When Donald Trump shocked the political world with his victory in 2016, it was clear he had tapped into a movement, but it was also clear that movement was raw, unstructured, and—like Trump himself—largely an outsider to Washington, D.C. The political establishment, with its endless layers of lobbyists, bureaucrats, and consultants, found itself in an unexpected and unwelcome faceoff with the new administration. Despite having the presidency, Trump had few allies in Congress, and the bureaucracy set to “slow-walk” his agenda. A #Resistance materialized seemingly overnight, and D.C.’s “swamp creatures” banded together to stymie Trump’s initiatives.
Fast-forward to today, and the situation has evolved. Trump now has an organized, energized MAGA movement behind him—millions of supporters and countless influencers who can mobilize at a moment’s notice. This time, Trump doesn’t have to go it alone. The first big battle for this reinvigorated movement? The choice of the next Senate Majority Leader, with Trump-backed contender Rick Scott up against D.C. establishment candidates John Thune and John Cornyn.
GOP SENATOR: Voters are “bullying” us into voting for Rick Scott.
Or, they feel their voices aren’t being heard after a historic modern landslide! https://t.co/vf1iU4bDii
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 11, 2024
Thune and Cornyn have long been fixtures in the Republican establishment, historically resistant to Trump’s agenda and heavily invested in preserving “government norms.” To many in MAGA, these “norms” only perpetuate a system that favors elites over the people. Thune and Cornyn’s approach—dubbed by some as “Yes, but slower”—appears to many as a weak counter to the Democrats’ agenda, keeping the power concentrated within a political elite that often seems disconnected from its own base.
Rick Scott, by contrast, represents a fresh approach. He’s ready to push back, not just slow down, and Trump supporters see him as the candidate who would actually bring a “drain the swamp” mentality to Senate leadership. A recent whip count, leaked to reveal Scott was trailing, underscored the stakes. When it surfaced that Mitch McConnell wanted a secret ballot—allowing senators to vote without revealing their stance to their pro-Trump constituents—it triggered an immediate response from MAGA. Trump publicly laid down his expectations for a strong Senate leader, and the movement answered.
SENATE: Thune and Cornyn have zero business in leadership positions needed to advance Trump’s mandate. Both men repeatedly betrayed the president very publicly and privately. Turn the page, elect @SenRickScott Majority Leader. pic.twitter.com/9dGPAL6qLh
— @amuse (@amuse) November 11, 2024
The response was swift and widespread. MAGA influencers took to social media, urging supporters to contact their senators, making it clear that anything less than full support for Trump’s agenda could cost them their seats. The pressure was particularly intense for Thune, once the favorite in betting markets, who saw his odds fall as MAGA support surged around Scott. Trump supporters are determined that this time, D.C. insiders don’t control the direction of the GOP.
While the fight for Senate leadership isn’t over, this battle marks a new era for the MAGA movement, now united and organized in ways it wasn’t in 2016. Trump’s base no longer simply backs him in the ballot box; they’ve transformed into a potent political force that can shift conversations, apply pressure, and hold elected officials accountable. And for the establishment, this reality is shaking up a long-held status quo.
Senator, based on a leaked whip count, you are supporting @SenJohnThune for Majority Leader. Can you confirm this is the case? @RepJimBanks, @SenJohnBarrasso, @MarshaBlackburn, @SenBillCassidy, @SenatorCollins, @SenTomCotton, @SenKevinCramer, @SenTedCruz, @RepJohnCurtis,… pic.twitter.com/AAg83QpxYp
— @amuse (@amuse) November 11, 2024
Electing Rick Scott as Majority Leader won’t solve every challenge facing Trump’s agenda, but it would be a powerful step in ensuring that the establishment no longer holds the reins. Those in Washington who might think about opposing Trump’s top priorities are now on notice: there’s an army behind him, and they’re ready to fight. After all, Trump’s 2024 win wasn’t just a victory against an opponent—it was a win over a vast, entrenched elite that included much of the Western political and cultural establishment. He prevailed thanks to a movement of ordinary citizens who wanted real change, not just lip service.
