Staff Reports
President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory in the 2024 election has sent waves of excitement through the MAGA crowd, but a recent event in the U.S. Senate has thrown a bit of cold water on that joyous celebration. In a move that showcased the squishy underbelly of the Republican establishment, Senate Republicans quietly selected Sen. John Thune, a reputed Trump detractor from South Dakota, as their new majority leader. This eyebrow-raising decision has already sparked outrage among Trump supporters, who appear to be just a tad unhappy with their party’s apparent preference for established insiders over the undeniable choice of the American people.
The reaction on social media was swift and merciless. Prominent Trump advocates took to the platform X to express their disdain. One notable voice, who boasts over a million followers, laid it out clearly: the GOP’s selection of Thune conveys a stark message of rejection to the very voters who back Trump. The sentiment among MAGA supporters is unequivocal—if someone is not riding the Trump train, they are riding a fool’s errand.
Thune may have claimed to support the Trump agenda during his announcement, but skepticism abounds. Many view this appointment as a sad reinforcement of the disconnect between establishment politicians and the grassroots movement that propelled Trump back into the limelight. Critics liken Thune to a “McConnell 2.0,” suggesting he falls in line with the old guard that has repeatedly disappointed conservative voters. It seems the GOP hierarchy has forgotten the lesson of the last election; voters are looking for action, not business as usual.
Adding fuel to the fire, some Trump loyalists voiced their discontent with the secretive ballot process that resulted in Thune’s selection. This behind-the-curtain maneuvering is seen as a cowardly way for senators to escape scrutiny from their constituents. If nothing else, this entire situation has stirred the pot and reminded voters that the swamp is still very much alive and kicking, making it clear that they might want to keep their eye on their so-called representatives in Washington.
Or nodding NeoCon Mikie
'We Don't Want You': MAGA Reacts to John Thune Becoming Senate Majority Leader, and He Won't Like What They're Saying https://t.co/EiHK2zinze
— Dawn Wildman (@WildmanDawn) November 14, 2024
It’s not just a few disgruntled tweets, either; calls for primary challenges are already bubbling up from the MAGA ranks. Some are urging conservatives to draw up a list of “sellouts,” with Thune’s name featured prominently, and suggesting that candidates must be found to remove these politicians from power. It appears the newfound energy in the GOP grassroots is signaling a potential shift in strategy that could shake the very foundations of the establishment.
While Trump himself has remained conspicuously quiet regarding the Senate’s choice of leadership, his focus seems to be on assembling a strong cabinet and unearthing what he would likely call “America First” talent. As his supporters bounce back from the Thune scare, they remain determined to hold their lawmakers accountable, vowing to remember who chose to stand alongside the party elite instead of the winning groundswell that brought Trump back to the forefront. If the establishment thinks they can carry on as usual, they might want to rethink their strategy—MAGA is watching, and they are not about to forget.
