MAGA media flexes muscle on race for Senate leader
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Photo illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios. Photos: Andrew Harnik, Anna Moneymaker, Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images.
President-elect Trump seemed inclined to stay out of the Republican race for Senate majority leader, and told friends the bid by MAGA-backed dark horse, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, was "not serious."
- Now, MAGA media is cranking up pressure on Trump and Republicans to dump the two establishment frontrunners — Sens. John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas — and go with their MAGA choice. The campaign is gaining substantial steam online.
Why it matters: This is a high-stakes test of MAGA media — rallying together on the X, the most powerful Republican platform — and its ability to sway the new Republican governing majority.
- Trump could probably decide the race if he offered a full-throated endorsement.
"The people who just gave Donald Trump a sweeping mandate do not want Thune or Cornyn to lead the US Senate," popular MAGA podcaster Charlie Kirk, who has 4 million followers on X, tweeted Saturday evening. "They want Rick Scott. It's very clear. Share if you agree."
- Podcaster Benny Johnson, who has 3 million followers, tweeted: "A vote for Rick Scott is a vote to END the anti-Trump rot of Mitch McConnell in the US Senate. Thune and Cornyn are a continuation of McConnell's total failure."
Tucker Carlson called on his 14.5 million followers to flood Senate offices to lift Scott: "Rick Scott of Florida is the only candidate who agrees with Donald Trump. Call your senator and demand a public endorsement of Rick Scott."
- Carlson told Axios when we asked if the online campaign could succeed: "It's possible. Look at the numbers on this tweet. 11,000 comments in nine hours. Crazy. People care."
The big picture: The Senate majority leader will be the most powerful Republican in Congress — controlling not just legislation but cabinet confirmations. Thune is seen as the favorite in the secret-ballot vote, given his broad popularity with Republican senators.
- But several Republicans have gone public with their support for Scott, including an endorsement Saturday evening by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), a top contender for a Trump cabinet post.
- Scott also is backed by fellow conservatives Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
The bottom line: The GOP leader race is a secret ballot game. Outside or online momentum doesn't always reflect support from the 53 people who matter, but that momentum might tip the scales on a Trump endorsement — which could change everything.
