Donald Trump does not just want to become president of the US. No, he wants total control over the pillars of American democracy. The impending resignation of Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell plays into his hands. But there is resistance.
The House of Representatives already functions as an extension of him, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court consists of three justices appointed by him and the Republican Party’s national committee is now led by a close confidante and his daughter-in-law Lara. If Donald Trump wins against Joe Biden in November, all Donald Trump will need to gain full control is the MAGA movement’s takeover of the Senate. So it is no wonder that, following the announced resignation of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, his camp wants to use all possible means to ensure that his successor is 100 percent loyal to Trump.
McConnell just announced that he would support the ex-president in the election campaign against Biden – which surprised many in the country. The 82-year-old had repeatedly opposed Trump’s demands and political approaches in the past. After the last election in 2020, the two most powerful Republican men had not spoken to each other in more than three years. Especially since Trump also racially insulted McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, who served as Secretary of Transportation in his Cabinet.
The Trump faction in the Senate is desperate to prevent one of McConnell’s two favorite successors from gaining the upper hand in the party vote. Both Senators John Thune (South Dakota) and John Cornyn (Texas) had incurred Trump’s wrath a few times in the past. Tommy Tuberville, a loyal senator from Alabama, openly discussed the MAGA takeover plans in an interview with “NewsMax”: “Our new Senate leader must be a cheerleader for Trump and ensure his victory. He should burn down our base and tour the country on a plane with President Trump.”
The problem, however, is that more than half of Republican senators are not fans of Trump and want to maintain a healthy distance from him. Many are angry that Trump urged his group last month to torpedo the passage of a new aid package for Ukraine. Trump’s nemesis Mitt Romney is certain that most of his Republican colleagues would secretly want another presidential candidate — “but support Trump out of political self-preservation.”
Both Thune and Cornyn have been part of Senate leadership for decades, are popular and would normally be favored for the post of majority leader. But Trump insists that Senator Steve Daines of Montana will be McConnell’s successor. The only difference is that he has not yet managed to become a pawn in an internal party war.
Meanwhile, Thune tries to smooth things over with Trump. Not only did he express his support during the election campaign, he reminded the ex-president that he had helped him push through his political wish list, such as tax cuts, during his first term. Nevertheless, insiders believe the resentful Trump will push for “his own” Senate leader — because Thune publicly spoke out against overturning the 2021 election results. Cornyn ended up on Trump’s blacklist when he announced last year that his time was up.
In addition to Cornyn and Thune, another 25 Republican senators are considered the last bulwark of Ronald Reagan’s party against the full right-wing populist takeover. A Senate leader from the Trump camp would destroy this once and for all. Mitt Romney, who retires at the end of his term in 2026, already expects this: “I no longer have a home in my own party.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
