X owner Elon Musk posted on the platform on Sunday that he was endorsing Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to become Senate majority leader, taking over for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as Republicans take the majority in January.
Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader! https://t.co/lpT34yHTKk
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 10, 2024
The post was a response to a post from Scott aimed at President-elect Donald Trump that said, "100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible."
Trump had posted,
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. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY! 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. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU!
Others who have expressed interest in the top position in the Senate include Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. John Thune (R-SD).
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) have all said they will support Scott for the majority leader position.
Independent journalist Tucker Carlson pointed out in another X post that of the current contenders, only Scott actually supports Trump. Carlson said the other two "hate" Trump and want to get in the way of his agenda.
He further blamed McConnell for sabotaging the process by holding the leadership elections early.
The election will be by secret ballot, which is another sticking point.
The last thing McConnell wants is to see Trump succeed.
If not for his advancing age (82) and the fact that he's noticeably slowing down, he would no doubt hold onto leadership as long as he possibly could just to thwart Trump.
McConnell has ruled with an iron fist for the better part of a decade, controlling not only the legislative agenda but who gets fundraising help from the Senate fundraising committee.
Without the cooperation of the majority leader, Trump will not be able to advance his agenda nearly as well.
The House will probably also have a Republican majority, which should give Trump at least two years to pass legislation unhindered by much other than the filibuster.
