Musk backs Scott for GOP leader, knocks Thune
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Elon Musk. Photo: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Elon Musk has joined the chorus of conservative and MAGA voices online backing Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) for Senate GOP leader — after calling Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) the "top choice of Democrats."
Why it matters: Musk has become one of the most influential voices in Trump world. If the growing online momentum converts into the president-elect weighing in, the leadership race could be dramatically upended.
- President-elect Trump frequently battled GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) during his first term and could decide to put his thumb on the scale to get someone sure to do his bidding this time around.
- Still, the election for the new leader will be held via secret ballot Wednesday. And insiders warn that outside momentum does not necessarily translate to senators' votes — which in the end, is all that matters.
The intrigue: Trump weighed in on Sunday demanding that, "Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner."
- "Additionally, no Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership," Trump continued in his post on X.
- Moderate Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) — who are no Trump loyalists — have helped Democrats with confirmations.
Catch up quick: Musk posted a poll on X on Sunday asking followers to vote on who they would like to see lead the Senate Republican caucus, including Thune, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), conservative-favorite Scott and "other."
- Musk then quoted a response for Thune, posting, "(Republican) Senator Thune is the top choice of Democrats," with laughing emojis.
- He then quoted a Scott post, adding "Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader!" Scott has also racked up endorsements from four GOP senators, plus Trump insiders and influencers like Tucker Carlson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- On Saturday, Musk praised a new promise from Cornyn to keep senators in session to get Trump's cabinet confirmed quickly. "That is encouraging," Musk responded to Cornyn's post on X.
- Musk has grown very close to Trump, even sitting in on his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Musk is backing Scott.
