Trump Allies Want Rick Scott to Lead Senate, House Race Still Undecided

Facts

• As Republicans are poised to regain control of the US Senate, currently with 53 seats compared to the Democrats' 46, GOP senators will conduct a secret vote Wednesday to choose who will replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as the Senate GOP leader.^[1][2]
• Among those vying for the position, which would make them Senate majority leader once the GOP is in power, are John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-SD), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), though Pres.-elect Donald Trump hasn't endorsed anyone yet.^[3][4]
• Several of Trump's supporters are promoting Rick Scott. These include figures such as Tucker Carlson, Elon Musk, and Charlie Kirk, as well as senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).^[1][5]
• Trump, however, posted on X that he wants a majority leader who "agree[s] to Recess Appointments," which come from the Constitution's Recess Appointments Clause and allow the president to fill federal vacancies while the Senate is in recess.^[2][6]
• In response, Scott tweeted that he "100%" agrees with Trump's call, while Thune wrote that "all options are on the table." Cornyn, meanwhile, wrote that it's "unacceptable" for Democrats to "blockade" Trump's appointments and that the GOP would stay in session if needed.^[7]
• In the House, the Associated Press projects that the GOP is four seats away from retaining its majority. The GOP leads the Democratic Party 214-203 with 18 seats yet to be called.^[8][9]

Sources: ^[1]Axios, ^[2]Breitbart, ^[3]BBC News, ^[4]New York Post, ^[5]The Hill, ^[6]Constitution, ^[7]FOX News, ^[8]Associated Press and ^[9]Al Jazeera

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Townhall and Tucker Carlson on X. The American people voted for the Trump agenda and deserve a Senate leader willing to legislate in that manner. While establishment Republicans like McConnell seek to undermine the administration before it even begins, the majority of Senators have a responsibility to ignore such schemes and vote for an America First leader like Rick Scott.
• Narrative B, as provided by FOX News and X. The Senate leader race should be conducted without the influence of outside actors, including Pres.-elect Trump. There are other qualified candidates besides Scott, all of whom deserve a fair shot at the position. Cornyn, for instance, has helped raise millions to secure this GOP majority and publicly endorsed Trump's cabinet. His America First record is also a winning strategy.