Stitt, Trump Reconcile Amid Senate Vacancy

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and former President Donald Trump reconciled their relationship during a closed-door meeting at the White House on Thursday, March 13, 2026. The meeting addressed previous tensions and focused on the upcoming appointment of a temporary U.S. Senator for Oklahoma.

The reconciliation was driven by Trump's decision to nominate Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as Homeland Security Secretary, creating a Senate vacancy. Governor Stitt, who is term-limited and leaves office in January, is responsible for appointing Mullin's temporary replacement. This appointee must agree not to run for the Senate seat in the next election, as per Oklahoma state law.

During the meeting, Stitt proposed Alan Armstrong, executive chairman of Williams Companies, as a third option for the temporary Senate seat, alongside previously considered candidates Harold Hamm and Dustin Hilliary. The Senate's financial disclosure requirements may complicate the candidacies of Hilliary and Hamm for the eight-month term. Stitt emphasized the importance of Oklahoma maintaining a strong relationship with the White House.