In a pointed statement, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson warned [1] that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) may be working behind the scenes to undermine President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda by blocking Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) from becoming the next Republican leader in the Senate.
Carlson urged Trump supporters to contact their senators to back Scott’s leadership bid and counter what he described as a move by establishment Republicans to retain control.
McConnell has scheduled a secret ballot vote for the Republican leadership position, set to take place before newly elected senators are sworn in.
The early timing, Carlson argued, is designed to favor “RINO” (Republican in Name Only) allies who have consistently opposed Trump’s policies.
Carlson’s message came in an X (formerly Twitter) post, where he voiced concern about McConnell’s influence on the Senate’s direction.
In his post, Carlson stated, “What the hell is going on in the US Senate? Hours after Donald Trump wins the most conclusive mandate in 40 years, Mitch McConnell engineers a coup against his agenda by calling early leadership elections in the senate.”
Carlson specifically criticized two other contenders for the leadership position, including Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), whom Carlson described as “an angry liberal” whose stance resembles that of former Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
Carlson emphasized that the vote is scheduled for Wednesday and will be conducted by secret ballot, suggesting that it could determine the success or failure of the incoming Trump administration’s agenda in the Senate.
What the hell is going on in the US Senate? Hours after Donald Trump wins the most conclusive mandate in 40 years, Mitch McConnell engineers a coup against his agenda by calling early leadership elections in the senate. Two of the three candidates hate Trump and what he ran on.…
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) November 9, 2024 [4]
Amid the brewing conflict, prominent conservative figures, including Dan Bongino, have come out in support of Scott.
BREAKING: Dan Bongino has just endorsed Rick Scott for Senate leader.
A wave of support for Rick Scott is emerging.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 8, 2024 [6]
Senator Scott has positioned himself as a staunch advocate of Trump’s platform, a stance that has earned him significant backing from conservative factions.
However, some Republican senators, such as Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and John Thune (R-SD), have urged Trump to stay out of the leadership selection process, while Cornyn recently questioned Trump’s electability and has reportedly gained considerable support for his own bid.
In the broader Senate landscape, McConnell has faced criticism over his allocation of campaign funds in recent election cycles.
Critics argue that his handling of campaign resources cost the GOP critical seats in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
McConnell directed substantial funds toward the Maryland Senate race in support of then-Governor Larry Hogan, an anti-Trump Republican, while holding back resources in key battleground races.
Mitch McConnell dumped millions into Trump hating loser Larry Hogan who lost by 10%, but he didn’t spend a single penny to help Kari Lake.
Senators John Thune & John Cornyn advised McConnel & were also part of this decision.
Neither of them are fit to be Senate Leader.
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) November 9, 2024 [7]
One prominent example occurred in the 2022 Arizona Senate race, where the Senate Leadership Fund, overseen by McConnell, canceled planned advertising for Republican candidate Blake Masters.
Blake Masters no brakes:
“McConnell decided to spend millions of dollars attacking a fellow Republican in Alaska instead of helping me defeat Mark Kelly. Had he chosen to spend money in Arizona, this race would be over.” pic.twitter.com/XGir1L5EHH [8]
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) November 12, 2022 [9]
Additionally, spending on Republican Adam Laxalt’s campaign in Nevada was limited, and Laxalt ultimately lost to incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto.
Meanwhile, McConnell allocated significant resources to support Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), another anti-Trump Republican, in Alaska.
Not only did McConnell not support Blake Masters in Arizona but he ran ATTACK ADS against Lisa Murkowski’s Republican opponent in Alaska.
A reminder that RINO Murkowski voted:
– To IMPEACH Trump
– NO to confirming Kavanaugh and ACB
– YES to confirming Ketanji Brown Jackson. pic.twitter.com/wdUHPRMdlt [10]— Ben Kew (@ben_kew) November 12, 2022 [11]
Carlson’s call to action reflects growing frustration among Trump-aligned conservatives, who see McConnell’s maneuvers as a way to sideline Trump’s influence within the GOP-controlled Senate.
Carlson urged supporters to voice their opposition and advocate for Scott’s leadership, portraying the upcoming vote as a decisive moment for Trump’s agenda.
The leadership vote, scheduled for Wednesday, is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the Senate’s direction under Trump’s renewed presidency.