An oil executive has been appointed as the newest GOP senator from Oklahoma, and according to The New Republic, a prominent MAGA activist dubbed the "Trump Whisperer" has already lashed out against him.
On Tuesday, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Alan Armstrong as the Senate replacement for Markwayne Mullin, who was recently confirmed to replace Kristi Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security. Prior to this announcement, Armstrong served as the executive chairman of the board for the natural gas pipeline firm, Williams Companies.
In the immediate aftermath of his appointment, some within President Donald Trump's MAGA movement cried foul, accusing Armstrong of being a "Never Trumper," citing a past donation to the prominent anti-MAGA former congressman, Adam Kinzinger.
"Armstrong has been called a 'Never Trump' Republican by those on the far right, mostly due to his large donation to the campaign of former GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger following the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection," The New Republic's report detailed. "Kinzinger had criticized President Trump over his lies about the 2020 election being stolen and served on the House January 6 investigative committee with fellow Trump nemesis Liz Cheney. Later, Kinzinger endorsed Joe Biden for president in 2024."
One of the most significant voices to decry Armstrong's appointment was Laura Loomer, an outspoken MAGA supporter and anti-Islam activist, noted for her close relationship to Trump. Loomer has frequently called past appointees or nominees for government positions over their insufficient loyalty to Trump or their association with more moderate factions of the GOP, with her recommendations frequently influencing Trump's actions.
“Has anyone told President Trump that the Governor of Oklahoma is bringing a Never Trumper who donated to a rabid anti-Trump Congressman who voted to impeach him after J6 to meet with him?” Loomer posted on X ahead of Armstrong's appointment. “Hey [Markwayne Mullin] what do you think about your Never Trump replacement? Now would be a good time for you to speak up!”
As of a few hours after Stitt's announcement, neither Trump nor Mullin had commented on Armstrong's appointment to the Senate. Trump previously endorsed GOP Rep. Kevin Hern to replace his DHS nominee, with the Washington Post noting that the congressman is likely to prevail in the election to fill the seat if he wins the Republican primary in June. Under state law, Armstrong is barred from running for the seat in November, meaning his tenure in the Senate will only last a few months.

