Trump threatens primary challenger against ‘big, beautiful bill’ foe Sen. Tillis
President Donald Trump is on the hunt for a GOP candidate to challenge Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina in the upcoming primary elections. This decision comes after Tillis announced that he would not support Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” due to concerns about deep cuts to Medicaid.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he has met with numerous individuals who are interested in running against Tillis in the primary. He emphasized the importance of finding a candidate who will represent the people of North Carolina and the United States effectively.
Tillis, who is up for re-election in 2026, made his stance clear when he refused to support the spending bill during a procedural vote in the Senate. He cited the negative impact the bill would have on Medicaid in North Carolina as the reason for his decision.
Despite Tillis’ opposition, the Senate was able to advance the bill through the first key procedural hurdle with a narrow 51-49 vote. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky also voted against the bill, prompting Trump to express his frustration on Truth Social.
With Senate Republicans holding a slim majority, every vote is crucial. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who initially had reservations about the bill, ultimately voted to advance it through the first step. Other initial holdouts, such as Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, also voted to move the legislation forward.
Tillis raised concerns during a closed-door lunch about the potential impact of Medicaid cuts on North Carolina. He warned that the state could lose up to $40 billion in funding if the changes were implemented. Despite discussions with the president, Tillis maintained his position based on the impact the bill would have on his state.
As the primary challenge against Tillis heats up, Trump is determined to find a candidate who aligns with his priorities and will effectively represent the people of North Carolina. The upcoming elections will be closely watched as the GOP navigates internal divisions and works towards advancing key legislative priorities.
