Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and ally of President Trump, told senators ahead of Wednesday's Republican leadership election that President-elect Donald Trump He indicated that he supports Minority Leader John Thune (RS.D). ., to win despite choosing not to publicly support it.
Daines, who delivered one of Thune's two nomination speeches before voting began, said Trump had defeated Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). Two sources told Fox News Digital, including one person, who has claimed to be supporting Thune in the race against the US president. Senators in the room.
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Mr. Daines has privately encouraged other Republicans to support Mr. Thune. (Reuters)
Daines' office confirmed to Fox News Digital that Daines told colleagues before the vote that “Trump likes tunes.”
Notably, Scott has received public support from Trump supporters, including billionaire X owner Elon Musk. He also had the support of several senators who are Trump allies. However, he lost the election after receiving only 13 votes in the first secret ballot.
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Left: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 6, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Right: Sen. John Thune (R.S.D.) speaks at a press conference after being elected Senate Majority Leader by the Senate Republican Caucus in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 2024. (Left: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, Right: Nathan Posner/Anadolu, Getty Images)
There had been speculation before the campaign whether Mr. Trump would be satisfied with Thune's victory, given the rift between the two men during and after their first terms as presidents.
Since then, Daines said, Thune and Trump have kept in touch and apparently repaired their relationship.
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The new Senate Republican leader was chosen Wednesday. (Reuters)
Thun won the leadership election in the second secret ballot, receiving 29 votes, two more than the required majority of 27 votes. Cornyn received 24 votes.
The South Dakota Republican received early support from Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), another prominent Trump ally, who announced his candidacy shortly after he announced his candidacy. announced their support for him.
Following Wednesday's victory, President Trump congratulated Thune in a post on Truth Social. “Congratulations to Sen. John Thune, the newly elected Senate Majority Leader. He will move quickly and do a great job,” he said.
Mr. Thune wins in secret ballot and becomes the new Senate Republican leader, replacing Mr. McConnell.
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R.S.D.), newly elected Senate Majority Leader for the upcoming 119th Congress, speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., November 13, 2024. November 13th (TING SHEN/AFP via Getty Images)
As Daines suggested, there was no private support from Trump, despite the South Dakota senator's promise to grant recess appointments after Trump publicly urged party candidates to agree. Ta.
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Thune said only that everything was on the table when it came to confirming Trump's picks to the administration, and did not promise to unilaterally confirm them during the break.
Trump's transition team and Thune's office did not immediately comment to Fox News Digital.
