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    • The new Senate majority leader, John Thune, has a rocky past with Trump
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    The new Senate majority leader, John Thune, has a rocky past with Trump

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    Topline

    Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., was elected by Republicans on Wednesday as the party’s first new Senate leader in nearly two decades — despite some MAGA Republicans pushing for a more staunch supporter of the newly elected president, unlike Thune, who supported the elections. Donald Trump this cycle, but broke with him in the past.

    Key facts

    Thune and Trump’s relationship began in 2016 when Thune – after endorsing him for president months earlier – became the first Republican leader to call on Trump to withdraw from the presidential race after the infamous Access Hollywood tape was made public .

    Shortly after calling on Trump to drop out of the race and give the nomination to then-vice presidential candidate Mike Pence, Thune said he would still “support the nominee of our party… but he has a lot of work to do, I think, If he I will have some hope of winning this election.”

    The couple hit another speed bump in 2020 when Trump claimed the election was stolen, but Thune encouraged people to “move on” and accept the outcome.

    Thune also said that any attempt by conservatives in the House of Representatives to question the Electoral College results would be “like a bull’s-eye” – the comments angered Trump, who said on Twitter that Thune’s “ political career (is) over!!!” and “South Dakota doesn’t like weakness.”

    Trump later encouraged South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to run against Thune — whom he called a “RINO,” or Republican in name only — when he faced re-election in 2022 (Noem had previously said that Thune ‘is a friend of mine, and I will not provoke him.’)

    Thune did not vote to convict Trump in either of his impeachment trials, but issued a harsh statement after the second one declaring that his vote to acquit Trump was not an “acquittal for his conduct on” January 6, 2021.

    Trump did not endorse Thune during his 2022 re-election bid and after Thune won, he said the broad Republican losses were proof that the party could not rely on Trump. He said: “You can’t have a party built around the personality of one person.”

    This election season, Thune initially endorsed Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., for president, but later endorsed Trump, saying in February, “I support former President Trump’s campaign to win the presidency, and I intend to do everything I can to do to achieve that. he has a Republican majority in the Senate that will work with him to restore American strength at home and abroad.”

    The Wall Street Journal reported that Thune met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in March to defuse tension, and Thune told the Journal that the pair “have an understanding, and it’s professional,” adding : “we will have to work together for the good of the country.”

    After being elected on Wednesday, Thune released a statement saying he was “deeply honored” and that the “Republican team stands united behind President Trump’s agenda.”

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    Crucial quote

    “What former President Trump did to undermine confidence in our election system and disrupt the peaceful transition of power is inexcusable,” Thune said in the Feb. 13, 2021 statement released after Trump’s second impeachment trial.

    Surprising fact

    Trump did not endorse a senator in the election for the new Republican leader, but said in a post on Truth Social that the next leader “must agree to allow recess appointments,” or temporary appointments made by the president without approval from the Senate when it is in recess.

    Important background

    Thune defeated Sen. Rick Scott of Florida — a right-wing firebrand who drew support from Trump allies Elon Musk and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., but was eliminated on the first ballot — and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Thune was first elected to the Senate in 2004 and has held the Senate’s No. 2 Republican position since 2019. Thune will replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a key ally of his who is retiring as the party’s Senate leader. after 18 years. Thune’s victory comes as Republicans are likely to secure a “trifecta” by taking control of the presidency, House of Representatives and Senate – although control of the House of Representatives has not yet been declared – which will likely make it easier for Republicans to push through their agenda.

    Big number

    29. That’s how many votes Thune got from Senate Republicans to secure the position. In the first vote he received 23 votes, Cornyn 15 and Scott 13. The position was determined in two rounds of voting.

    What to pay attention to

    Trump’s comments on Thune’s election. Trump had not congratulated or publicly weighed in as of Wednesday afternoon, but Thune said in a tweet that he had spoken with Trump and that “Senate Republicans are excited and ready to get to work on implementing President’s agenda Trump on behalf of the American people. .”

    Chief critic

    Some MAGA personalities have criticized Thune’s election. Far-right commentator Charlie Kirk said in a tweet that Thune “has a short window to show us that he will support President Trump, fill his cabinet, confirm his judges and pass his agenda… If he doesn’t, we will working to remove it. .” Benny Johnson, another MAGA commentator, criticized the secret voting process on

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