroll case just last year - 2023
— Jack Poso �� (@JackPosobiec) November 11, 2024
pic.twitter.com/JqHIWlFz2X
�cc: @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/c76qoG9hbX
— Dan Scavino Jr.��� (@DanScavino) November 11, 2024
Video resurfaces of Senator John Cornyn saying Trump "can't win in 2024" because he doesn't appeal to people beyond his base.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 11, 2024
Trump won the 2024 election in a landslide by appealing to people beyond his base.
Cornyn is currently fighting for the GOP Senate leader position but… pic.twitter.com/uWmyHFQ4di
So let me get this straight, Republicans want to vote for Cornyn to lead the Senate, where they only have the majority because of Donald J Trump, when a year ago, Cornyn was saying that Trump shouldn’t even run or be nominated by the Republican Party because he cannot win… pic.twitter.com/DMvUOVeSG0
— Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) November 11, 2024
THUNE IN 2018: The Mueller Investigation needs to move forward pic.twitter.com/Mup25fOm1h
— Jack Poso �� (@JackPosobiec) November 11, 2024