Musk Rips Candidate In GOP Senate Leadership Battle: ‘Top Choice of Democrats’

Elon Musk has entered the debate over the next Senate Majority Leader as Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) prepares for retirement. Currently, Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), and John Thune (R-SD) are competing in a close race for the role.

According to the Associated Press, Cornyn initially served as McConnell’s second-in-command, a position now held by Thune. While Scott is a long-time Trump ally, Thune and Cornyn are seen as “more establishment Republicans” with close ties to McConnell, and at times, critics of Trump.

Mocking Thune, Musk wrote, “(Republican) Senator Thune is the top choice of Democrats 🤣🤣.” Shortly after, he followed up with, “Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader!!”

McConnell, in February, announced that he would step down from his leadership role but would remain in the Senate through 2027. “One of life’s most underappreciated talents is knowing when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter,” he said, declaring that this would be his final term as Senate GOP leader.

On November 13, Senate Republicans will choose their new leader in a closed ballot.

According to The Hill, Thune and Cornyn have been calling senators and staff members continuously, rallying support ahead of the leadership vote. Thune, the Senate GOP whip, is considered a slight favorite for the role. Known for his skill in vote-counting and fundraising, he has effectively campaigned for GOP candidates.

Cornyn remains a strong contender. As a former whip and close McConnell ally, he holds strong ties with more conservative members of the conference. “It’s Thune’s to lose, but Cornyn’s going to make it close,” a GOP aide told The Hill, adding that the contest “is going to be bloody and rough, and money is going to matter.”

Thune has been actively supporting GOP candidates, raising over $33 million for himself, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), and other party candidates in the past month alone. He campaigned heavily across close races, with one source noting that he was on the road for GOP candidates across the country throughout October.

Cornyn has also raised significant funds, bringing in $26 million by late September, including nearly $12 million for the NRSC, with campaign stops in key states like Nevada, Michigan, and Indiana. Since becoming a senator in 2002, his staff reported he has raised a total of $406 million.

Meanwhile, President-elect Trump’s influence is central to next week’s leadership decision. While neither Thune nor Cornyn has been a committed MAGA supporter, both have worked to improve relations with him. Thune, who initially backed Sen. Tim Scott’s (R-SC) presidential campaign, has made efforts to reconcile with Trump, who had earlier suggested a primary challenge against Thune. The two have since spoken multiple times, including a meeting at Mar-a-Lago in March and a recent call on Wednesday.