Sen. Rick Scott said Friday he is “absolutely not” committing to backing Thune as Leader
WASHINGTON — In a clear signal that internal friction remains within the Senate GOP, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) stated he is “absolutely not” committing to support Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) for another term as the party’s leader.
Speaking during an appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show, Scott pointed to the upcoming GOP leadership elections to explain his stance.
“We’re going to have a race again in November,” Scott said on the show. “I don’t know who I’m going to support because I don’t know who’s going to run.”
A Sudden Reversal
Scott’s hesitation marks a noticeable shift in his public posture. He previously stated that he backed Thune and had no intention of challenging the South Dakota Republican for the conference’s top spot a third time, following failed bids in 2022 and 2024.
His recent comments reopen questions about conference unity as Senate Republicans navigate a thin majority and competing factions.
| Timeline of Events | Details |
| Previous Stance | Scott publicly stated he backed Thune and would not run for Senate leadership again. |
| Current Shift | Refuses to commit support to Thune on The Charlie Kirk Show, citing the open field in November. |
| GOP Friction | Comments reflect ongoing distrust between establishment leadership and conservative, MAGA-aligned lawmakers. |
Broader Tension with the MAGA Base
The Florida senator’s remarks highlight broader, lingering tension between traditional Senate GOP leadership and the conservative grassroots.
Thune has frequently found himself on defense with the party’s MAGA wing. The rift was visibly on display earlier during a GOP gathering in Dallas, where Thune was audibly booed by grassroots attendees when mentioned by President Trump.
With Senate leadership elections approaching in November, Scott’s refusal to pledge early support signals that Thune may face another dynamic, potentially fractured vote to keep the gavel.
