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Jun 28, 2025 Trump publicly attacked and threatened primary challenges against Senators Rand Paul and Thom Tillis for opposing his budget bill Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The president used social media threats to punish lawmakers who exercised independent judgment, pressuring legislative behavior through intimidation.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
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- Trump attacked Rand Paul and Thom Tillis on Truth Social — Trump posted on Truth Social attacking both senators who voted against the reconciliation bill. He questioned Rand Paul's loyalty ("Did Rand Paul Vote 'NO' again tonight? What's wrong with this guy???") and attacked Thom Tillis for opposing the bill, accusing him of "GRANDSTANDING" and announcing he would back a primary challenger against Tillis. Trump later announced he would meet with potential primary challengers to find someone to "properly represent the Great People of NC."
- Trump threatened primary challenge to Senator Tillis — After Senator Thom Tillis voted against the budget reconciliation bill, Trump announced he would support a primary challenger to Tillis. Trump stated he would be "looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina," signaling retaliation against the senator for his vote opposing the administration's fiscal measure.
- Trump threatens primary challenge against Tillis after Senate vote against spending bill — Senator Thom Tillis voted against Trump's "big beautiful bill" on a procedural Senate vote on Saturday. Trump responded with a barrage of social media attacks, calling Tillis a "talker and complainer" and threatening to support a primary challenger against him in 2026. Tillis announced on Sunday he would not seek re-election, citing the increasingly hostile environment toward independent-minded Republicans in Washington.
- Tillis announces retirement from Senate after Trump pressure — Following Trump's threats and attacks over his vote against the spending bill, Senator Thom Tillis announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election to the US Senate in 2026. In his statement, Tillis cited the increasingly hostile environment toward bipartisan and independent-minded leaders in Washington, noting that such leaders have become "an endangered species."
- Senator Tillis announces he will not seek reelection — Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced he will not run for reelection in 2026 after Trump attacked him for not supporting the budget reconciliation bill. Tillis stated his desire to exercise "independent thinking" and called leaders willing to embrace bipartisanship "an endangered species." His departure puts the North Carolina Senate seat in play for Democratic pickup.
- Trump threatens primary challenges against Republican fiscal conservatives — After Senator Tillis announced opposition to the reconciliation bill, Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Tillis as "a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER" and pledged to back a primary challenger. When Tillis subsequently announced he would not seek re-election, Trump called it "good news" and threatened primary challenges against other Republican fiscal conservatives blocking the bill's passage.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 24 – 2025-06-28–2025-07-04
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