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By Andrew Stanton
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Senator John Thune won enough votes to become the next Senate leader, sparking backlash from some supporters of President-elect Donald Trump.
Thune, a South Dakota Republican, received the most votes from Senate Republicans to become the next leader after the GOP retook a majority of seats in the Senate in this year's elections. Thune was viewed as a more traditional conservative choice, compared with Texas Senator John Cornyn and Florida Senator Rick Scott, the favorite of many MAGA pundits.
"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," Thune wrote in a statement. "This Republican team is united behind President Trump's agenda and our works today."
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However, his victory sparked backlash from some MAGA pundits who feel he has not been sufficiently loyal to the president-elect.
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Thune has not shied away from criticisms of Trump, calling his actions on January 6, 2021, "inexcusable," although he voted to acquit him.
"The Senate just f***** us and gave us Thune for Majority Leader. He *might* be worse than Mitch McConnell. So disgusted," wrote conservative commentator Joey Mannarino in a post to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
"Rick Scott missed the 2nd ballot by 2 votes to Cornyn[.] MAGA is pissed[.] We don't want Thune or Cornyn!!" wrote commentator Rogan O'Handley.
"We need to know which Senators voted for Thune and Cornyn. The American people wanted Rick Scott in office and we made that clear on Nov 5. This was an extremely important vote and the Senators who voted against Scott need to be ousted," wrote Savanah Hernandez, a reporter for Turning Point USA.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk wrote that Thune has a "short window to show us he will support President Trump, fill his cabinet, confirm his judges, and pass his agenda."
"If he does, we will support him. If he doesn't, we will work to remove him," he wrote.
Other Republicans, however, praised Thune's victory.
"Lucky to have started my Hill career working for@SenJohnThune and I'm thrilled to see him become Senate Majority Leader. Sen. Thune was an incredible boss, a kind, honest man, and I've never been prouder to be part of Team Thune. Congratulations, Mr. Leader," wrote Republican strategist Erin Perrine.
"Thune winning over Scott is yet another example of people in D.C. not giving one s*** what Twitter pundits think or do," wrote Meghan McCain.
"John Thune was the best option for Senate Majority Leader. The job requires a particular set of skills, and they aren't the ones that have been loudly discussed over the last week. I'm glad he was chosen. He'll be good in the role," wrote the National Review's Charles C. W. Cooke.
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