Scoop: Trump dismissed Rick Scott as Senate GOP leader
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Weeks before the election, President-elect Trump privately dismissed Sen. Rick Scott's (R-Fla.) leadership bid, telling allies it is "not serious," two sources familiar with what was said told Axios.
Why it matters: With Trump's decisive victory and the Senate majority secured, potential replacements for Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell are hustling to get the support they need before the Nov. 13 vote.
- A senior Trump campaign official pushed back on Axios' reporting, saying Trump "hasn’t weighed in on the leadership race and anyone who says differently is wrong."
Zoom in: People very close to Trump have privately signaled their support for Scott as leader, which the senator hopes could turn into public backing by Trump, three sources familiar with the dynamic have told Axios.
- Scott had signs at his campaign victory party on Tuesday that read "Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader" and he focused his acceptance speech on what he would do as leader.
- Fellow conservative firebrand Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) called on Trump to endorse Scott for leader, and controversial MAGA personality Laura Loomer has been stumping for Scott.
- Despite their good relationship, Trump signaled to allies before the election that he doesn't see Scott as a serious contender.
State of the race: The vote will likely come down to Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) or John Cornyn (R-Texas).
- Most sources we hear from in and around the Capitol view Thune as the more likely winner, though Cornyn has had momentum, too.
- NRSC Chair Steve Daines' (R-Mont.) decision not to mount a last-minute bid removed the threat of a dark horse candidate. He is also close with Thune, and has privately told colleagues he backs him for leader.
The intrigue: Thune is now personally encouraging Trump to stay out of it, which has raised some eyebrows.
- "I think it's in his best interest — to stay out of that," Thune told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday morning. "These Senate secret ballot elections are best left to senators. And he's got to work with all of us when it's all said and done. But whatever he decides to do, that's going to be his prerogative, as we know."
- Cornyn also made a pitch on Fox News on Monday, touting a "very successful" first term working with Trump. "As I told President Trump, I'm interested in getting the band back together again," he said.
What they're saying: "At the end of the day, the president does like to be with people that have a possibility to win, too," Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told Axios in a short interview on Thursday.
- Mullin has publicly backed Thune. Mullin regularly talks with Trump and has encouraged the former president not to weigh in.
- With 53 GOP Senate seats, "it's not worth the political capital for the president to spend, because if he endorses one, that means he's made the other two mad," Mullin said.
