WASHINGTON — On Saturday, President Donald Trump took aim at Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., due to his stance against a bill set to finance significant parts of Trump’s domestic agenda. Trump warned of potentially endorsing primary challengers as Tillis seeks re-election in the upcoming year.
“Many individuals have expressed interest in running against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis in the Primary,” Trump shared on Saturday night. “I’ll be consulting with them in the weeks ahead to find someone who will truly represent the incredible people of North Carolina and, just as importantly, the United States of America.”
Trump took to his social media to heavily critique Tillis for opposing the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill.” This was shortly after Tillis released a statement explaining his inability to back the bill as it stands, noting it would lead to anticipated Medicaid cuts, resulting in “tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, affecting our hospitals and rural communities.”
Trump in return — via Truth Social — accused the two-term senator of grandstanding “in order to get some publicity for himself, for a possible, but very difficult re-election.”
“Looks like Senator Thom Tillis, as usual, wants to tell the Nation that he’s giving them a 68% Tax Increase, as [he is] opposed to the Biggest Tax Cut in American History!,” Trump wrote, adding, “Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!”
Tillis launched his Senate re-election campaign last December, but has faced calls to step aside due to concerns over his ability to win the race, particularly after polling found he trailed Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in a hypothetical match-up. Tillis won his previous two Senate races by fewer than two percentage points.
Prior to Trump’s post, Tillis told reporters Saturday evening that he gave the president a heads up about his opposition during a call he characterized as “very professional” and “very respectful.”
“I had a very good discussion with President Trump last night. I told him at that point that I had problems with the [Medicaid] implementation. And I said the House bill, I think, would be a good mark,” Tillis said. “I do believe the president is really focused on getting the tax portion of the bill done, and I support that, full stop. But it has evolved from a tax bill to one that includes health care and other things. And I said that in non-tax areas, we have a problem.”
Asked if he was concerned about Trump endorsing a primary challenge to him, Tillis responded, “No.”
Trump has threatened to primary GOP lawmakers critical of him in the past, wielding his influence to oust Republicans who voted to impeach him after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, including former Utah Rep. Liz Cheney. Last week, two Trump advisers launched a super PAC aimed at removing Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., another frequent critic of the administration’s agenda.
However, Trump hasn’t always followed through on the threats, opting against endorsing a primary challenger to Massie in 2024, and — according to the Tampa Bay Times — standing down on a threat to target a Florida state lawmaker that endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis during the 2024 presidential cycle.
