Mike Cernovich
Pro-Trump online activist who attacked John Thune over the filibuster and the SAVE Act.
Cernovich posted "Abolish the filibuster, pass the SAVE Act" in a campaign against John Thune, whom Senate Republicans re-elected as leader by acclamation on 10 November after a motion to delay failed 31-15, Axios reported.
Last refreshed: 11 November 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
How much sway does Mike Cernovich hold over Senate Republicans?
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Demanded Thune abolish the filibuster to pass the SAVE Act
US Midterms 2026: Mentioned in: Jim Jordan wins House GOP leader raceBackground
Cernovich trained as a lawyer, The New Yorker reported in a 2016 profile, which described him backing Donald Trump on Periscope and Twitter during that year's campaign. NPR described him in 2017 as a pro-Donald Trump activist.
After the 2026 midterms he turned on the Senate Republican leader, John Thune, over the filibuster and the SAVE Act. His posts set out the demand in six words: "Abolish the filibuster, pass the SAVE Act."
The pressure did not move the conference, which re-elected Thune by acclamation on 10 November. Senate Republicans enter January in the minority after NBC News projected Democrats to win 54 seats.
Cernovich targets the filibuster
After polling night Cernovich pressed Thune to scrap the filibuster, the Senate rule under which most bills need 60 votes to reach a final vote, so the SAVE Act could pass. The bill would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. "Abolish the filibuster, pass the SAVE Act," he posted.
Thune kept his post. Senate Republicans re-elected him by acclamation on 10 November after a motion to delay the vote failed 31-15, Axios reported; Senator Ron Johnson backed the delay. Thune declined to scrap the rule, and in January the bill meets a Democratic Senate: NBC News projected Democrats to win 54 seats on 4 November.
Why did Mike Cernovich attack John Thune?
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Was John Thune re-elected Senate Republican leader?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 11 November 2026. Editorial standards.