Raw Story: 'Last culling': MSNBC host expects midterms to rid GOP of senators not in MAGA 'lockstep'

[Dennis Donovan]

Raw Story - 'Last culling': MSNBC host expects midterms to rid GOP of senators not in MAGA 'lockstep'

Sarah K. Burris
December 2, 2024 1:17PM ET



The MAGA wing of the Republican Party has been successful in taking over the House of Representatives, but there are still those in the U.S. Senate who don't adore Donald Trump.

But in two years, one-third of the Senate will be up for reelection again — and an MSNBC reporter thinks that could see a further culling of those not loyal to Trump.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) are all up for reelection in 2026, and their MAGA bona fides don't match up with their colleagues.

But MSNBC's Ali Vitali and Garrett Haake also pointed to Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) as someone who could clash with Trump over Kash Patel's nomination to head the FBI. Over the weekend, Rounds told ABC News that he still likes Chris Wray, the current FBI director and Trump appointee.

Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the incoming Senate Majority Leader, will likely become the lawmaker who must tell Trump "no" a lot, the MSNBC paid said. It could draw the ire of the president and his allies, but Thune isn't up for reelection again until 2028.

"There are a few senators like that," said Vitali. "The 2026 cycle could be the last culling we see of anyone not marching in MAGA lockstep."

/snip

[Irish_Dem]

1. Those not playing ball with the MAGA crime syndicate will be purged.

[Bettie]

2. Ernst will do whatever she's told to

she adores that orange creature and she has no ethics or moral core.

[maxsolomon]

3. McConnell's done for. He'll retire.

Collins will probably survive the primary in ME.

[Mike 03]

4. Unfortunately, this is why we shouldn't get our hopes up

there could be a rebellion by GOP senators--unless they do some strategic planning well in advance and all move synchronously to preserve their advise and consent authority (to some extent).

Still, I do think it is a big ask by Trump to debase the GOP senators, recess them or bully them to confirm such an array of total idiots.

Hope springs eternal.

[sakabatou]

5. Republican Party: 1860-2026

[Initech]

7. Technically, the GOP died in 2016.

What exists now is a manically deranged cult whose mantra is to enrich one man and make him an emperor, while completely dismantling the United States government piece by piece. All to please talk shows and news networks, and a hostile foreign government.

[lees1975]

6. Don't start having any illusions that the Republican party still has some of its hold-over principles and values

that it was once known for. They are Republican, by definition, self-interested and money driven. They are liars, cheats, and will say or do anything to get elected. I do not trust any of them.