Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled a major strategic shift this week by suggesting he is pushing for a “deal” with President Donald Trump. During an interview on Fox News with anchor Martha MacCallum, Thune publicly urged Trump to quickly endorse Texas Sen. John Cornyn. This move is intended to help Republicans avoid what is expected to be a costly and bitter primary runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Thune admitted he has not spoken to the president since Tuesday’s primary results were finalized, but he expressed a commitment to working even harder on the matter. Speaking on Wednesday, the Majority Leader noted that he “hopefully” expects the president to offer Cornyn his influential support soon. The goal is to consolidate the party’s resources before the next stage of the election cycle.
The rationale behind the early endorsement is largely financial and strategic. Thune explained that if Trump weighs in now, it saves the party significant money and prevents ten weeks of internal campaigning. By avoiding a “spirited” battle on the Republican side, the party can stop depleting its funds and instead focus its full attention on defeating the Democratic opposition.
For several months, Thune and other Senate Republicans have been lobbying Trump to back Cornyn’s re-election bid. Cornyn himself had previously expressed doubt that the president would make any formal announcement before the initial Tuesday night election. However, the situation remains urgent as the runoff is scheduled for May 26, with the winner eventually facing Democrat James Talarico, who did not have to compete in a primary this week.
Other Republican senators are expected to join Thune in making a renewed case for Cornyn to the president. This push follows a primary performance where the four-term veteran performed significantly better than many had anticipated. As of Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reported that Cornyn holds a narrow lead over Paxton with 94 percent of the votes counted, despite many pre-election polls showing him trailing.
Thune described the primary outcome as a “great night” for Cornyn, boosting morale among his supporters. Other allies of the Texas Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested that his strong showing on Tuesday makes a Trump endorsement a very real possibility. They believe the momentum from the primary results provides the perfect opening for the president to step in and unify the ticket.
WATCH :
Senate Leader Thune says that he's spoke to president Trump about the GOP primary runoff between Paxton and Cornyn.
Thune: "I think, as probably you know, Martha, I've made no secret of the fact that I hope the president will endorse John Cornyn." pic.twitter.com/prKhDxr8sm
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) March 4, 2026
In this part of the interview, Thune addressed the Senate’s move to block a resolution aimed at curbing President Trump’s military authority regarding Iran. The resolution, authored by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), sought to mandate congressional approval for any ongoing military operations. Thune dismissed the effort as a product of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and “blind hatred,” arguing that Democrats were simply attempting to sabotage the President’s messaging and create a political issue where none truly existed. He maintained that the President was acting entirely within his legal powers as Commander in Chief.
Thune further argued that the administration’s actions in Iran were long overdue, given the country’s pursuit of both nuclear and conventional weapons. He labeled Iran the world’s leading exporter of terrorism, noting that the regime has been responsible for more American casualties over the last 47 years than any other nation. According to Thune, the President’s strategy is fundamentally designed to enhance the safety of the United States, its citizens, and the global community by confronting a regime that openly calls for the destruction of America and Israel.
The Senator emphasized that the current military objectives are focused on diminishing Iran’s capacity to threaten the region. He noted that significant progress is being made in reducing Iran’s naval and weapons capabilities. While Thune clarified that “regime change” is not the official policy of the White House, the Defense Department, or the State Department, he personally described a change in Iranian leadership as a “worthwhile objective” for the future.
Thune concluded by reaffirming his support for the administration’s clear military goals and the progress being made by forces in the region. He called for continued backing of the mission and offered a somber note of support for American service members. Specifically, he urged the public to keep military personnel and the families of those who have lost loved ones in their thoughts and prayers as the operations continue.
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