Fresh off becoming Nat. Republican Senatorial Comm. chair Tim Scott’s first hire sends up red flags

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott ignited a furious backlash in one of his first moves after becoming the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

The South Carolina Republican who was a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump ran uncontested for the seat. But his taking the helm at the Senate GOP’s campaign arm has come with a controversial move.

Reports circulated that Scott had hired Trump critic Stephen DeMaura as executive director. DeMaura, a former adviser to Mike Pence in his short-lived presidential campaign, was not a welcome addition according to many in the GOP who saw Scott’s choice as either from ignorance or betrayal.

Pollster Adam Geller contends DeMaura is not “Never Trump” and that he is “a serious operative and consultant who will be about protecting and growing President Trump’s Senate majority,” according to Politico.

But it will take a lot of convincing as social media reactions showed.

“Donald Trump’s team — convinced that the Senate GOP campaign arm and its top allied super PAC are hiring ‘Never Trumpers’ for key roles — is preparing to launch its own super PAC to compete in the next round of Senate races in 2026, according to two close allies of the president-elect,” Politico reported.

“There’s a ‘brewing war on the verge of breaking out’ between Trump’s team and the traditional institutions that play in Senate races, said one person close to Trump, explaining that the heads of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and SLF ‘should reflect current leadership and the future, not the past,'” the outlet noted.

Politico cited a person close to Trump who said “There are plenty of experienced managers who’ve won races that could easily run” the NRSC and the Senate Leadership Fund “instead of relying on people who just move money and mentally masturbate over spreadsheets.”

But a spokesperson for Scott said, “Senator Scott and President Trump have discussed hiring decisions at the NRSC, and they look forward to the incoming leadership at the committee.”

“President Trump has committed to doing whatever it takes to not only protect the majority but to grow it,” Nathan Brand added.

The reported addition of DeMaura set off an explosive reaction on social media where many ripped into Scott.

Frieda Powers

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