President Donald Trump, during a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, has threatened to explore backing a primary challenger against Senator Thom Tillis, a two-term Republican from North Carolina. The move comes just hours after Tillis voted against advancing the centerpiece of Trump’s legislative agenda, a significant shift that has sparked immediate reactions.
Trump’s criticism of Tillis was particularly sharp, with the president labeling the senator’s actions as a ‘big mistake’ and suggesting that he would be looking for ‘someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina.’ Despite Tillis’s longstanding concerns about the legislative impact on Medicaid and resistance to changes in clean-energy tax breaks, Trump did not directly address these issues in his posts, instead highlighting Till’tis’ earlier concerns with preserving certain tax benefits.
Tillis, a seasoned politician with a history of contentious races in North Carolina, is well aware of the political landscape he faces. The state is seen as a top pickup opportunity for Senate Democrats in the upcoming 2026 elections. Tillis, who has narrowly won previous races, including defeating former Democrat Kay Hagan in 2014 and then former state senator Cal Cunningham in 2020, now finds himself in a tough position with multiple Democratic contenders preparing to run against him. Notably, former Rep. Wiley Nickel has already announced his Senate bid, while popular former Gov. Roy Cooper is also considering a run.
The situation underscores the intensifying political dynamics in North Carolina, with Tillis navigating both a potential primary challenge from within his own party and the looming threat of a strong Democratic opponent. The political maneuvering is expected to have significant implications for the state’s Senate race, particularly as Democrats look to flip the seat and expand their influence in the Senate.