Trump privately backed John Thune in tight leader race, Sen Steve Daines suggested

Daines, who gave one of Thune's two nominating speeches before voting began, insinuated that Trump was backing Thune in the race against Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, two sources told Fox News Digital, including one senator in the room. 

Daines' office confirmed to Fox News Digital that he had told his colleagues, "Trump likes Thune" before ballots were cast. 

Whether Trump would be content with a Thune win was speculated prior to the race, considering the fractured relationship the two men had during and after his first term as president. 

Since then, Thune and Trump have been in contact and have apparently repaired their relationship, according to Daines' remarks.

Thune won the leader's race on the second secret ballot, receiving 29 votes, which was two more than the necessary 27-vote majority. Cornyn got 24 votes. 

The South Dakota Republican had received early backing from another top Trump ally, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., who revealed his support for him soon after he announced his bid. 

Trump's private support for Thune, as Daines suggested, came despite the South Dakota senator's hedging on committing to allow recess appointments after Trump publicly requested that the leader candidates agree. 

Thune simply said that everything was on the table when it came to confirming Trump's selections for his administration, without committing to letting him confirm them unilaterally during recess. 

Trump's transition team and Thune's office did not immediately provide comment to Fox News Digital.