MAGA fans were outraged after the controversial replacement for Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) was announced on Tuesday.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed oil and gas executive Alan Armstrong, who had formerly made a $5,800 donation to one of President Donald Trump's enemies, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). Kinzinger had voted to impeach Trump, and the donation came around that time.
Stitt announced the appointment in a post on X, just hours after Mullin was formally confirmed late Monday as the new Homeland Security Secretary, replacing the outgoing embattled Trump administration leader Kristi Noem. Noem was fired by President Donald Trump, who appointed Mullin and moved Noem into another role.
"Alan is a proud third-generation Oklahoman, staunch conservative, respected business leader, and a devoted family man with an inspiring American Dream story," Stitt said.
"He is entering the U.S. Senate at a critical time for advancing reforms to secure America’s energy future. I have no doubt that his perspective will be influential in moving the needle on permitting reform to unlock American competitiveness and energy affordability for generations to come," Stitt added.
MAGA followers on social media were furious with the move, with several people calling Stitt a "RINO," a biting acronym for Republican in name only.
"Another RINO. lock and step. These people hate MAGA," Justin Baugher, who frequently shares MAGA-related content on his social media, wrote on X.
"Armstrong DONATED to Adam Kinzinger AFTER he voted to impeach President Trump and joined the J6 witch hunt committee. You couldn’t be more anti-Trump if you tried," Jessica, a paralegal and nutritionist who self-describes as MAGA and MAHA, wrote on X.
"Good this Should END @GovStitt any political ambitions he ever had!!! We are SICK of RINOS!!!" User janconcern, who self-identifies as MAGA, wrote on X.
"Wow. Just like he made us proud when he supported Biden. True RINO’s stick together," Sherre Ann, who self-describes as an "America First Patriot," wrote on X.