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.
Without any question, President Trump set out to make sure that Americans felt like this country and the American Dream was alive and well and there for them. Senate Republicans’ goal is to make sure that we achieve that objective. pic.twitter.com/N62EwDnBoJ
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) November 14, 2024
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.
I told everyone about TIM SCOTT! No one listen to me! There are thousands of Tim Scott within the Republican Party! They are planning covert acts against Trump! https://t.co/rs3jHJbQbP
— LeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) November 15, 2024
WTH?! Apparently Sen. Tim Scott and the NRSC hired a NEVER TRUMPER who ran Mike Pence’s campaign against Trump as their new executive director.@votetimscott, I’m sure you can find another operative who’s more aligned with MAGA for this role!
I hope you do! We The People… pic.twitter.com/WenNaI5OCb
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 15, 2024
“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.
Hey @votetimscott
Hearing confirmation that you’ve allowed notorious Trump-hater Stephen DeMaura to be named Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Why do you think it’s a good idea to hire Mike Pence’s campaign manager to head the NRSC this cycle? pic.twitter.com/HOVFh6qZ8S
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) November 15, 2024
I never have, and I never will Trust Tim Scott. https://t.co/DtH9eKR2SK
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) November 15, 2024
@votetimscott You better get with the program, the American people spoke loud and clear last week. Maybe you didn’t get the message. We are done with RINO’s and Never Trumpers. Knock it the fck off.
— Scarlet☘️O’Máille (@ScarletOMaga) November 15, 2024
Tim Scott is nothing but a South Carolina RINO
And that state pumps out a lot of em
When Trump’s house was raided by the FBI, he said “let the process play out”
Tim Scott is a RINO wolf in MAGA clothing https://t.co/l6ZeJlUyDQ
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) November 15, 2024
Tim Scott, are you serious? Bringing in a Pence guy to handle Senate funding? Talk about a slap in the face to the America First movement. This isn’t what the base signed up for. We need fighters, not someone who cozies up with the same establishment that’s been working against…
— Arthur Morgan (@Viscalvish) November 15, 2024
THIS IS SO DISRESPECTFUL TO THE VOTERS THAT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR WE DEMAND CHANGE! We are watching now and are not going away! Pence and everyone associated with him were snakes and betrayers! I will not be contributing to the NRSC!
— MoJoNorthElm (@MoJoNorthElm) November 15, 2024
What a betrayal!
— Tom Stephenson (@TomStep77496489) November 15, 2024
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