Former President Donald Trump is turning his attention from the midterms to the Presidency, revealing on Monday (November 7) night that Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) would likely replace Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as GOP Senate Leader should he become President in 2024.
Following a rally in Dayton, Ohio, for Senate Candidate J.D. Vance, Trump lambasted McConnell, calling him a “lousy leader.”
Trump’s comments were first reported by Fox News Digital, relaying how the former President described Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee who served two terms as Florida’s governor, as “highly underrated.”
Scott is optimistic about Republicans’ chances in the upcoming midterm elections, sharing his belief the GOP will pick up between two to five seats in the Senate.
But it wasn’t his prediction that Republicans would win back the Senate majority that stirred speculation he may be pursuing the role of Senate leader; instead, it was his unwillingness to back McConnell as Senate Republican leader for another term.
In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday (November 6), Scott told host Chuck Todd, when queried about his thoughts on McConnell’s leadership role, that he isn’t focusing on anything beyond Election Day.
In separate remarks, Trump only fanned the flames that Scott has his eye on Senate leadership, describing Scott as a “likely candidate,” while recognizing that Scott “hates the guy” when referring to the former Florida Governor’s feelings toward McConnell.
Trump added that Scott is “tough” and would “probably go for it,” adding that if Scott did, he would receive “a lot of support.”
In his interview with Fox News Digital, Trump elaborated that he believed the GOP would still have McConnell as a Senate leader for the next two years, but if he wins the Presidency in 2024, “he’ll be out in two minutes.”
