Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Sen. Thom Tillis responded to Trump's criticism — Sen. Thom Tillis responded to Trump's attack by listing specific policy disagreements, including Trump's advisors' proposals to compensate convicted felons who attacked police, push 50-year mortgages, transform publicly traded companies into state-owned enterprises, fire generals, and avoid holding Putin accountable for crimes in Ukraine. Tillis stated that opposing these policies makes him a "RINO" by Trump's definition and argued that "stupid stuff" is killing Republican chances in November.
• Trump attacked Sen. Thom Tillis over disagreements — Trump posted criticism of Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), calling him "weak and ineffective" and a "Nitpicker" for fighting against Republican Party positions and Trump personally. Trump stated he refused to endorse Tillis for another run due to "too much work and drama," after which Tillis immediately quit the race and announced his retirement. Trump characterized Tillis as screwing the Republican Party with "RINO friends."

Supporting reports

• Trump intervenes in Louisiana Senate primary; Cassidy loses to Letlow in first round — Donald Trump encouraged US Representative Julia Letlow to challenge incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy and endorsed her candidacy, attacking Cassidy on social media as "disloyal" and a "terrible guy." In the May 17 primary, Letlow received 45.2% of the vote, Cassidy came third with 24.4%, advancing Letlow and state treasurer John Fleming to a June 27 runoff. Cassidy's vulnerability stemmed from his 2021 vote to convict Trump after January 6 and subsequent breaks with Trump on policy, including his opposition to Trump's surgeon general nominee.
• Sen. Bill Cassidy lost primary runoff after Trump campaign against him — Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial, failed to advance to a runoff in his reelection bid after Trump called for his ouster. Cassidy had voted to confirm RFK Jr. despite personal concerns about vaccine criticism. Trump posted that Cassidy's "disloyalty" and impeachment vote were now "a part of legend" and his political career was "OVER." Cassidy stated in his concession speech that when participating in democracy, one should not "pout," "whine," or "claim the election was stolen."
• Trump posted attack on Rep. Lauren Boebert and threatened to withdraw endorsement — Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Rep. Lauren Boebert for supporting Thomas Massie and called her a "carpetbagger" who moved districts when she could not win in her original district. Trump stated he would consider withdrawing his endorsement of Boebert if "the right person came along" to run against her. Boebert responded that she was not offended and remained committed to supporting Massie and the "America First" agenda.
• Trump posted attack on Rep. Thomas Massie before Tuesday election — Trump posted on social media attacking Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) ahead of Massie's Tuesday election, calling him "The Worst Republican Congressman in History" and urging Kentucky voters to "vote the bum out." Trump criticized Massie for voting against tax cuts, the border wall, military funding, and law enforcement. Massie responded that Trump's attacks indicated he was ahead in polls and that outside billionaires and AIPAC had funneled millions into his race.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate primary runoff — After months of deliberation, Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a primary runoff against Senator John Cornyn for Cornyn's Senate seat, scheduled for the following week. Trump called Paxton "a true MAGA Warrior" and criticized Cornyn for not being "supportive of me when times were tough." Political analysts noted the endorsement could benefit the Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton over John Cornyn — President Donald Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn, a move that has humiliated Cornyn. This endorsement reflects Trump's influence within the Republican Party and could impact political dynamics and upcoming elections. The endorsement may also signal shifts in party loyalty and internal power struggles.
• Bill Cassidy loses Louisiana Senate primary after Trump endorsement of challenger — Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump after the January 6 insurrection, lost his Louisiana primary race after Trump backed challenger Julia Letlow. The loss reflects Trump's continued purge of Republicans who broke with him on constitutional accountability, extending the pattern of primary defeats for Trump critics across multiple states.
• Brad Raffensperger locked out of Georgia gubernatorial runoff after Trump opposition — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Trump critic, was eliminated from the Republican gubernatorial primary. Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and billionaire Rick Jackson advanced to a runoff, with the winner to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. Raffensperger's defeat represents another primary victory for Trump over a state official who resisted pressure to overturn the 2020 election.
• Thomas Massie defeated in Kentucky Republican House primary by Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein — In Kentucky's fourth congressional district primary, seven-term congressman Thomas Massie, a Trump critic, lost to Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL recruited by Trump. The race became the most expensive House primary in history at $25.6 million in spending. Trump had campaigned aggressively against Massie, calling him a "moron" and "nut job," dispatching Super PAC operatives and holding a rally denouncing him as "disloyal." Massie had broken with Trump over military action, spending, and the Epstein Files release. Gallrein will face the general election as the overwhelming favorite in the conservative district.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Republican Senate primary runoff — US President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state's Republican primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn, calling Paxton an "America First Patriot" and "MAGA Warrior" on Truth Social. The endorsement came ahead of the May 26 runoff election. Trump criticized Cornyn for insufficient support during difficult times and for being "very late" in backing his presidential run. Paxton, a hardliner aligned with Trump's Make America Great Again movement, faces Democrat James Talarico in the general election.
• Trump-backed Ed Gallrein defeats Thomas Massie in Kentucky House primary — Republican congressman Thomas Massie lost his House seat in Kentucky's fourth district primary on Tuesday to Ed Gallrein, a farmer and former Navy SEAL backed by Donald Trump. Trump personally attacked Massie as a "moron," "nut job," and "major sleazebag," and dispatched strategists Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio to lead a PAC supporting Gallrein. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also campaigned for Gallrein. Massie, a 14-year incumbent and Trump critic who led efforts to release the Epstein files and voted against Israel aid, was also targeted by pro-Israel groups spending millions against him.
• Trump intervenes in Republican primaries against incumbent senators — Trump has intervened in Republican primary elections to oppose Republican incumbents he views as insufficiently loyal to him. This pattern of intervention has exacerbated Republican frustration with the White House and contributed to the broader congressional rebellion against the slush fund and immunity agreement.
• Trump-backed candidate defeats Representative Massie in House primary — Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), who led efforts to release the Epstein files, lost his House primary to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein in what was the most expensive House primary ever, with outside spending reaching $35 million. Gallrein pledged to do whatever Trump tells him to do. The race occurred in a district Trump won by 35 points in 2024, but Gallrein won by only 10 points.
• Trump-backed candidates win primaries in Georgia and Alabama — Trump-backed primary candidates won House primaries in Georgia and Alabama, continuing a pattern of Trump-endorsed challengers defeating or replacing Republican incumbents and candidates who did not demonstrate absolute loyalty to Trump.
• Trump attacked Sen. Thom Tillis over disagreements — Trump posted criticism of Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), calling him "weak and ineffective" and a "Nitpicker" for fighting against Republican Party positions and Trump personally. Trump stated he refused to endorse Tillis for another run due to "too much work and drama," after which Tillis immediately quit the race and announced his retirement. Trump characterized Tillis as screwing the Republican Party with "RINO friends."

Supporting reports

• 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.