Republican senators dismiss worries over Thune's connections with Trump
The newly appointed Senate majority leader has voiced criticism towards the president-elect; however, even senators from the conservative camp showed optimism regarding his ability to collaborate effectively with Trump.
TroibNews 
John Thune secured victory in his campaign for GOP leader by concentrating on two main goals: nurturing relationships with Republican senators and reconciling with Donald Trump.
In recent months, Thune has made substantial financial contributions to his colleagues and participated actively in their campaigns. He maintained direct communication with Trump, including conversations after the recent general election. Thune successfully resisted pressures from conservative factions and MAGA supporters to support Sen. Rick Scott for the GOP leadership position.
“I've been focused on my colleagues,” Thune stated. He won against Sen. John Cornyn on the second ballot with a vote count of 29-24, while Scott was eliminated after the first.
Thune's ability to navigate a politically charged environment provides an early indication of his strategy to balance leadership of a traditionally bipartisan Senate while satisfying Trump during a time when Republicans have control over all branches of government.
An institutionalist, much like his predecessor, current Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Thune has made an effort to maintain a relationship with Trump while concentrating on the senators who will be crucial for his leadership. The support he received from fellow senators underscores their commitment to maintaining their legislative powers, even as they seek to advance much of Trump’s agenda — numerous Thune supporters noted their desire to uphold the separation of powers as a primary reason behind their vote.
The reconciliation between Thune and Trump was significant for senators, especially in light of past criticisms aimed at the former president. Following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Thune labeled Trump’s behavior as “inexcusable.” He was also the first member of the congressional GOP leadership to urge Trump to withdraw from the presidential race after the infamous Access Hollywood tape was released.
Despite Thune's history, even conservative senators currently show no concern about it.
“J.D. Vance once referred to him as Hitler, and he's vice president,” remarked Sen. Kevin Cramer regarding Thune’s former critique of Trump. “So, one thing I know about Donald Trump: he's got that sort of jocular, masculine ability to let the past be the past and embrace and pray in the middle of the 50-yard line after the game.”
Cramer, who supports Thune, described Trump as “not an irrelevant factor, but not the main factor” in the voting process for leadership.
“They're in a good place with each other,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Thune ally who's recently spent time around Trump. “There's no rift between them. There are no concerns about their relationship at all.”
Nevertheless, potential areas of conflict remain, particularly regarding the Senate filibuster. The president-elect has at times advocated for the elimination of the 60-vote threshold, even pressuring then-Majority Leader McConnell during his initial presidential term, while Thune has publicly affirmed his intention to maintain the existing threshold.
Additionally, moderates like Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have expressed vocal opposition to Trump at times, and Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted for Trump’s conviction in his second impeachment trial, is still in the Senate.
Trump, who was in Washington for meetings with the House Republican conference and President Joe Biden, did not provide immediate comment after the new Senate GOP leadership was confirmed. However, he and Thune have communicated frequently in the months leading up to this point, including a call following Thune's victory on Wednesday.
“[Thune] said over and over and over and over that he was going to make President Trump's agenda his agenda, and so I feel good about that,” said conservative Sen. Josh Hawley, who supported Cornyn.
Many senators highlighted that Thune's voting record aligned with Trump over 90 percent of the time during Trump’s first term, as noted by a FiveThirtyEight average, a detail emphasized during a candidate forum and nomination speeches.
“President Trump and Sen. Thune I think will do a great job working together,” commented Sen. Katie Britt. “Sen. Thune is ready for change, and he knows that America is expecting results.”
However, this voting record does not overshadow Thune's past conflicts with Trump. He initially supported Sen. Tim Scott in the 2024 Republican primary before shifting allegiance to Trump once Scott exited the race. Moreover, Trump attempted to rally support for a primary challenger against Thune for the 2022 election but was ultimately unsuccessful.
In spite of their contentious history, Cornyn and Scott both expressed their backing for Thune’s leadership and pledged unity among Republicans to advance their collective agenda.
“There's no division,” Cornyn asserted. “I think it's really important for our conference to stay together, to be as effective as we can be... It was a secret ballot so, I don't think any of us know exactly who voted for who.”
Following the vote, Thune acknowledged this dynamic, pledging to “be a leader who serves the entire Republican conference.”
“This Republican team is united. We are on one team,” Thune stated. “We have a mandate from the American people.”
Eleanor Mueller, Meredith Lee Hill, and Caitlin Emma contributed to this report.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
In recent months, Thune has made substantial financial contributions to his colleagues and participated actively in their campaigns. He maintained direct communication with Trump, including conversations after the recent general election. Thune successfully resisted pressures from conservative factions and MAGA supporters to support Sen. Rick Scott for the GOP leadership position.
“I've been focused on my colleagues,” Thune stated. He won against Sen. John Cornyn on the second ballot with a vote count of 29-24, while Scott was eliminated after the first.
Thune's ability to navigate a politically charged environment provides an early indication of his strategy to balance leadership of a traditionally bipartisan Senate while satisfying Trump during a time when Republicans have control over all branches of government.
An institutionalist, much like his predecessor, current Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Thune has made an effort to maintain a relationship with Trump while concentrating on the senators who will be crucial for his leadership. The support he received from fellow senators underscores their commitment to maintaining their legislative powers, even as they seek to advance much of Trump’s agenda — numerous Thune supporters noted their desire to uphold the separation of powers as a primary reason behind their vote.
The reconciliation between Thune and Trump was significant for senators, especially in light of past criticisms aimed at the former president. Following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Thune labeled Trump’s behavior as “inexcusable.” He was also the first member of the congressional GOP leadership to urge Trump to withdraw from the presidential race after the infamous Access Hollywood tape was released.
Despite Thune's history, even conservative senators currently show no concern about it.
“J.D. Vance once referred to him as Hitler, and he's vice president,” remarked Sen. Kevin Cramer regarding Thune’s former critique of Trump. “So, one thing I know about Donald Trump: he's got that sort of jocular, masculine ability to let the past be the past and embrace and pray in the middle of the 50-yard line after the game.”
Cramer, who supports Thune, described Trump as “not an irrelevant factor, but not the main factor” in the voting process for leadership.
“They're in a good place with each other,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Thune ally who's recently spent time around Trump. “There's no rift between them. There are no concerns about their relationship at all.”
Nevertheless, potential areas of conflict remain, particularly regarding the Senate filibuster. The president-elect has at times advocated for the elimination of the 60-vote threshold, even pressuring then-Majority Leader McConnell during his initial presidential term, while Thune has publicly affirmed his intention to maintain the existing threshold.
Additionally, moderates like Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have expressed vocal opposition to Trump at times, and Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted for Trump’s conviction in his second impeachment trial, is still in the Senate.
Trump, who was in Washington for meetings with the House Republican conference and President Joe Biden, did not provide immediate comment after the new Senate GOP leadership was confirmed. However, he and Thune have communicated frequently in the months leading up to this point, including a call following Thune's victory on Wednesday.
“[Thune] said over and over and over and over that he was going to make President Trump's agenda his agenda, and so I feel good about that,” said conservative Sen. Josh Hawley, who supported Cornyn.
Many senators highlighted that Thune's voting record aligned with Trump over 90 percent of the time during Trump’s first term, as noted by a FiveThirtyEight average, a detail emphasized during a candidate forum and nomination speeches.
“President Trump and Sen. Thune I think will do a great job working together,” commented Sen. Katie Britt. “Sen. Thune is ready for change, and he knows that America is expecting results.”
However, this voting record does not overshadow Thune's past conflicts with Trump. He initially supported Sen. Tim Scott in the 2024 Republican primary before shifting allegiance to Trump once Scott exited the race. Moreover, Trump attempted to rally support for a primary challenger against Thune for the 2022 election but was ultimately unsuccessful.
In spite of their contentious history, Cornyn and Scott both expressed their backing for Thune’s leadership and pledged unity among Republicans to advance their collective agenda.
“There's no division,” Cornyn asserted. “I think it's really important for our conference to stay together, to be as effective as we can be... It was a secret ballot so, I don't think any of us know exactly who voted for who.”
Following the vote, Thune acknowledged this dynamic, pledging to “be a leader who serves the entire Republican conference.”
“This Republican team is united. We are on one team,” Thune stated. “We have a mandate from the American people.”
Eleanor Mueller, Meredith Lee Hill, and Caitlin Emma contributed to this report.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
