A prominent Republican senator, who is not seeking re-election, has issued a stark warning that former President Donald Trump’s choices are undermining the party’s ability to retain control of the Senate. This marks the latest development in the strained relationship between Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Trump, a tension that originated during the Republican effort to pass Trump’s signature ‘big, beautiful bill’ last year.
The recent friction escalated on Friday after Trump publicly criticized Tillis as a ‘nitpicker’ on Truth Social. Trump asserted, ‘When I told him that I would not, under any circumstances, endorse him for another run, too much work and drama (he couldn’t have won, anyway!), he immediately quit the race and publicly announced that he was going to ‘retire.’’
Trump continued his criticism, stating, ‘I said, ‘Wow, great news, that was easy!’ The media said how brave he was to take me on, but he wasn’t brave, he was just the opposite – HE WAS A QUITTER. Now he can have all the fun he wants for a few months, with some of his RINO friends, screwing the Republican Party.’
Since declaring his decision not to pursue re-election, Tillis has been vocal in his criticisms of the Trump administration, often directing his remarks at the former president’s key advisors. He reiterated this approach by attributing Trump’s almost $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund to U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, his proposals for 50-year mortgages and the bipartisan Senate housing package to Housing Director Bill Pulte, and the push for taxpayer-funded acquisition of private companies to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Tillis also linked the series of firings of top generals at the Pentagon and the perceived failure to hold Putin accountable for actions against Ukrainian civilians to War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Tillis stated, ‘If opposing these things makes me a RINO, then I gladly accept that nickname. We need Republicans to do well in November, but the stupid stuff is killing our chances!’
In response, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital that Trump remains ‘the unequivocal leader, best messenger, and unmatched motivator for the Republican Party, and he is committed to maintaining Republicans’ majority in Congress to continue delivering wins for the American people.’ Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche added, ‘The weaponization that happened under the Biden Administration will not happen again, as we restore integrity to our prosecutorial system.’ Wales further asserted Trump’s achievements, including a ‘secure border,’ ‘largest middle-class tax cuts ever,’ and ‘lowest murder rate since 1900,’ contrasting his ‘commonsense agenda’ with what she described as ‘radical Democrats.’
However, many of these decisions have caused considerable unease among Senate Republicans across the political spectrum. Most recently, the ‘anti-weaponization’ fund notably hindered Congress’s efforts to finance immigration operations nationwide for the remainder of Trump’s potential term.
Tillis was among several Republicans who strongly criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) fund shortly after its announcement. He participated in a private, closed-door criticism of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday.
Like many others, Tillis expressed concern that the fund could potentially benefit individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot and for assaulting police officers. He questioned the logic: ‘A fund that is set up to compensate people who assaulted Capitol Police officers and other responding agencies, right? People that had pled guilty to physical acts against the president may actually be able to get compensated. How absurd does that sound coming out of my mouth?’
